As actors we are told so many things that we are NOT supposed to do. What we should and should not wear. What monologues and songs are taboo and should NEVER be performed. Proper audition etiquette. NEVER perform something FROM the show! Your resume must look EXACTLY like everyone else’s resume. NEVER use an audition piece meant for another sex/race! Don’t look AT the director/casting director when auditioning.
Well I’m here to tell you that I’m tired of all these rules. Rules are meant to be broken. Let me explain. I’m not going rogue or anything. I haven’t lost my marbles. I’m not going to show up to an audition for A Little Night Music wearing a muumuu and gogo boots, singing “Old Man River,” donning a technicolor resume and collage headshot. I still have my common sense and consider myself somewhat sane. Okay MOSTLY sane.
The thing is. I don’t know who made up these rules, but because every single casting director, director, producer, etc. is an individual, these “rules” can’t possibly all be agreed upon by ALL of them. No matter what you do there is no way you can please every single person you audition for. They all want different things.
I used to stress so much over all this stuff that it would affect my audition. I would also spend countless hours trying to figure out what they wanted me to be. I would try to get into the head of the director, psych myself out, not be natural, and NOT get the job. You don’t know what they want, so just do your homework and do your thing. If that’s what they want, they’ll cast you. It’s that simple. Like a friend of mine who happens to be casting director wisely said, “Let me do my job, don’t try to do it for me.”
I’ve noticed myself breaking more and more of the above rules lately. If there is a part I’m really right for in a musical sometimes I just sing a song from the show. I’ve gotten good results from this! You still have to use common sense. Like I would NEVER do that unless I was really right for the part.
I was at an audition recently and the director wanted us to direct the scene to him. The other actor I was with literally said, “But, we aren’t supposed to look at you.” I couldn’t believe it. THAT’S what I’m getting at folks. I know that etiquette is important and that we should come off as professionals at all times, but this is a creative field. You have to be flexible and creative.
You certainly don’t have to listen to me either. Use your OWN common sense. I just call it as I see it.
Peace,
Harmony
