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.