ANSWERS:

1. I don't want to hear songs from the show - and I will say so in the audition announcement.  I do want to hear songs that are similar in style to what's in the show I'm directing.  For instance: if I'm auditioning for "Godspell" it's okay to sing something from "Pippin" or "Cats", but don't try giving me something from "Sweeney Todd", "The Sound of Music" or "Die Fledermaus".

2. I don't require songs to be memorized.  If I've asked for a monologue, I expect it to be memorized.  If the actor has not memorized his/her monologue, I let them read what they brought; but then I ask for it a second time without script, asking to paraphrase as necessary to get through it.  I do that because I want to see them act - not just read.  I may deduct a few points, but it's not a deal-breaker.

3.  I keep songs available for unprepared singers.  I give them a choice of five or six, give them time to get comfortable, then ask them to sing.  For a monologue, I do as mentioned above in #2 - I give them a monologue, let them study it, then ask them to read it, then paraphrase for meaning.  Again, I don't deduct a ton of points - that would only be counter-productive.

4.  No penalty - but I might give them a second song to sing, or a second monologue to read. (See procedure in #3.)

5.  a, b, and c are all the same answer.  I let them read free of any prejudice.  If they are suitable for one of the roles and I want to cast them, then I have to face our previous history.  At that point, I would tell them my concerns and ask for an explanation of their previous behavior.  If the answers are convincing, I will cast the person.  I will always give someone a second chance - not always a third chance.

6.  All my cast members sign a behavioral expectation agreement.  It involves conduct on and off stage, in and out of rehearsals.  Everyone is required to be on time, ready to work, and to show mutual respect to cast, crew, theatre group, follow rehearsal space smoking regulations, no drugs, no drinking, no cell phones on during rehearsals, etc., etc., etc.  Any deviation subjects that person to dismissal.  I once went so far as to dump someone during tech week (there were extraordinary circumstances); and in case of dismissal, it would be highly unlikely that I would work with that person on any future productions. 

7.  If I see someone doing something (like the hair twirling, nail biting, slouching, the inability to stand still, mumbling, bad posture, etc.), and if it bothers me, I ask the person to stop doing it.  It would not be the bad habit that's the deal-breaker, it would be the actor's inability to stop it that would lose them major points.  -  As for the auditioning process itself, I insist that the people waiting to read remain silent and respectful of the people currently reading.  I'm very big on the mutual respect angle.


Edited by edh915 - 5/21/12 at 2:48pm

1) I prefer to see someting different, it shows the actor does their homework and understands what type of show they are auditioning for, although sometimes I have just asked for a song from the show, or the composer (you have to know they can sing Sondheim)

2) Would you come into a job interview underprepared, I believe an audition is just that, while I will allow them to audition, it tells me they don't really care too much about the audition and are not taking it seriously.
3) see above.. but I would just have them cold read and maybe sing happy birthday.. I mean if they just showed up because they came with a friend or just moved to town that is undertandable.
4) Not per se' but I do get bored with actors that I see the same monologue or song from over and over and over

5) I take that into serious consideration, if an actor is consistentaly late I know that if I cast them, that is no going to change, I live by the rule, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me..
6) I have never had that happen, I think a talk would be in order
7)  Every actor espicially in an audition scenario will have their quirks, just watch for them and figure out if it is something that will stick around and if so can you use it.

Whoops -- misinterpreted the "quirks" question.

Also to add, glad to see that I am on the same page with most of what was responded and the rest gave me some thinking to do about future rehearsals! Thank you all again!