Demand for places at well regarded drama schools and actors’ workshops is high, so it is important to make sure you are well prepared for your audition. Here are some tips to help you make the most of the opportunity and impress the audition panel.
Choose appropriate material
The drama school may specify the type of material, such as a monologue from a play, or a song if it is for musical theatre. The main point is to show off your abilities as a performer, so if you have free rein pick a piece that really resonates with you.
If you genuinely understand and connect with the emotional state of the character, this will shine through. However it’s important that you are comfortable and confident in the material and do not feel as though you are overstretching yourself.
Be prepared
Once you have selected your piece, practice and memorise it until you can recite it back to front. If you are struggling to remember the words, this will detract from your performance.
Practice saying the lines out loud rather than just reading them in your head, and ask family or friends to listen to you rehearse so that you have a stepping stone between the privacy of your house and the semi-public audition room.
Be yourself
Once you have selected your material and are comfortable with delivering it, don’t worry too much about trying to please the audition panel or try too hard to be what they might be looking for. The panel will want to see your authentic self.
They will not be expecting a seasoned performer, but they want to know where your real talent and potential lies, so don’t be afraid to let your individual light shine.
Be open to others
The audition panel will be looking for people that they can work with and help to develop as an actor. Be open to the staff and other students that you meet and curious about the culture of the school. If the panel gives you directions, listen and take time to digest what they are saying, and be willing to collaborate with others if you are asked to.
Don’t be thrown by making mistakes
It’s not the end of the world if you make a mistake during your audition. The panel will be looking for your future potential, not a polished performance. What they will be interested in is how you handle the mistake. Try not to get flustered or upset, but correct the mistake or move on. Maybe it will even open up a creative opportunity for you and others.
Make your own judgements
The audition is a two-way process. After all, you will be giving your time and money to the school, so you want to make sure that it is the right fit for you. Consider if the members of your panel are capable of bringing out the best in you, and seem genuinely interested in who you are and what you are capable of.
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