Acting the Scene

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Acting the Scene

• Acting Auditions and Scenes in Musicals

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• Facts
• Auditions usually last an average of 1 minute
• Everyone listening to your audition WANTS to like
  you
• Everyone is there for 1 reason to cast a musical
  with a creative and talented cast successfully
• Whether you get a part or not, only you know if
  you did your best
• Always remember - getting a part (or not getting
  a part) is not a comment on whether you are
  talented or not. Many times an actor that is
  right for one show is not right for another.

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• Problem
• How do you slow down 55 seconds to appear
  talented, easy-going, articulate, and perfect for
  the role?
• Auditors may ask anything of you, but you are not
  allowed the same privilege
• Solution
• It is hard to appear talented if you have not
  worked on your audition
• If you appear confident you will appear more
  talented
• If you seem like you can go with the flow a
  director will be a lot more apt to cast you

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• Confidence
• Well groomed
• Appropriately dressed for your audition (dance,
  singing, acting might not be the same outfit)
• Speak or sing to someone as if they are
  intelligent and perceptive
• Know what you are doing
• Music should be prepared correctly for the
  accompanist
• Song (or monologue) deeply committed to memory

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• Monologues are Essential
• Once a director has meet you on paper they want
  to see your personality
• Keep in mind that using a monologue for the
  purposes of auditions is artificial
• They should never be longer than 2 minutes - and
  sometimes they are as short as 1 minute (or 2 one
  minute contrasting)
• A monologue on a page is always longer when
  performed

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Monologues continued

• Have a variety ready to perform
• Once youve found a play/song/book or film of a
  writer you enjoy find out what else they have
  written.
• What if they dont write in monologue format?
  Figure out the style of the playwright (fast
  paced and clipped, graceful and expressive, ect)

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Type and your monologue

• What type of role can you play?
• If the casting call doesnt limit who is
  auditioning dont limit yourself
• TV is usually much less likely to cast against
  type than theatre or film
• If you can read the script in advance let that
  lead what monologue you prepare.

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Monologue Books

• A good starting point but for many (lazy) actors
  this is also their ending point
• Look in these books for ideas but dont think you
  are done once youve found it.
• This should be a lengthy process - as long as it
  takes to find your song.

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Types of Acting Auditions

1. Cold Readings - Given a scene or monologue from
   the actual show to briefly prepare and then
   perform. It may be an open or closed audition
   room.
2. Monologues - Generally in MT you are not asked to
   have a prepared monologue, but it never hurts to
   be ready to do one especially when it comes down
   to you and one other person.
3. Callbacks - A combination of the above - you will
   be put into scenes or songs with others being
   considered.

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Audition Procedure

• Ushered into studio, theater, sound stage, etc.
  at the exact time of the audition.
• Give auditors resume and picture
• Stand/announce
• Your name
• Title of selection
• Name of character from selection
• Do not set up scene - most directors will be
  familiar with your material
• When finished allow 5 second pause and give a
  courteous thank you
• Dont apologize for anything

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Remember

• Wear appropriate clothing (singing, dance, and
  acting are different)
• Be kind, courteous, and positive to EVERYONE you
  encounter AT ALL TIMES-- you never know what the
  director will be told after the fact
• Fight your nerves - auditors WANT you to be good
  and if youve prepared you should deliver
• Take water (only) with you
• Dont be surprised if the auditors stop you in
  the middle or before you finish your song, dance,
  or acting piece it simply means they have heard
  what they needed to hear
• Treat every audition as the opportunity to share
  your talent and learn more about yourself as a
  performer and your skills - not as a statement of
  your ultimate talent. A variety of factors go
  into whether an actor is cast in a role (or not).
  

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Monologue Advice

• Like the song make sure it takes the character
  on a journey and has something at stake. \
• Read, REad, REAd, READ
• Like songs watch things that are so popular
  everyone is doing it.
• You can find monologues from other sources, but
  be careful here.

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Monologue Guidelines

• Keep it in the present stay out of the past.
• Leave Dreams for sleeping
• Avoid Rambling Monologues
• If its not working drop it
• Dont write your own monologue
• Keep it active
• Match the monologue to the job

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When performing

• Establish the environment limited movement is
  good
• Who are you speaking to?
• Dont look down but also dont look at the
  auditors (same as singing)
• If you happen to forget your lines keep going
  (ad-lib)

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Acting Audition Essentials

• Know the title of the play and who wrote it.
• Know who your imaginary other is and see them
  when performing.
• Find your staging area when entering the room.
• As you finish let your last note play out.
• Say Thank you
• Be prepared with at least 2 other monologues.

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Scenes in Musicals

• Need to lead up to songs
• Are usually compact and short in length
• Will often only be 2 person scenes (with
  exception obviously)
• Gives information that is necessary for the plot
  to progress
• Was not cut for a reason

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Acting in a Musical Scene

• Requires the actor to make bold choices
• Requires excellent scene partner connections
• Requires an actor to have strong subtext
• Requires an actor to learn lines word for word.