AUDITION TIPS
The right monologue
Familiarise yourself with your strengths and utilise them effectively. Are you able to portray the character convincingly, regardless of their age or the situation they are in? Reflect on whether you can genuinely convey authenticity in the monologue and, if so, how can you achieve this? Would adjusting the character's age to match yours or altering the circumstances to make it a standalone monologue enhance your performance?
Have a journey
It is crucial to depict the transformation of your character throughout their journey. Regardless of whether the monologue begins with happiness and concludes with tragedy, it is essential for the character to start at one point and end up in a different place. Even a subtle change in the middle can create a significant impact, as it alters the character's state. Reflect on why your character is speaking and consider the consequences if they were to stop speaking. Every word in the text serves a purpose, and it is your task to uncover it.
Detail of though
Analyze the reasons behind each line and explore the shift in thoughts and motivations that drive the characters to speak. Uncover the hidden meanings and connections between the lines. Consider the objectives of your characters and the potential consequences if the other character were to stop paying attention.
Talk to someone
It is essential to have a clear understanding of the person you are communicating with, including their relationship to you. Provide specific details about your interactions, their personality, current activities, and age. Consider their emotional state as well. Even in a Shakespearean soliloquy, the character establishes a connection with the audience. Determine whether you want them to support your perspective or not.
Acting is reacting
It is crucial to respond to the actions of others. Prior to speaking, provide a thorough account of the events that occurred. Consider what the other person said or did to trigger your thoughts and prompt you to speak. Observe their actions while you are speaking and analyze the resulting reaction. Determine how you will respond and deliver your next line. Remember, the other person's speech is not necessary for you to react.
Short and sweet
When submitting a monologue or duologue, it is important to avoid making it lengthy. Instead, make it concise and impactful, containing all the necessary elements. If it becomes too long, it becomes crucial to capture our attention and provide a reason for us to continue watching. This can be challenging without the context of the entire play, so keeping it short enables us to grasp everything we require without any potential distractions.
Contrast
When submitting two tapes or more, ensure you have contrast between all of them. Show us your playing range. Be detailed about the work you do on each of them but be aware of making sure all pieces show us something different.
Homework
For that extremely fast audition, it is imperative that you complete all the necessary tasks. Acting requires meticulous and strenuous effort, but you must strive to make it appear effortless during your performance. Consider your goals and the opposing goals you may encounter. What is your objective when interacting with the person you are speaking to? How would you express yourself if certain words were not part of your vocabulary? Additionally, take into account your location. If you were in a library, your state of mind would be completely different compared to conversing with someone in your bedroom. Pay attention to the details of your surroundings, the stakes involved in the situation, and the development of your character and thoughts.
Have fun?
Enjoy the text or task and experiment with different approaches, as you might stumble upon something new. Try performing the monologue (after completing all the necessary preparations) in various scenarios, such as a first date or a boxing match. Through exploration, uncover the insights and revelations that await you.
Attention to request
Ensure you carefully review the application guidelines and adhere to them diligently. Each piece of information requested serves a purpose, and overlooking any detail may result in delays. Collaboration streamlines the process, making it more efficient for everyone involved.
Bring something new
We are interested in witnessing your unique contribution to the piece, rather than replicating what has already been accomplished. How do you distinguish your performance from others? What special element can you introduce that will make viewers exclaim, 'this individual's interpretation is exceptional'?
Set up
To capture your monologue, use your phone to record in landscape mode with a plain background. You don't need an elaborate setup; the focus should be on your acting. However, ensure that you are well-lit, audible, and visible. Opt for a clear background and good lighting, such as positioning yourself in front of a window. This way, you will be both seen and heard. Frame the shot in landscape mode and maintain a mid shot, capturing your shoulders to head.