Clammy hands, jittery nerves, a rumbling bumbling deep in the tummy...it's definitely that time of the year again. Auditions! Now, it's always a nerve-wracking thing, these auditions, and I suppose unless you are already such an established presence on the stage, there is always the said symptoms that arise when trying out for a character in front of a few judges....and even then I'm inclined to believe that even the best of us will succumb to such jittery emotions every now and then.
But really, speaking about auditions, I have come to find that auditions for a stage production, and song auditions are very different things. It is, of course one thing to go up and sing to one's best capacities, another completely different issue when it is about embodying a character that you have not even come to know. But at least I am allowed to (if I so choose) bring my own monologue which, I believe is the most prudent thing for me as a method actor to do. But even so, what to choose? What to say?
Of course throughout my experience on the stage (which is still comparatively short) I find that there are a few golden rules one tend to adhere to while auditioning for stage productions but perhaps, for the benefit of the less informed of my readers I should just proceed to list them here;
Step one. It is always best to consider as many options as you can. That is to say, just because a person has one thing in mind, that does not necessarily mean that he is safe. Indeed, I consider it more than prudent to keep one's mind open and browse just about as many monologues and dialogues as one can get their hands off.
Step two. Speak according to your personal character. That is to say, not that one should merely stick with roles that resemble themselves, rather, roles that are appropriate to one's physical appearence. Of course it goes without saying that if you were a male, for heaven's sakes let's try to audition with monologues by male characters.
Similarly, try to act your age...or at least around you age range. It is usually more convincing and of more impact (I find) during an audition for one to embody characters of a similar age which really enables for a more convincing delivery of the dialogue. It's not that far off if you think about it; imagine an 50-year old auditioning for the role of the adolescent romeo?
It would also help if your physical build matched that of the description of the character. (The description was, after all, offered for a reason!)
Step 3. Choose a script that suits the type of play you are auditioning for. Typically, if the play is something set in contemporary America, avoid at all costs auditioning with a script from, say, one of William Shakespeare's collection and vice versa.
Step 4. When choosing a monologue, make sure it is was originally written as a monologue. Many people try to improvise with dialogues and cut out the lines of other actors in an attempt to construct a monologue of their own. This, unfortunately is usually a failure.
and last, but not least
Step 5. Keep it short and sweet. The monologue in mind should never extend more than 3 minutes.
Keeping all of this in mind, I suppose one can say it is actually pretty easy to go for a stage audition. But of course, there are always more sensitive issues to consider. Issues like the one I am facing now. Clammy hands, jittery nerves, a rumbling bumbling deep in the tummy
PEACE OUT
