Directors, do you have your actors audition with prepared monologues or cuttings?  Why or why not?

Actors, which do you prefer to audition with?  Why or why not?

First of all, I never have actors come in with a prepared monologue from some other show.  Just don't think they're that useful.

I usually keep sides of scenes from the play in the room itself, so that actors don't have access to it beforehand.  That way, if they're really good, either 1) they just have great instincts for working a "cold" piece, or 2) they've done homework and read through the play before they showed up.  In terms of what scene(s) I read them for, I have two philosophies, both of which I employ:
1. Read them for their character's first scene in the script.  Usually, these scenes are kinda dull and expositiony, harder to make an impression with.  So, seeing this scene helps me knock out some of the chaff.
2. Read them for their "big" scene, one of those really memorable moments in the play.  I know a lot of directors that avoid doing this, thinking that because there's so much juice to it, anyone will be able to do a decent job with it.  Which is true.  But what I look for here is something that REALLY nails it- the rhythm, the tone.

Also, I always explain my "idea" (that word sounds a bit pompous, but still...) for the show and the character, and will give them directions during the audition.  Some directors hesitate to do this, preferring to just see raw talent or lack thereof, but I know I've gone into auditions where I didn't get the part, then saw the show and felt that if the director had actually said a couple of sentences on what he was going for, I could've shown him that in the audition.

obviously grammar does not come as easily as reading

Read from the script only... If you give a little character and background info, it gives you a chance to see what they can do with the lines in the show your actually doing..  I could acutally see using perpared pieces if we were expecting a HUGE deluge of unkown auditioners.  But as we have seen most everyone that tries out before, it is really a matter of seeing how they do with the new material, how they interact with the other actors being concidered, and how they stand up against any new people who do show up..

Guess it's a bit of a playing field leveler.. and cuts, what I concider, an unnessisary step from the evenings festivities...

 

I love using photographs. When I am putting together combinations for callbacks it really helps me remember.