Don't be rude

A friend of mine who is a Producer/Director was recently holding auditions. He was producing this particular show but decided to hang around the auditions, not in the audition room. A guy came in who had changed his appointment but showed up at his "original" time. The producer tried to engage this actor in conversation saying - "Have I seen you somewhere before?" The actor replied -"I don't know, have you?" When the guy came out of the audition room he said "she wanted a character analysis" and stormed out. Producer found out the director had asked "who is your character talking to? He answered "I don't know, I don't have time for this shit" - and left.

2 morals of this story:
1st- know your character, know who you are talking to and be ready to answer questions!
THEN -
 I tell my Hedda Gabler example in every audition class I teach.
         In an audition if a director ask you to play Hedda Gabler like a cheerleader - DO IT. They are just trying to see if you can take direction. 99.9 % of them do not believe Hedda is a cheerleader!

2nd - Don't be rude. Answer questions politely, make conversation if someone engages you, and as long as it is a reasonable request -  do what your asked! (Not resonable -don't jump off buildings or take your clothes off in front of a camera in some "producer's" basement!  )

Seeing shows-finding material

(Links are included this post - click and have fun!)

Well - due to the URL confusion I have not been able to Post Building Your Book just yet. So some quick advice on finding new material other than Read Read Read - is SEE SEE SEE

This weekend I am seeing 3 of the 6 Village Original Shows. Over the past two weeks I have seen Ruined at Intiman, Man of LaMacha at Taproot, Yankee Diner at ACT and the new play WOOF! by Y York still in the workshop phase.

I have seen some great theatre over the past two weeks. Ruined has some great scenes for you KCACTF lookers - Yankee Diner has some great Men's monos - read them to make sure they are not M&Ms. I am pretty sure there are Active and M&Ms. WOOF! has a pleathera of material. In Your Eyes has wonderful material for teenagers. Some of these may be hard to get a hold of because they are so new. There are ways however...but this is a short post!Yeah that was a teaser! Have a lovely Sunday and SEE A SHOW!

So - SEE SHOWS!!!

Choosing a Monolgue Part 2. Why an Active Monologue?

Why an Active Monologue?

Simply put and active monologue has an active objective. You -the character -want something right now. This means that -right now- you are pursuing an objective, varying your tactics and hopefully your stakes are high. That is what you want to show an auditor. You know how to make e a choice, you know how to go after it. Hopefully you know more than one way to pursue what you want. If it’s a good monologue it may have more than one objective and it DEFINILTY has more than one tactic.

I only recommend using a memory monologue when you are auditioning for a play that uses memory storytelling as the main modality. i.e. The Exonerated, Juvie, Runawys, A Chorus Line, The Weir, Still Life etc. The objectives in story monologues are not always clear, they are more about telling a story and sometimes you reveal your main intent at the end of the monologue. Memory monologues can also become self-indulgent – but let’s save that for another post!

This doesn’t mean M&Ms don’t elicit emotions. They are often entertaining and moving. Paul’s monologue in A Chorus Line is one of the most powerful moments of theatre I’ve experienced. Ruined has several memory storytelling moments that brought me to tears. In my opinion they are better suited for performance, not for auditioning.

Before you Auditon

Before You Audition

If you are an adult reading this blog and you have never done a show or taken a class –

Get Thee To a Class. I’m not saying you have to have a four year degree before you audition, but take a class and acclimate yourself to the world of theatre.

Learn the basic vocabulary. Get some experience under your belt, find your sea legs – insert metaphor here – but get some experience. You are entering a competitive field. Raw talent is great and if you have it – Yay! Talent will only get you so far. Hard work, determination, being prepared, being easy to work with and knowing your business is what gets you the job after the first job. The story’s of being discovered walking your dog (David Boreanez from Buffy, Angel and Bones) are FEW and FAR between.

There are techniques, skills, basic vocabulary, knowledge and plain old stamina – way more than this blog post has room for – that will help you in your pursuit of becoming an Actor. Take a class and then audition for one of the many amazing smaller or community theatres we have in Seattle (or your local theatre!). I have posted links to some local places to take class and Theatre Puget Sound that posts classes, auditions etc.

Be smart when signing up for a class. Is it a studio that’s been around a while, a new group with some hot new teachers? Just ask around and make sure some people know who they are. Even better, find someone who has had experience with them. Check out their website or blog.

If you live in a small community and you are just out to have some fun – audition. See what happens. Some people – David Mamet among them – believe you should only do shows. He feels this is how you learn the craft of theatre. I do not believe that is the best way and definitley NOT the ONLY way. Will it help? Yes. Will you get better every show you do? Yes. But class affords you time to personally examine habits, chose when and when not to use them, explore techniques and grow into a more versitale actor. But if you’re just out to have fun – go for it! Ok – enough about that!

For my students and others who have a bit of theatrical experience head to Choosing a Monologue!

Introduction - How to use this blog

When I tell people I’m an actress and that I teach theatre a burning question inevitably finds a place in our conversation: How does one audition?

This blog shares my personal knowledge and experience with the audition process in the Seattle area. Please read my short philosophy before you dive in and start to comment.

Check the Archives. The titles will guide you.

Theatre is subjective. Therefore, everything I say is right- and wrong - for someone.

However, I have had a lot of experiences with a lot of directors, producers, actors and musicians. Although I will never (never say never) say there is an "industry standard" (see my post on that!) I would say there are some practices and guidlines that 95% of the theatre community follow. I will share these practices within each section from Choosing a Monologue to Walking into the Audition Room.

Enjoy and may you find success. When you do – I am more than happy to accept my 10%! J Serioulsy, I would love to hear how you are doing and what helps the most! Please post.

Happy Auditioning!