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Acting How To: First Audition And What To Expect

Answers to various acting questions I get from aspiring actors and actresses.

Q: I was wondering if you have any tips or advice on how to audition? I have my first audition coming up for an acting academy. I'm nervous and don't know what to expect.

A: I'll do my best here...first of all, congrats on the audition! 

That's always fun, if not a bit nerve-wracking. Dress comfortably. Not sweats, but casual and what makes YOU feel comfortable, unless they are asking for a specific look. Do your makeup as if you were just hanging out with friends. 

Being physically comfortable is very important in my opinion, as it's one less thing that can distract you and you'll need all of your focus on your acting performance. It doesn't hurt to bring the copies of the monologues along, so you may as well. 

The biggest, number one, most important thing in an audition is to be prepared and actually ACT. If you don't have that going for you, the rest of it won't matter a shred. The best advice I can give anyone before they begin auditioning is to think as if THEY were looking for an actor. 

What would YOU look for and why? 

You would probably want an actor or actress that you can rely on, that is professional, that knows what they are doing, that is confident and that can act really really really well. As you're trying out for an acting academy, they have their own criteria that they will be judging you on, so don't even think about it. You'll never know anyway, so it's a waste of time.

Focus on getting your monologues down really solid. Like backwards, forwards, upside down and sideways...you should know that material better than you know your own face. Then, act your heart out, be bold and take chances. You literally can't screw up, because, if you are going to really pursue this life of professional acting, you're going to have about 10,000 more auditions in the future. 

You'll only get better as you go. I hope this helps, best of luck!

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As always, if you have any questions or thoughts, or would just like to share some of your successes, please feel free to drop me a line.  I actually answer them.

Best of Luck out there and remember, you can't fail if you don't quit.

D.L. White