I'm 16 and I'll be directing "Around the World in 80 Days" by Mark Brown for my High School's festival of student directed plays.  Auditions are in January, and I am a little lost on how I should run them.  I've done many CT auditions so I know kind of how to run them, but I would just like so pointers on what works and what doesn't.

 

For those of you who know the show, 5 people play 39 different parts.  Many of the characters have accents and things like that, and I would like to see how people can do with different accents.  What's the best way to do that?

 

I know that many directors choose several scenes with different characters for auditions and just work with those scenes.  Good idea?  What do you do?

 

And lastly, any other tips you might have.  We will probably only have around 20 people audition for it, but I really need to be able to pick the 5 strongest actors in the group.

 

Thank you!

Matt

I would recommend that you try them out in groups with different combinations of actors because the interactions are sometimes as important as how a person does as an individual.

 

Do you have to limit yourself to 5 actors?  What if you have 7 that are good and could cover the accents better than just 5?

 

Casting is the most important part of creating a good show.  I wish you the best. You will learn a lot from the experience.

 

Thanks for the help!

 

If you know how to run a CT audition then how is this much different than that?   What's the issue here?  I don't see it.   An audition is an audition is an audition.   The bascis and mechanics are pretty much the same whether for a CT or HS.

 

Good luck!

 

What are you going to say and do as the actors arrive?

What forms are they filling out?

Are you going to do a little speech telling them about the play, what the concept is (5 actors doing 39 characters), what you're looking for (ability to do accents, able to do different characters, work well with others, creativity, etc.)?

 

You want to appear confident, prepared and capable.

 

Other than that, do as you have seen done at the CT.  Have them read from sides, etc.  Make sure that you give everyone equal time. 

 

Be kind.  Make a lot of friends and no enemies (especially the later).

 

 

I probably break every suggestion that's in it.   I only do cold readings and can't stand the touchy feely audition either as an actor or director.   But I won't deny it's value or argue against it, just a personal preferance.  And I'm guilty several times over of greeting friends when I see them at auditions.   And I like food with transfats.  Does this make me a bad person? 

 

I know exactly what I am looking for when I go into an audition. If you have to sing to a b flat then I want to hear you sing to b flat. If I need a character to show me they can be both comedic and dramatic, I tell them, and give then the opportunity to do that. Mostly I am looking for an ensemble. I am looking for how well they work together and listen to each other. I usually do not find that out until callbacks.

Mostly I want auditions to be a pleasant experience and that everyone feels like they were given a fair audition. As odd as it seems, I am usually the most nervous person in the room. I want everyone to be as good as they want to be.

 

The only thing I am tough about is attitude. Auditions for me start the moment you walk in the door. I will not cast people who are rude to my production staff or rude to the other actors no matter how talented they are. I have enough problems without casting them on purpose. I just told the most talented actress who auditioned for my last show "No thank you" because of her attitude towards the other actors,  and the way she spoke to my production manager and her assistant.

 

Love the process and enjoy!

Linda