Been on both sides of the fence many many times... I think it is all about attitude... Both on the part of the auditioners and the directorial staff... As for me I LOVE auditions... As long as you approach theater as fun and are supportive of each other, auditions can be a blast.. When we have audtions we love to listen to the other person, laugh with themand laugh at ourselves...  For me personally, the real TENSION/Dread is as the director.. You have to choose what is going to make a great show. That's where the presure is. When I'm auditioning, as long as I don't take myself too serious and don't have my heart set on a particular part, I am usually having a ball..

As to what you can do to engender "fun", I guess it would be all in how you set the mood.  If audtions are run as 100% buisness, then I'm sure that can be a little intimidating.. I just think the same thing can be accomplished with out so much presure.

Sorry to ramble..

Good luck finding "Your way" to take the edge off..

As a director I always try to make my auditions fun.  I try to be relaxed and light-hearted. I think deep down I'm probably more nervous than they are.

   At the auditions for my play that we did in July the auditions were fun.  The actor who I cast as my lead helped out at the auditions to find the other characters.  His easy going manner and the rapport he instantly made with those auditoning made it fun for us all.  When we auditioned the kids, my leading man immediately became 'dad' to each one of them and there was light-hearted teasing and joking.  The  kids who were able to get into the spirit of the fun and tease him right back were the ones I cast.  They were awesome actors as well. There were times when we had to convince audience members that none of the kids in the play were related to the actors playing mom and dad.  The bond was that good and that believable.  And I think it started at those fun auditions.

I agree 100% with Playwright. I try to keep auditions fun and interesting for everyone. I will often have auditioners work in groups before I see them individually. I found this to be less intimidating for the performers. They don't feel so in the spotlight. I can see what they can do when they are relaxed and I get glimpse of how they will work in an ensemble. Example: The choreographer will teach a group of 5 a routine together. Then ask to see them individually. Sometimes they don't even realize that they have auditioned. The same with the music director. They will teach a group a song. Then have them sing something of their choice. Then have them sing in a group to see if they can hold their part. I try to have a one on one conversation with everyone. I greet old friends and make a point of welcoming new faces. I also tell auditioners that their audition starts the minute they walk in the door. I make a point of watching their interaction with other cast members and staff. It can be very revealing as to how they are going to be to work with.

Linda

Sorry, but I disagree with POB14.

As an actor, I've always felt auditions were more intimidating and judgemental when it's just me in the room with the director, stage manager and/or whoever else.

I've always enjoyed auditions more when it was with a larger group.  Delivering a comic monologue to one or two people is akin to torture (both for the actor trying to get a laugh and the auditioners who are trying to muster amusement).  However, a comic monologue for a group of people is much more enjoyable for all concerned.

When it comes to readings from the script, I find it enormously helpful and enjoyable to see how the other actors approach the same lines.  It gives me a chance to size up my competition, and sometimes it inspires me to deliver a line in a way that I might not have thought of myself.  (I only steal from the best.)

Because of this, whenever I get the opportunity to direct, I've always auditioned my actors in groups of five or six (sometimes more if there's an enormous crowd waiting).

Not only do the auditions seem to go faster for everybody, but it also gives me a chance to see how the actors interact with each other and an audience.

The experienced actors enjoy showing off their skills and the inexperienced ones become less shy when all the pressure is not directly focused on them.  They also might learn a thing or two from their more-polished colleagues on how to prepare properly and conduct themselves at an audition.

No, no...no fun.  People should be as miserable and aprehensive as they possibly can be.  Only fear, loathing and terror at my auditions!   All right before anyone thinks I'm serious I really am kidding.

No matter what side of the audition table I happen to be on I like to be as entertianing as possible and that usually means having as much fun with the process as possible.