As an actor, auditioning is a huge part of your job. But, if you’re like a lot of my clients, once you get the audition you may feel overwhelmed by how you’ll prepare for it in a way that leaves you feeling professional, confident, and relaxed when you’re in the room.
Not to worry! I came up with a nerve-busting 3-Part Audition Checklist that I’m happy to share with you.
Basically, I follow specific steps when I get the audition, the night before, and the day of. Using my checklist enables me to enter the audition room prepared, calm, and confident. It has changed my entire relationship with auditioning for the better.
Ready to get the goods? Let’s get started with Part 1:
You Got an Audition!
1. Calendar
Write down all pertinent info, like the name and address of the casting director, in your calendar. Look up directions, if necessary, and add those to your calendar. Write down when you will need to leave to get to the audition, and allow yourself extra time for train delays or traffic.
2. Research
If you’re not familiar with the casting director, director, and producers, do a search on IMDb to see what they’ve worked on.
3. Read
As soon as possible, read everything you received – character description, your sides, and the entire script if they sent it.
4. Tone
If you’re not familiar with the show, try to watch an episode or at least part of an episode to get the tone. If it’s a brand new show, find out as much as you can about who created it, and make an educated guess about the tone.
5. Work It Out
This is where you get to do what you do best! Rehearse your sides until you are uber confident in whatever way that works for you. Be sure to run it with a real live person, too.
6. Wardrobe
Decide what you’re going to wear, and write it down in your calendar. Make sure it’s clean, pressed, and ready to go.
7. Hair
This one is mostly for the ladies, but decide how you will style your hair. If it’s something different than you’re used to, do a trial run.
When I was first starting out, I was incredibly enthusiastic when I got an audition. (Still am!) I would work on the audition material like a pro. But sometimes I’d wait until the last minute to figure out what I was going to wear, which would often turn into a mad scramble of getting ready. Then, inevitably, I’d realize I didn’t leave myself enough time to get to the audition, making me rushed and a ball of nerves. Now that I have my checklist – no more surprises! I can arrive at my audition calm, cool, and collected.
Next week, I’ll share Checklist Part 2 – The Night Before.
Now it’s your turn. What steps do you take when you first receive your audition time slot? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.