At an audition I am on my best behavior. I wish I could say that of all the folks on the other side of the table. Many are great. They greet you, watch your work with patience, thank you for coming in. There are a few, however …
So, let’s just go over the “don’t” list, all of which I have unfortunately encountered.
- Please don’t take my resume, during my monologue, and scrunch it up in your hand and place it in a trash bag next to you.
- Please don’t take your pen and draw a big line through my resume, then slam it down in the (clearly) “no” pile during my audition.
- Please don’t spend my audition reading my resume like it is War and Peace.
- Please don’t assume I am a mind-reader. If you want me to direct my monologue to you (or not), just let me know.
- Please don’t take calls, have side conversations or text during my audition.
- Please don’t sit there with a martini and then yell at me in the middle of my monologue (yep, it happened).
- Please try, just try, to look like this isn’t the worst day of your life as you watch my audition. I know you are busy, stressed, tired. We are in theatre. Fake polite interest.
Bottom line — your theatre called the audition. Actors have worked to prepare 60-90 seconds of something for you. As part of the partnership, give us that time to show you what we got.
Thanks!