Yesterday I had an audition for a play that I think I would be really good in. It is a comedy that would also involve a lot of improv, and I LOVE improv. But let me start by telling you how it went and how I prepared for the audition. Well, the morning started out okay, but it quickly became stressful because I had other things on my plate besides the audition. That's usually how it is. Sometimes I barely have time to think about things before I am thrust into the arena and forced to perform. Yesterday was no different. I knew what monologue I was going to do- it was one I have done before, so I wasn't really nervous about it. But then other things I had to do started getting me stressed, so I started getting stressed about the audition too! I practised my monologue a couple times in the car, and my boyfried was with me, and he kept making me so mad because he was singing every word I said. He always does that, and it is SO irritating. I mean, he gave me a ride to the audition, but he didn't have to TORTURE me the whole way. To top it off, I was running behind schedule. I wanted to be there about 15 mins early, but it ended up I that I was barely there on time.
Anyway, I was stressed before the audition, but I took a deep breath in the car, marched into the theatre, signed in, and waited for my turn. Oftentimes auditions feel like you're waiting for the guillotine to come down on you, unfortunately. This one was kind of like that. I was worried I would mess up my monologue because I was stressed and hungry and not thinking straight. BUT, when they called my name I put on a smile and tentatively walked in. There were 5 people in the room, and this was a theatre where I haven't done any shows yet, so I didn't know any of these people- and that can be a bad and a good thing. Bad in that it's nerve-racking, but good in that you potentially never have to see these people again if you totally suck. Well, I went up there, chit-chatted a little with the director, and then dove in.
By the way, I still have to learn this myself, but don't worry if other people in the room whisper things to each other during your audition. This totally wigs me out too, but they're probably not even talking about you. Or if they are, no worries, it might be something nice, or something as innocent as: "her tag is sticking out of her shirt"... it's not always something as sinister as: "she is too fat and ugly for this part, what is she thinking?" I prefer to think positively, or at least, I prefer to think that people are not completely evil.
Anyway, I think I did my monologue well, even though nobody laughed. It was a comedic monologue. Yeah... Oh well! Then the director asked me to act out a particular situation without words- a little improv, which was fun. THEN he asked me to say something in my New York and French accents. That was when I had a mini heart-attack! My mind went completely blank! I can do those accents well, which is why I have them listed on my resume, but I never expected to be asked to demonstrate them in a preliminary audition. This should be a lesson to all: Always have something prepared to say in the accents you have listed on your resume!!! If you say you can do a New York and French accent, have something prepared to say in those accents in case they ask you to exhibit them!!
When they asked me my mind went blank and NOT ONLY could I not think of ANYTHING to say in those particular accents, but I couldn't even remember how to DO the accents!!!! I finally said, "give me something to say and I'll say it in a New York accent," and the director gave me something to say, which I did in an ADEQUATE accent (damn nerves!). Then he asked me to say part of my monologue in a French accent, which I must have done really well, because he laughed pretty hard!
With that my audition was over, but I think it went pretty well overall, because the director asked me if I was available the night of callbacks, which of course, I am always available for! I'm going to keep my fingers crossed!!!!
SO, here are some lessons I learned from this audition:
Practice the accents you have listed on your resume, and NEVER lie or exaggerate about your abilites- that would just be bad!
Practice your monologue a few times before the audition, even if you know it and have used it before. It is good to refresh it and get back into the character.
Always give yourself enough time to prepare for the audition and enough time to get to the audition location.
Don't stress out! That can ruin any kind of preparation you did!
Don't let the auditioners wig you out!
And... always try to just let your personality shine through!
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