Some MORE Auditioning Tips for Actors and Wanna-Be Actors

We may be in the summer holidays, but many people are still auditioning for shows and preparing for drama school applications. Here’s my TOP TEN TIPS on Auditioning

1) BE YOURSELF – you’re the only person that they want to meet. Be yourself, be the best version of yourself possible. Don’t try to be something you’re not, on the other hand, you are there to sell yourself, so don’t be a mute mouse.

2) FUCK UPS – If you make a mistake, forget it, move on, if you fluff a line, forget it, move on. Don’t stop, don’t ask for another go, they’re already thinking about the next person. Don’t show. Don’t present your problems.

3) LEARN THE LINES – I can’t say this enough times, show up and know the lines, you can still make mistakes. I had a student called Llandyll who practiced his lines well over 200 times, he was still fresh and interesting when he did his performance, he still made a mistake, but no one but him noticed.

4) CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR – You are there to get a job or a place on a course. Act how towards your panel in the manner that you wish to be treated. Remember, it’s a formal environment.

5) DROP THE EXCUSES – don’t have a single excuse for anything, do what they’ve asked, impress the hell out of them. Excuses are just ways to get special treatment. The competition is too good for you to excuse your way into a role or a place.

6) DON’T SWEAT THE MONOLOGUE – Just pick one, don’t spend ages worrying if the auditors have seen it a million times. They’re there to see your work, not your choice of monologue.

7) BREATHE – It’s important that you breath, nervousness can really cripple you, can really pull you back from showing off what you can do well. Keep breathing, your life will not end if you don’t get a place this year.

8) DON’T SEEM DESPERATE – This is essential. I was recently at a inteview when some of the candidates seemed absolutely desperate for it, but desperation is NEVER an attractive quality. I was relaxed and happy to be there, I got it.

9) CHARMING – Be a charming, happy, intelligent professional, that’s your attitude, your demeanor towards the audition panel. Approachable, not aloof. Grounded, not off with the fairies. Don’t be smarmy, don’t consider yourself the best, go and do your audition, be a sweetie to everyone and leave with your head held high.

10) THE END RESULT IS NOT YOUR BUSINESS – You have no control over whether they like you or not, regardless of how good you are, they will pick, well or badly, rightly or wrongly. Never argue with them, don’t ask for feedback, don’t moan, just start preparing for the next audition.

I hope this helps!