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If you dream of acting on the stage and impressing your friends, and want to feel the rush of performing in a crowded school auditorium, you will need first need to go through try-outs. Think you can handle it? Read on to learn how to audition for a school play.
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If you dream of acting on the stage and impressing your friends, and want to feel the rush of performing in a crowded school auditorium, you will need first need to go through try-outs. Think you can handle it? Read on to learn how to audition for a school play.
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Introduction
- Do you long to be a thespian? Do you have the blood of a performer pulsing through your veins? Maybe you have always wanted to try acting, just to see if it's for you. Whether you are a trained drama queen or king, or just looking to dip your toe into the world of theater, a school play is an excellent arena in which to hone your skills, meet fellow actors, and have some fun. Before you can start thinking about opening night, however, you must first go through an audition process. Auditions can be daunting even to a seasoned pro, but if you take the right steps to prepare, you will be able to get through them smoothly.
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Step 1: Learn the Requirements
- So you've seen the posters hanging around your school: "Auditions!" Or maybe you've heard about the new play in class, or through friends. What next? Well, the first thing you need to do is learn all of the infromation about the audition. If you are not sure about details, speak to the drama coach. You will need to know the following:
- Which roles are available?
- Will an audition scene (or "sides") be provided?
- Will you need to prepare a monologue?
- When will auditions take place?
- When are rehearsals scheduled?
- What are the performance dates?
Step 2: Practice, Practice, Practice
- Once you have the info you need, it is time to start practicing for your audition. You should begin learning your lines as soon as soon as you have your script or monologue (for help finding a monologue, try monologuearchive.com). For maximum success, do the following:
- Practice a little while every day.
- Run your lines with friends, or in front of your family.
- Practice in front of a mirror to watch your expressions.
- Speak as clearly as possible.
- Watch other actors for ideas -- but do not copy them too much.
Step 3: Audition
- You will be nervous, but if you have prepared well you have nothing to worry about. Keep the following in mind:
- Try to relax, and have confidence in your abilities.
- Do not over-rehearse the day of the audition. Just go over lines once or twice right before performing.
- Always stay in character while performing. That is, do not start acting like yourself instead of the person you are trying to portray.
- If you mess up, do not apologize, or halt your performance (remember, you are being a character, not yourself). Simply ignore the mistake and move on.
- If you forget your lines, do some improv. You know the essence of the script, so just play your character using different words until you get back on track. You will really impress the director if you know how to smoothly handle your mistakes.
Conclusion
- Whew! It's all over. Soon you will find out if you landed a role. If you got the part you were after, congratulations! If you didn't get cast, or if you weren't given the role you wanted, don't be upset with yourself. Every audition is a learning experience. Consult the director privately, and ask how you can improve your audition technique for the future. Keep auditioning, and you will eventually be cast in a school play.