Thinking About Auditioning with Farmington Players?

Thinking about auditioning for a role in a theater production? Here are some tips to making it an enjoyable and successful experience:

1. Relax! It may be easier said than done, but as an amateur actor in a community theatre, you're there to have fun (otherwise why are you doing it?).

2. Develop a positive attitude. Think of the benefits: an audition gives you the opportunity to show your acting chops, to have your talents recognized and to practice your acting and auditioning skills. What’s more, an audition is a great place to meet people with similar interests and talents.

3. Check the play’s rehearsal and production schedule before you audition. After all, if you're not available on a performance date, there's no reason to continue. Most directors provide a list of "gotta' be there" dates such as technical rehearsal, dress rehearsal, etc, and ask for any conflicts you anticipate during the rehearsal period.

4. Read the play. Read the play. Then read the play again. Some plays use language, syntax and phrasing that may be unfamiliar to you - you'll want to figure all that out so you're not stumbling over your words when it’s your turn on the stage.

5. Develop an understanding of the characters and their motivations. Practice reading the dialogue out loud. This is especially important when the play will require a specific accent - auditionees who can read with the script-appropriate accent will usually have a leg up on those who can't.

6. Most often in community theatres, the director will specify "cuts" to be used in the audition (these are specific pages from the script that will be read during the audition process). If you have that information ahead of time, you can rehearse those specific scenes to prepare for the audition. However, ALWAYS read the entire play as well.

7. Sometimes, even community theaters will audition prospects with monologues. This means that you must arrive prepared to deliver a one to three minute scene from a script of your choosing; it must be memorized and polished. Try to choose a scene that showcases your individual talents, and a scene where the character is dynamic and changing. Your goal is to showcase a bit of your range as an actor and to be remembered.

8. Requirements for the audition will always be listed in the audition notice, so you'll know what's expected before you go.

9. Keep yourself open to the idea of playing any role the director sees you in. Why limit your chances?      

10. Remember this: The director wants you to audition well and is eager for you to knock their socks off. They're on your side! After all, they have a show to cast and are praying that the perfect actor for each role will be apparent at the audition. It only makes their job casting and directing the show easier!