Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: pantomime audition exercises?

Author

Message

SineQuaNon
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 8/28/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Topic: pantomime audition exercises?
Posted: 8/28/06 at 10:44pm

Hello,

This will be my first opportunity to Direct a show, the catch is that its an original script never performed before. Its a 10 minute performance with no words, all action. The premise of the script is to create laughter. The actors dont know the audience is there, when they do things to create laughter, they are scared of them, then play with it and keep the laughter going.

How can I create an effective audition in small groups and singles?
Are their any references out there for auditions with physical patomimes or charade styling?

Thanks! --Kevin

Always do your best, it'll come back to you...

IP Logged

eveharrington
Celebrity

Joined: 8/28/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 198

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:03am

You'll want to concentrate on movement and facial expression I'd imagine so in groups you could do something as simple as playing simon sez, or pair them up and have them play the mirror game. For singles you can find one or two monologues that will elicit a reaction and have an assistant read them. Tell them to convey their reactions silently. Hope this helps.

Come to think of it charades is actually a really good idea.

"If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights."

IP Logged

Shatcher
Celebrity

Joined: 2/21/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 251

Posted: 8/31/06 at 12:16pm

I took an improve class in college and one of the things we had to do for our final was make the class laugh with out talking. the only insturction from the teacher was "make em laugh and keep your mouth shut" if could work...

IP Logged

WSCT
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 7/02/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 9/01/06 at 6:45pm

Dear SineQuaNon and fellow Green Room Groundlings,

Always keep in mind that Comedy is exicuted in three stages: Set-Up,The Gag (or Riff), and reaction to Gag.The glue that puts these 3 steps together is TIMING.

I would create some situations ahead of time on slips of paper and put them in a hat. Have each performer take a slip on their way to the stage and have them perform a short piece demonstrating that situation. Examples could include "Slipping on a Banana Peel" or "Walking a Wild Dog"...Watch how each actor develops their scene through the Three steps I listed above. You will see some "naturals" and some who need work but all in all it is my experience that this can be trained.

Good Luck

Philly

Phillip E. Stommel
Artistic Director
West Sacramento Community Theater

IP Logged

SineQuaNon
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 8/28/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 9/08/06 at 5:50pm

Thanks for all your help. I have put together a random set of acts, all pantomime improv exercises. All of them have a change of emotion and therefore movement. As many of you suggested, it should create a lot of movement, character improvisation and timing to get it right. All of them are projected to portray honest comedy, which is what our script is based on.
Thanks for all your comments and I will let you know how it goes and what I learn.

Always do your best, it'll come back to you...

IP Logged

Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Author	Message
SineQuaNon Walk-On Joined: 8/28/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: pantomime audition exercises? Posted: 8/28/06 at 10:44pm
	Hello, This will be my first opportunity to Direct a show, the catch is that its an original script never performed before. Its a 10 minute performance with no words, all action. The premise of the script is to create laughter. The actors dont know the audience is there, when they do things to create laughter, they are scared of them, then play with it and keep the laughter going. How can I create an effective audition in small groups and singles? Are their any references out there for auditions with physical patomimes or charade styling? Thanks! --Kevin
	Always do your best, it'll come back to you...

	IP Logged

eveharrington Celebrity Joined: 8/28/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 198	Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:03am
	You'll want to concentrate on movement and facial expression I'd imagine so in groups you could do something as simple as playing simon sez, or pair them up and have them play the mirror game. For singles you can find one or two monologues that will elicit a reaction and have an assistant read them. Tell them to convey their reactions silently. Hope this helps. Come to think of it charades is actually a really good idea.
	"If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights."
	IP Logged

Shatcher Celebrity Joined: 2/21/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 251	Posted: 8/31/06 at 12:16pm
	I took an improve class in college and one of the things we had to do for our final was make the class laugh with out talking. the only insturction from the teacher was "make em laugh and keep your mouth shut" if could work...
	IP Logged

WSCT Walk-On Joined: 7/02/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 9/01/06 at 6:45pm
	Dear SineQuaNon and fellow Green Room Groundlings, Always keep in mind that Comedy is exicuted in three stages: Set-Up,The Gag (or Riff), and reaction to Gag.The glue that puts these 3 steps together is TIMING. I would create some situations ahead of time on slips of paper and put them in a hat. Have each performer take a slip on their way to the stage and have them perform a short piece demonstrating that situation. Examples could include "Slipping on a Banana Peel" or "Walking a Wild Dog"...Watch how each actor develops their scene through the Three steps I listed above. You will see some "naturals" and some who need work but all in all it is my experience that this can be trained. Good Luck Philly
	Phillip E. Stommel Artistic Director West Sacramento Community Theater
	IP Logged

SineQuaNon Walk-On Joined: 8/28/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 9/08/06 at 5:50pm
	Thanks for all your help. I have put together a random set of acts, all pantomime improv exercises. All of them have a change of emotion and therefore movement. As many of you suggested, it should create a lot of movement, character improvisation and timing to get it right. All of them are projected to portray honest comedy, which is what our script is based on. Thanks for all your comments and I will let you know how it goes and what I learn.
	Always do your best, it'll come back to you...
	IP Logged

Topic: pantomime audition exercises?( Topic Closed)