Audition Tips

If you are planning to audition for a production with KCI Drama or beyond, the following Audition Tips will be invaluable to you for your auditions. There are different types and styles of auditions but the biggest two are an open audition, where you are expected to audition with and/or in-front of your fellow auditionees, and a closed audition, where you audition with only members of the production team responsible for making casting decisions.

The Three "Be's"
  • Be On Time
"On time" does not mean running in at your audition slot time.  "On time" means at least 10 minutes early for your scheduled time.   Auditioners see a lot of people and their schedule can be very tight, which means that you need to be ready to go when they call you in, which may also require you to go in slightly early if possible.  You will often need to fill out an information sheet about yourself and your performance experience before you audition as well.  Be early and give yourself enough time to get warmed up and prepared to audition.
  • Be Prepared
When you are asked to prepare a memorized monologue, this task is one of the first tests that the auditioners are putting you through.  What does it tell them about your level of commitment or what they can expect from you during the rehearsal period if you do not at least put your best effort into your audition?  Let's just say...you're making their decision easy for them. Ensure that you give yourself enough time to fully prepare, understand, and memorize your monologue.  If you struggle with memorizing lines, here are some excellent memorization techniques and a helpful monologue memorization tool. It is also valuable for you to understand not only your monologue, but the play for which you are auditioning.  Reading the full play (or an excerpt), as well as doing some research into the play, characters, source material, etc. will give you a huge advantage.  
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Note: If you are not memorized but still wish to audition, you should at least be very comfortable with the monologue (i.e. it does not look like you are reading it for the first time on the spot) and really commit to your performance.  ACT! Don't simply read.
  • Be Yourself
Believe it or not, auditioning is not always entirely about talent!  A lot of factors play a role in putting together a full cast, but it's important to remember that auditioners are looking at you as a person in a number of different ways.  Auditioners are trying to find performers who are passionate, dedicated, flexible, and hard-working that they can picture spending the next few months working very closely with.  Coming into your audition with a huge ego or a bad attitude can guarantee that you will not be considered for a part, regardless of how talented you may (or may not) be. Remember that you are constantly auditioning, even when you're not on stage. 

When you first do your monologue, try to show yourself as a performer!  Auditioners, if they want or need to see more, will then ask you to try it in different ways.  If you are given a direction, make some strong decisions that show your range.  They want to see you go as far away from your first performance as possible, taking in their direction as completely as possible.  These directions can often be very big and completely unrelated to the original monologue or character (ie. "Okay, now try doing the monologue again...while washing an elephant"). Don't get stuck on what you prepared, or worse, what you think Go big and commit to the bit!

If you wish to see some more tips, enjoy the following resources!