If actors think its tough going to auditions they should step on the other side of the curtain and try hosting their first one! While there are many pieces to organizing a successful audition, breaking it into the following steps should make it easier!
You’ve already picked your script, hopefully you have your crew and a theatre.
1. Prepare your audition materials. Take your script and select several scenes that you feel give you a good idea of what your potential actors are capable of. Remember not to pick all the same kind of stuff. It might be exciting to pick all highly emotional material but you may want to know if your leading man can carry on a convincing conversation. Also, now is the time to decide if you would like to hear prepared monologues, improv scenes or any other “special elements”. Once you have decided what all you will be using, make enough clearly marked copies to go around for two or three groups of actors at one time. Allowing them at least a little time to look over the material will make it easier for you and them.
2. Prepare your audition form and rehearsal schedule. You will need some kind of method for keeping track of all those wonderful performances. An audition form is the easiest way to do this. You may also want to ask actors to provide headshots and resumes, or you might take digital or Polaroid pictures to help you remember who’s who. Here is a copy of the form we use. Rehearsal schedules should be available to actors at the audition. Include all known rehearsal and performance dates and times. The more detail the better. Make sure your actors know what they are committing to.
3. Promote your audition. Setting your date two or three weeks ahead of promoting the audition will be more likely to insure you a good turn out. Be sure to invite all of your former actors, students and supporters, then make sure you get your notice in every free calendar of events you can. You might want to send out a press release. Notices in the form of flyers can also be posted at high schools, universities, acting schools etc. The more people you invite the better your turn out, the better your chances of finding the people you need.
4. Hold your audition. Never been to one? Find one to observe, or go audition for something before putting people through it. Be sure you treat everyone with respect. Simon Cowell gets paid millions to be a jerk, trust me, act like him and ask for volunteer actors and you will do a lot of one man shows! Try to keep things moving, no one likes to have their time wasted! Make sure to say thank you to the actors, you never know what they might be right for the next time around, or how much they may grow before you see them again, never burn bridges! Once you’ve seen what you need keep those forms, you can call them the next time you have a project to cast! Now get on with casting and rehearsal!
You’ve already picked your script, hopefully you have your crew and a theatre.
1. Prepare your audition materials. Take your script and select several scenes that you feel give you a good idea of what your potential actors are capable of. Remember not to pick all the same kind of stuff. It might be exciting to pick all highly emotional material but you may want to know if your leading man can carry on a convincing conversation. Also, now is the time to decide if you would like to hear prepared monologues, improv scenes or any other “special elements”. Once you have decided what all you will be using, make enough clearly marked copies to go around for two or three groups of actors at one time. Allowing them at least a little time to look over the material will make it easier for you and them.
2. Prepare your audition form and rehearsal schedule. You will need some kind of method for keeping track of all those wonderful performances. An audition form is the easiest way to do this. You may also want to ask actors to provide headshots and resumes, or you might take digital or Polaroid pictures to help you remember who’s who. Here is a copy of the form we use. Rehearsal schedules should be available to actors at the audition. Include all known rehearsal and performance dates and times. The more detail the better. Make sure your actors know what they are committing to.
3. Promote your audition. Setting your date two or three weeks ahead of promoting the audition will be more likely to insure you a good turn out. Be sure to invite all of your former actors, students and supporters, then make sure you get your notice in every free calendar of events you can. You might want to send out a press release. Notices in the form of flyers can also be posted at high schools, universities, acting schools etc. The more people you invite the better your turn out, the better your chances of finding the people you need.
4. Hold your audition. Never been to one? Find one to observe, or go audition for something before putting people through it. Be sure you treat everyone with respect. Simon Cowell gets paid millions to be a jerk, trust me, act like him and ask for volunteer actors and you will do a lot of one man shows! Try to keep things moving, no one likes to have their time wasted! Make sure to say thank you to the actors, you never know what they might be right for the next time around, or how much they may grow before you see them again, never burn bridges! Once you’ve seen what you need keep those forms, you can call them the next time you have a project to cast! Now get on with casting and rehearsal!
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