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Things Not To Do At An Audition
by ActorPoint.com

Until you've been auditioning for a while, it's usually difficult to find your own way and style of conducting yourself at the audition. We all have made mistakes and kick ourselves later when we realize how unprofessional or inappropriate it might have been. Hey, that's the only way we learn what not to do again! I've outlined 3 basic things not to do at an audition. These may seem obvious but I've held and sat in on many auditions and you'd be surprised how many actors continue to do them.

Never walk up to the casting director and initiate a hand-shake. If they already have your headshot and resume simply walk in the room, say hello, and find your mark (the place where you'll be delivering your monologue or side from). If you need to hand the CD your headshot and resume when you enter the room, do so but only extend your hand if he initiates it. Some CDs see a few hundred actors in a day and don't feel the need to shake each actor's hand. It's nothing personal, it's just the way it is.

Never deliver your monologue directly into the casting director's eye (or any other person's eye behind the table, for that matter). Pick a spot slightly above or to either side of the CD and focus your attention to that point, as if it's the character you are talking to. Nothing is more awkward than an actor "making" the CD the character in their monologue. It's just like going to see a play. The CD should feel like an outside audience member who is watching an actor who isn't breaking the fourth wall. He also needs to be able to write notes, review your resume, or discuss things with his associates while you're auditioning. If you make him the other character, how difficult will it be to stay focused when he suddenly sips on a cup of coffee?! You get the point.

Never end your monologue by saying "scene." It's a typical actor stereo-type, but a stereo-type nonetheless. When you reach the end of your monologue, hold the last moment for a few short beats then break character and look at the casting director to indicate you're finished. Sometimes actors will take "dramatic pauses" in the middle of their monologue and continue on. Once you're finished, wait for the CD to speak first. He may ask you to make an adjustment and do a portion again, ask what play the monologue is from, ask a question about your availability or simply say "thanks." In any case, you've done your job, reply with a cordial "thanks for your time," "good luck with the project," or "take care" and leave with a big smile on your face because you did the best you can.

When you leave the audition room, focus on what went well and what didn't go so well. Learn from the parts that didn't go so well but don't beat yourself up over these. And finally, leave the audition behind. Don't wait by the phone for the next month. Go back to the drawing board, get your headshots and resumes out there and prepare for your next audition.

Visitor Responses: submit YOUR response below...

Submitted by DaMond :: If you feel the need to shake the casting directors hand do it. We have to stop behaving as if these people are God or royality. Any CD worth their salt is going to be concerned with the your skill not whether you shook their hand. And If you say scene or take a dramatic pause so what! Lets focus on the craft and getting better as artist and cut all the scared to breathe the wrong way Bull@#%$ out. Work on your craft, be proffesionally and keep it moving.

Submitted by Lori :: I think that there is a certain ettiquette to be followed when auditioning, but a handshake might make a person seem more "real." (For the lack of a better word.) I do agree that we should not hold the CD's and Directors as 'Gods.' My input, hope it helps anybody.

Submitted by Angel :: I think the reason a hand shake is not looked favorably on is simply the spreading of germs. With so many people coming and going, they don't want to risk exposure to sickness. I think the dramatic pause is fine. I don't think the writer was implying that it's not. DaMond does have a point though, don't beat yourself up over doing any of these things, focus on what you are there to do - ACT.

Submitted by Monica :: I agree the casting directors are JUST people like us.... however, they are the people who can make or break or careers! They have feelings too. So just maybe, one day a casting director is in a bad mood, and you paused too long or your handshake was too firm or you got TOO excited to meet the CD and yanked their arm. To you, your handshake implied you were genuine. To them, they could view that as trying to hard or kissing up or just plain irritating. SO it's best not to touch them, nor ware your welcome out. Just go in there, do your thing, and get out and thank them for their time. That's it. And after the interview and audition is over, send a postcard. Suck up that way!

