The Third Interview (College Student)

*Ms. Aulbaugh is a college student, and currently studying for a theatre major.*

Have you noticed any constants with college auditions, which don’t vary from director to director?

College auditions are always the same. 2 contrasting monologues in a 3 minute time slate. You audition for every show that semester in one audition in front of the directors, department head, costume designer, set designer, etc.

Have you ever made any blunders (or seen blunders) that you regret (or assume the other person regrets) during an audition?

I cannot watch other's auditions, but I have seen people mess up in audition classes where they stop in the middle of their performance and run out of the room. It's embarrassing to watch.

Have you ever done something particularly impressive, which gained the attention of the director?

I think I impress directors with my improv skills. Some of my professors have told me I specifically excel in improv and should go to an improv school.

What general audition tips have you received from others in theatre, or else learned from your life experience?

Audition tips off the top of my head, I would say to be prepared and be extra prepared. Be early and don't waste their time because they want you to be what they are looking for.

The Second Interview (Theatre Veteran)

*Forrest Attaway has been acting since he started in high school nearly 25 years ago, and has directed and written shows for over 15 years.*

Have you noticed any constants with college auditions, which don’t vary from director to director?

The only constant is usually the time you have to audition. It traditionally is about 5 minutes, They either want two contrasting pieces or one piece and a song (16 measures)

Have you ever made any blunders (or seen blunders) that you regret (or assume the other person regrets) during an audition?

Working professionally for the past twenty years I have not had to audition. I am usually approached by theatres while they are deciding on their seasons, so I'm traditionally precast. So the last time I auditioned I made a huge blunder- I FORGOT MY HEADSHOT AND RESUME! - because it had been over a decade since any one had asked me for one.

Have you ever done something particularly impressive, which gained the attention of the director?

I crashed an audition in New York I wasn't invited to. I happened to be in the lobby of a building waiting on a rehearsal to start when the SM for a casting call came out and called for someone (who was in the bathroom). I pretended I was them, went in and read for the role, won it on the spot, then had to explain to the casting director why I wasn't on their list.

What general audition tips have you received from others in theatre, or else learned from your life experience?

You should never think of it as an audition, traditionally casting directors have a certain type in mind. They may love your audition and you just don't fit their ideal. The term audition has a negative connotation it. Like you're competing against yourself or something. You should look at it as a job interview, and keep in mind you are auditioning them as much as they are auditioning you. So just be yourself, never be nervous, it's a very small part of what we do.

The First Interview (College Director)

   *This interview was conducted with Ms. LaDona Davis, a retired director for the Trinity Valley Community College theatre department.*

What do you consider the “musts” of a student who attends an audition (whether it’s attire, paperwork, behavioral patterns, or something else)?

If the auditions are "cold", meaning no scripts ahead of time, what I would consider a must would be to come dressed comfortably but nice. IF you know the play and have a particular "character" in mind, dressing somewhat like that character "may" give one an edge. Be professional.

Do you have any audition horror stories, where someone who auditioned did something which ruined their chances of getting a part, or at least greatly hurt their acting reputation?

Other than acting foolish or being rude, my answer would be no. Most who have auditioned for me have been very considerate of each other and eager to read any part asked.

Conversely, do you have any examples of auditions which were executed flawlessly, and made the student stick in your mind (in a positive way)?

 Yes. No specifics in mind but when you "see and hear" that ONE special performer, you know "that's the one I want".

Is there preparation that you generally expect from students other than the usual memorized monologue and printed resume?

Not generally.

For a new-to-acting student at any college who wishes to audition for a play, what tips would you give them to facilitate a good audition?

      Talk with the director or theatre person if possible. Find out as much about the play and the character you may want to audition for and have a positive attitude.

The Podcast (Warm-ups and Behavior)

A Podcast on warm-ups, and some important bits of decorum during auditions.

The (Audition) Infographic

Stage Fright (Guest Post)

Guest Poster: Dylan Black

A common problem for actors and performers of all kinds, stage fright can be a very real concern.  In some of the worst cases, it can lead to you freezing up on the stage, forgetting lines, or even breaking down. While stage fright can be a difficult thing to deal with, there are ways of treating it in order to help practice and ensure that nothing major goes wrong during performance.

A typical way of dealing with stage fright can also begin as one of the hardest: repeated exposure. By practicing your lines, movements, and performance ahead of time you can have an easier time recalling what you're supposed to be doing. For those who still have a hard time dealing with an audience during performance, a good method of practicing would be to ask some of your friends to come watch your performance, so that you have a test audience. Since performing in front of friends is typically easier than performing for strangers, this should help you get some good practice in. It may take ten, twenty, or even thirty times practicing before you feel confident enough to go before a foreign audience, but it's often different for each person.

For those with particularly heavy social anxiety, another solution is medication. If the medication is prescribed by a doctor, anti-anxiety meds can be very effective in treating stage fright and social anxiety. Medication can help calm down the nerves, although a dependence on such drugs can also have its appropriate side effects. Of course, this option should be done only with a doctor's approval, and could be dangerous otherwise.

If neither of the above work for you, there's always a more recreational approach to calming yourself down before a performance. While some of us have had to study up until minutes before a test at some point, sometimes the best option is to simply relax before you have to perform. Before performing, take some time to rest, and relax. Some simple methods of relaxing are drinking tea, gathering your thoughts, lighting incense candles, or even taking a short nap. Giving your mind a period of rest before application can help keep you focused on the task ahead.

While many people deal with stage fright, it's understandable that different people will find what works best for them in dealing with it. Since stage fright is a very real concern, it should be treated as such, and hopefully one of the three methods listed here works for you. If you take away anything, at least keep in mind that stage fright is common from time to time, and that others are usually more than happy to help you overcome it.

**Dylan Black also maintains his own blog, discussing the topic of The Progression of Video Games Over Time. I (Dalton) have in turn shared some of my experience with the topic of video game progression on Dylan's blog. Also, I wish to further emphasize the importance of discussing the use of medication with your doctor before practicing such methods. Medication can have many positive and negative effects, and those most be weighed carefully both by yourself and by a professional.**

The Appropriate Attire

The appropriate attire for your college audition can be somewhat difficult to discern. Sometimes you’ll be able to come in with a t-shirt and jeans, other times you’ll want to wear an outfit in the “business casual” range of professionalism. Determining the correct clothes to wear can be achieved by asking the casting director, or someone who’s auditioned for them before or knows them well.

Even if you are allowed to wear “whatever you want”, though, try to avoid wearing clothes that have distracting designs or imagery on them. This can distinguish you from the rest of those auditioning, but not necessarily in a positive way. Personally, I've worn jeans and a simply-designed button-up short sleeve for many of my college auditions without being chastised, but I've also heard students who are assisting the director complain about how casual some of the auditioning actor’s outfits are. You can potentially wear an outfit that reflects the character you wish to portray, but that is a fine line to walk. The best way to avoid issues with appropriate audition-wear, other than through queries with the director and their associates, is to have something fitting in the business-casual category as a default outfit. For auditions, it’s better to come over-dressed than under-dressed.

You may also be inclined to wear shirts from previous performances, as a subtle way of showing your past experience. Honestly, if you think you can pull off wearing a t-shirt that boasts your inclusion in the college’s most recent rendition of “Bye Bye Birdie” at the audition, then it isn't necessarily a bad idea. Casting directors certainly appreciate proof of previous experience in theatrical performances, which is why you bring a resume to auditions. A shirt obtained from a performance, however, may make the casting director think you are being too insistent of your previous work, so tread carefully. In general, t-shirts are best avoided for any audition, even if the audition is labeled “casual” or “come as you normally dress”.