Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: running an audition workshop

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techiedirector
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Joined: 12/11/07
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Topic: running an audition workshop
Posted: 11/26/08 at 7:33pm

As a director and as an actor, I've had my share of auditions and being on both sides of the stage... BUT... as a director of children (mostly middle school), many of whom this might be their first audition, I'm thinking I really should try running an audition workshop a week or two before auditions. I've never had such a workshop, nor have I put one together... Any suggestions? What is a "must"?

Thanks!

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imamember
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Joined: 8/18/08
Location: United States
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Posts: 121

Posted: 11/26/08 at 7:55pm

I'm interested in this as well so I'll throw out suggestions, use what you will...

I'd start by letting people know that the audition starts when you enter the building and future auditions are happening during the entire rehearsal process. you never know when a future director or producer is watching. Word of mouth spreads.

Then I'd go into the actual process and differentiate between straight play and musical and prepared monologue and cold readings.

When I audition "straight cold read generally" I hear my name and walk up to grab my sides. I ask for a moment to look over the lines and ask for any clarification on tricky lines or unfamiliar words. I then make a choice on my character and figure out any business I can be doing while delivering my lines. Almost like an improv show.

I always read for whatever character is thrown at me, even if it doesn't suit me and I always say thank you after each time I read.

Bring a pencil
Stay quiet
Be polite to everyone
No cell phones/no texting

I don't do musicals and I've never had to prepare a monologue for audition before. But I'd go over the process specific to your group and maybe do practice auditions and grade them, then go over the bumps and do em again.

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 11/27/08 at 6:02pm

don't make eye contact with the people holding the audition

be polite - but not chatty

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Theatrefolk
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Joined: 10/26/08
Location: Canada
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Posted: 12/08/08 at 3:27pm

This is an awesome idea, particularly if you have a group of kids who have never auditioned for anything before.

Do they know what's expected of them? (that they have to memorize something, or if they'll be reading scenes)

Do they know how to plan for an audition? - How to work on a monologue? How to warm up, how to deal with nerves? Give everyone the same set of exercises.

Do they know what you're looking for? - the importance of diction, projection, being in character, connecting to the audience (but yes, NOT looking at the director!)

If they've never done an audition before, why not a dry run? That would be an active way to quiet any nerves.

All the best with this. Great idea.

Theatrefolk: Scripts for High Schools, Middle Schools, and Elementary Schools
http://www.theatrefolk.com

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sparf
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Joined: 9/30/04
Location: United States
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Posts: 23

Posted: 12/09/08 at 2:49pm

@tristanrobin

Absolutely! Yes! Do not be chatty. They're there to see you work, not to become your best friend. Good call.

As to not making eye contact, however, that is not necessarily the case. During a monologue, certainly not. You never want to lock an auditor into looking at you, making them part of the scene because at that point they don't feel as if they can look away, and they can't take notes or do anything else. Also, depending on the piece, it can be a very disturbing thing. For example, if you are performing a monologue that is a very clear attack on someone, you don't want to leave them with the feeling that it is directed at them.

That said, when you walk into the room, smile, take a moment, greet the auditors and make eye contact, THEN center yourself and begin the piece.

Very similar to an SETC or NETC style cattle call audition, sans name and number slating at the beginning and end.

The thing to ask in regards to how to handle an audition workshop is what the audition workshop is geared towards. Is it geared towards general auditioning or a specific audition type? i.e.: Are we dealing with monologue type auditions, or cold reads? General audition protocol or the procedures used at local theatres (which always vary just enough to be maddening, in my experience).

Best advice is to cover etiquette and protocol, and then make decisions as to the other things to be covered. More detail over fewer subjects is better than a general wash in my opinion, and you can always do followups.

That is not dead which can eternal lie / and with strange aeons even Death may die.

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

Author	Message
techiedirector Walk-On Joined: 12/11/07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: running an audition workshop Posted: 11/26/08 at 7:33pm
	As a director and as an actor, I've had my share of auditions and being on both sides of the stage... BUT... as a director of children (mostly middle school), many of whom this might be their first audition, I'm thinking I really should try running an audition workshop a week or two before auditions. I've never had such a workshop, nor have I put one together... Any suggestions? What is a "must"? Thanks!

	IP Logged

imamember Celebrity Joined: 8/18/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Posted: 11/26/08 at 7:55pm
	I'm interested in this as well so I'll throw out suggestions, use what you will... I'd start by letting people know that the audition starts when you enter the building and future auditions are happening during the entire rehearsal process. you never know when a future director or producer is watching. Word of mouth spreads. Then I'd go into the actual process and differentiate between straight play and musical and prepared monologue and cold readings. When I audition "straight cold read generally" I hear my name and walk up to grab my sides. I ask for a moment to look over the lines and ask for any clarification on tricky lines or unfamiliar words. I then make a choice on my character and figure out any business I can be doing while delivering my lines. Almost like an improv show. I always read for whatever character is thrown at me, even if it doesn't suit me and I always say thank you after each time I read. Bring a pencil Stay quiet Be polite to everyone No cell phones/no texting I don't do musicals and I've never had to prepare a monologue for audition before. But I'd go over the process specific to your group and maybe do practice auditions and grade them, then go over the bumps and do em again.
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 11/27/08 at 6:02pm
	don't make eye contact with the people holding the audition be polite - but not chatty
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Theatrefolk Player Joined: 10/26/08 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Posted: 12/08/08 at 3:27pm
	This is an awesome idea, particularly if you have a group of kids who have never auditioned for anything before. Do they know what's expected of them? (that they have to memorize something, or if they'll be reading scenes) Do they know how to plan for an audition? - How to work on a monologue? How to warm up, how to deal with nerves? Give everyone the same set of exercises. Do they know what you're looking for? - the importance of diction, projection, being in character, connecting to the audience (but yes, NOT looking at the director!) If they've never done an audition before, why not a dry run? That would be an active way to quiet any nerves. All the best with this. Great idea.
	Theatrefolk: Scripts for High Schools, Middle Schools, and Elementary Schools http://www.theatrefolk.com
	IP Logged

sparf Player Joined: 9/30/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Posted: 12/09/08 at 2:49pm
	@tristanrobin Absolutely! Yes! Do not be chatty. They're there to see you work, not to become your best friend. Good call. As to not making eye contact, however, that is not necessarily the case. During a monologue, certainly not. You never want to lock an auditor into looking at you, making them part of the scene because at that point they don't feel as if they can look away, and they can't take notes or do anything else. Also, depending on the piece, it can be a very disturbing thing. For example, if you are performing a monologue that is a very clear attack on someone, you don't want to leave them with the feeling that it is directed at them. That said, when you walk into the room, smile, take a moment, greet the auditors and make eye contact, THEN center yourself and begin the piece. Very similar to an SETC or NETC style cattle call audition, sans name and number slating at the beginning and end. The thing to ask in regards to how to handle an audition workshop is what the audition workshop is geared towards. Is it geared towards general auditioning or a specific audition type? i.e.: Are we dealing with monologue type auditions, or cold reads? General audition protocol or the procedures used at local theatres (which always vary just enough to be maddening, in my experience). Best advice is to cover etiquette and protocol, and then make decisions as to the other things to be covered. More detail over fewer subjects is better than a general wash in my opinion, and you can always do followups.
	That is not dead which can eternal lie / and with strange aeons even Death may die.
	IP Logged

Topic: running an audition workshop( Topic Closed)