Part two are the typical cold readings.

 

A typical audition may be:

 

"Everyone on stage and introduce yourself to one another" After a few minutes have each person introduce someone else until all are introduced.

 

Separate into two groups, one on each side of the stage.  One from each side walk across the stage crossing in the middle. (see what happens)Then have them skip across the stage. Then give each a character (a boss and employee; cousins, etc.) as they walk across the stage.

 

Then a group theatre game like slow motion, mimed dodgeball.

 

Next pair them up for some type of theatre game.

 

Hand out sides, asign roles, and give them several minutes to read it. Do "cold" readings.

 

That's how I do it.

 

Remember, you can learn a lot by observing the actors from the time they arrive including time sitting in the audience and how they behave/react to others on stage.

 

You'll learn a lot about them and what they are capable of.  Who listens. Who is respectful. Who takes direction well. Etc.

 

ED I sooooo agree with you on this remark. While I know some people find that useful and for some it works, I let anyone know that I've ever worked for that doesn't know me - that I DO NOT do those game playing, time wasting things. Frankly it's the product of academia - NOT the real world of theater. That occurs more in college than it ever does in the real world and I find it a waste of my time, offensive, degrading and totally and completely unnecessary. I never did that as a director, I will NOT do it as an actor AND I CAN and DO reassure that whomever I work with and/or for that I will DO MY JOB and can almost guarantee the results WILL BE what the director wants.  I have no problem with getting to know people and being friendly with people.  I can build a relationship(s) with fellow actors once we're into the rehearsals.  WE ARE after all, there to do a job and we can all do that without the need for trivial game playing that accomplishes absolutely nothing in my opinion.  I've seen it done, I've been in casts where they did that (whether I participated or not) and I have as yet to see where it makes one iota of difference in any end product.

 

I keep reiterating that people need to read David Mamet's book TRUE AND FALSE.  While he is a case and a story unto himself - he does make some incredibly valid points in the book.  And while he's speaking from the standpoint of a playright, thinking that even ACTORS have no business "creating" a character - that they should just go out on stage, deliver the lines and get the hell off the stage leaving the interpretation to the audience - at least he DOES make some valid points regarding academia and the true waste of time spent in school doing things that have no relevence nor application in the real world of theater.  He, I am certain, pissed off a lot of people with that book.  But let me say this - I have heard from numerous colleagues who were 50 and 60 year veterans of the stage who highly endorsed that book and Mamet's viewpoints as THE MOST VALID thing they'd heard in their entire careers as actors and theater technicians.  Agree or not, college is a waste of time for many (not all but many) because of the waste of time things that get done.....or not get done.....that it makes it less than worth the effort and expense in the real world application.  That's my biggest peeve about theater departments who neither offer extensive courses in theater makeup too - being a makeup artist myself and seeing so much BAAAAD makeup work being done by actors who "know how to do their own makeup"!!!!  I think there are SOME colleges that MIGHT come close to having solid curriculums that don't do a lot of those ridiculously waste of time theater games - but I'd venture they're few and far between.

 

Now I know that I'll likely piss someone off with my opinions and I really and truly don't mean to.  But like many, I too have been at this for 50 years and I see absolutely no benefit to me or any cast or show I've ever been part of that makes playing those silly theater games worth the time that gets wasted doing them.  I AM THE ONE responsible for bringing to the show/production what I was hired and/or cast to do and I follow through on my committment to that.  I warm up, I prepare, I learn my lines, I follow the director's direction (even often in the face of completely off-the-mark, BAD direction - and I've had a few of those) and bring a finished AND POLISHED product while maintaining friendly, supportive, encouraging and contributing relationships with my fellow actors ALL WITHOUT the need for theater games during rehearsals or auditions.  As a director, if I cannot get what I need from auditioners - or if I don't already have the experience first to BE directing and casting a show, then I really don't have any business doing it in the first place.  As a degreed singer/voice teacher, when it comes to musicals, I can listen to anyone sing any little ditty and figure out if they can handle what a musical can expect from them.  As a long time actor/director, I can spot any auditioner in a general, simple few minutes if they can bring to a role what I am looking for.  I've been delighted more than once that an auditioner who might have never ever set foot on the stage, becomes a star of the show in their own right.  It's happened more than once.  And if I can't get from them what I need by the time the show goes up, as either a director or vocal director/music director since it IS my job to get them to performance ready, then I don't need to be doing it at all.  That's one of my major pet peeves - is directors, music directors/vocal directors who simply are NOT QUALIFIED to do those jobs getting hired to do them and then trying to tell ME HOW to do those jobs when I know more about what it takes than they do.  THAT TOO has happened to me far too many times to recount.

 

I had one girl who auditioned for me for Steel Magnolias for the role of Annelle. She had never set foot on stage.  I conveyed to her what I was looking for in the part - in auditions mind you, she read, I cast her and by the time the show went up - she took the stage and was PERFECTION in my book - NOT because I did my job, only in part - but because SHE DID HER JOB and didn't need games - just guidance - to accomplish what she did.  SO while I know it works for some people to play these foolish theater games, again, I see it often as a product of what they were (or were NOT) taught in college. Or perhaps they had been connected to a group wherein directors did that all the time and they don't know that it isn't necessary.  I will never ever do it (though it doesn't matter much since I don't do much theater anymore) and never did.  SO I sincerely agree with your take on it - it diminishes MY capabilities to give a director/show what is needed and it's something I'll never be a party to ever.

 

I apologize if this steps on anyone's sensibilities - but remember it's only an opinion but my time devoted to this craft and the years of experience has shown me that for ME - it is a total waste of time.  If it works for YOU and your actors, then I have no room to say anything. BUT I'd lay a bet that I could get from ANY CAST/AUDITIONER more than those who feel the need to play games to accomplish what understanding the characters and the play should be bringing without the need to play those games in the first place. I know that sounds egotistical - but honest to God - I am NOT an egotist - I just have seen it borne out in practical real-world application more than not.

 

Sorry for my rant - off the box Tony. Back in your cave!!

 

 

TonyDi