Submitted by Mariana :: In my opinion my advice is do what feels right. Don't worry about what to do and what not to do, feel confident in yourself and your acting. Sure you're looking to them to get the job but that doesn't mean that we should degrade ourselves. They are no better than we are. Just forget your worries and let your love and passion for acting show.

May 18 2007

Toni on Sep 20 2007

Boy what egos! And I'm talking about the responses, not the article. You are so important that they must pay attention to you according to how you see fit. This is probably why you haven't gotten that part you always wanted. It should be the acting that is important, but a good CD casts not just according to acting but whether production can work with you or not. If you come off cocky, you will not get the part no matter what you do, even if you are good. So go into an audition as though you are going to work. Address the audience, which consists of the CD, assistants and sometimes the director whom they will take all focus off so you don't even know they are there. Say hello to everyone, find your spot, get into character and go.
Also you confused the dramatic pause mention - the point there was, don't act to the CD because if they start looking like they are doing something else, they will throw you off. You will feel slighted, mess up and definitely not get the part. Oh and if you have long dramatic pauses, don't engage the CD and they won't call time on you - I've seen actors storm off saying "but I wasn't finished yet!"
But it's your call, it's your career.

Robin on Sep 20 2007

I really liked all your comments. Reading them all together makes an audition seem less stressful, then blow it. Never feel as anyone has the upper hand on you. Because one day, we as actors will be where we want to be and it may not be that director or that CD. Maybe the next one. But if we keep on keeping on, we will get where we want to go. Thats why we have dreams, so we can go out there and make them come true. Don't fear them, they can't stand in our way, just make us better. I like the attitude about pausing, thank you, and walk away with a smile with your head up high, (even if it didn't go as you wanted it to) This is just my way of thinking. You all helped so much, along with the writer of this website. Thank you all!
Editor Note: Thanks, Robin, for the feedback. I'm glad you continue to find our site helpful! -Josh

John C Lucas on Oct 01 2007

I have to agree with DaMond's first comment. Be confident and project that when you walk in to an audition. Do not be afraid of any CD or their staff. If you are a professional then let that come out for them to see. Don't be hesitant in whatever you do. Remember the old cliche "Never let 'em see ya sweat"? Yep. Go ahead and be real and shake their hand and smile, for crying out loud.

SK on Nov 24 2007

Regarding hand shakes, The writer of this article was in no way trying to suggest that the CD is some God like person to be intimidated by. Casting directors are there to do their job. Fill the role with hopefully one of the people being seen that day for auditions.

There is nothing personal about it, it's all business from their end and likewise it should be from the actor reading for them.

There is a mutual respect, which goes both ways (on both sides of the table) If the CD extends their hand for you to shake it, then by all means shake their hand. But leave that up to them to initiate. Besides, your head shot and resume is your handshake. Think about this, for every single audition you get called in for, they are seeing hundreds of people. Your five minutes added against the other hundreds reading for that role means a lot of wasted time shaking hands. I don't mean wasted time in a derogatory way either. They want to see you act, how you present yourself, but most importantly if you fit their mental image for the character you are reading for.

If you come in and "run the show" your way, it flags you as someone who does what they want instead of listening. If that's how you want to conduct yourself, become a director instead of an actor. Our job as actors is to perform within the guidelines dictated by the director, plain and simple.
Just go in and do your thing (read for them) and then let them do theirs, which is more than likely seeing the next hundred people reading that day.

Allie on Jan 29 2008

No, they are not gods, but they are the people giving you your job, the people YOU have to make a GOOD impression on. This is a job, and like most jobs, there are people that you have to impress because if you do, they might send in a good word for you. The casting directors can and do talk to your agents so be as professional as you can. Be as professional as you can. Though these people are not gods, they ARE important to make a good impression on AND would it KILL you to keep your hand to yourself? I think not.

-Allie

p.s.
please don't try to cuss on the computer and then not type the whole word. it looks stupid. and there's no need.