Auditioning for Drama program?

Question

Okay. It's time for me to attend an audition for the Drama program I've applied for at College. I'm told that I'll be there for approximately 3 - 4 hours. What?!
3 - 4 hours?! Why do I have to be there that long? Is it because I have to sit through everyone's audition? If that's the case, there's going to be a ton of people there because we only have to perform two, three minute monolgues.
Why does it take 3-4 hours to audition for a drama program? What happens at these auditions? Are there interviews too? What's more, do you recommend just standing there and delivering the monolgues (is that the norm?) or should I perform it (move around the stage, use facial expressions, etc) This is my first audition I'm pretty nervous. It's not until mid-March, but still. Thanks all!

Sorry. I should have mentioned this earlier; the program is Acting for Film & Television. Not Stage.

To add to my original question, do you believe that the day I attend the audition will make a difference to the auditioners? There are only two days for us to audition. Would it look bad if I chose the second day?

Answer 1

You will be there with many other people, hence the amount of time you will be there. This is going to end up being the norm for the most part when you go out into the world to audition for parts, so you should get used to this process. Use the audition to learn about what works for you to get ready and keep your energy up while waiting for your turn. You probably won't be getting a real interview, but most likely a smaller, ask a few questions to gauge your personality type thing. But they may ask you more. Most likely they will just be judging your acting talents.

More Advice:
1 - Perform the part, don't just say the lines. Anyone can recite a speech, they want actors, so act.
2 - Relax and trust yourself. And have fun. They want people with good attitudes as much as actors.
3 - Study your monologues. And I don't just mean know the lines, but you should have them down cold (and you have MORE than enough time to do that). But really look at your decisions. Read the play the monologue comes form, understand your character, and make real character decisions. Know why your character acts they way he/she does, break down the motivations, and create the necessary momments in your delivery to make an interesting character.
4 - If you can incorporate movements in, thats great. Stage acting training should involve good movement classes, so try to really understand how your body moves. Rehearse in front of a mirror, because sometimes we make faces without knowing what they look like. This is BIG. Understand what your movements actually LOOK like.
5 - Know that acting for stage is bigger than acting for TV/Film. On TV/Film we see the subtle movements of face and body, but those movements (and in turn vocalizations) are bigger on stage so more people can see it. It may feel like overacting, but it isn't seen that way. Of course, it IS a fine line, so again, know how your movements look.
6 - Expect to be given some notes on your delivery. This doens't mean that you did anything wrong, necessarily. It means they want to see how well you take direction. So when / if people do give you character notes, try to really make choices to reflect those notes and not just perform it the same way. This goes back to #3. STUDY. If you can anticipate different deliveries, it will be easier to incorporate their notes. And knowing your lines perfectly will make it MUCH easier for you to seamlessly go into a new character choice without having to worry about the lines being delivered in a way you are not familiar with.
7 - I am going to say it again. Relax and have a good time. Know this: These people WANT to cast you. You aren't trying to win the part, you already have it because they WANT you in it. It's yours to lose at this point, and getting nervous and acting scared / not having fun will only help them not like you as much. Do the preparation behind the monologue so you eleviate that stress, and trust in yourself.

Break a leg!!! It is an exciting time, enjoy every minute of it.

Answer 2

The 3-4 hrs probably means you are watching all the auditions. The purpose of this is two-fold: 1) They want to see that you are capable of performing in front of an audience. 2) Even though you are sitting in an audience, you are still being watched and that is a part of your audition. If you are talking while others are performing, or getting into arguements etc... you wouldnt be a good person for a theatre program.

As this is an audition, you are performing. You need to put on the best show possible. Go all out for when you are doing your audition, just like you would while you were in a rehearsal/performance for any other roles you have had. Remember to HAVE FUN!!! and break a leg!

Answer 3

Which college? Every school conducts its auditions differently.

When I auditioned for my MFA program several years ago, the audition was a 2-hour process. Like you, I thought that was a little bit odd going in...but it turned out to be an extraordinary experience. Unlike many of the other schools I had seen, this particular program traveled to auditions with its ENTIRE performing arts faculty. The audition was conducted like a 2-hour workshop, where each faculty member, in turn, would put the group of student-actors through some excercises in the faculty member's area of expertise (voice, movement, speech, etc.). At the end of it all, we performed our two monologues.

I left feeling as though I'd given them a VERY complete idea of what I could do as a performer. Sometimes, when you're ONLY performing prepared material, you leave feeling as though you didn't give that kind of impression.

Bottom line: all you can really be responsible for is the quality and preparation of your monologues. Go in there prepared to give those your best shot, and then just be prepared to go with the flow for everything else. You'll be fine.

Answer 4

I was a stage manager at my college and the actors auditioned in blocks of time to allow for running ahead or behind. Generally you don't have to watch other monologues if you don't want to, drama programs are pretty aware that each person will benefit from different prep methods.

Be sure to ACT your monologue as if there was someone else on stage but don't move around just to move. It is pretty recommended to use a chair (if available) to center yourself and give you something to move around, or a place to visualize the other person in. Make sure you read the plays your pieces are from and that you are performing them in context, the auditioners are professionals, they will know if you didn't do your home work.

If you practice for an audience they will be able to let you know if it seems real. Also know that they are looking for someone they can mold, so don't worry about being the world's best actor just yet.

Answer 5

As for why it will take so long, only people who've gone through the process will know for sure. My bet is that you will probably have to sit through everyone's audition. I'm also guessing that the time frame is just an estimate.

As for how to deliver your monologue, I would highly recommend acting it out as you would if you were in front of an audience, because you will be.

Anyone can stand up and recite a monologue. Because this is a drama program, they're looking for people who can act.

Go all out for it and show them what you're made of and why they should choose you instead of the others.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 6

Audition advice may be very complicated. so about all I can do for you on short notice is to recommend that you look forward to the opportunity to perform. Say over and over to yourself: Acting is playing and playing is fun, whenever I act I am going to have fun. Repeat and repeat it. An audition is acting so it is fun. Go up their and have fun with your audition, being a strange Shakespearian character, enjoy it, smile all the time you are not the character, and make sure the character does not sound or look like you do when you are not the character. Enjoy, break a leg. Doc

Answer 7

OK are you talking to other people in it or are you talking to your self? If you are talking to other people try to make them as real as possible. practice saying your monologue as if you were the actual person. If you have troubles getting into part, ma bye you could try just thinking about your persons situation. What might be happening in her life and how she might feel about it. I've auditioned twice for plays and I didn't do any of this. And guess what? I didn't get in. But now I have a voice teacher/acting coach who told me all theses things. I'm auditioning for to kill a mocking bird in two weeks. Prior to this particular audition. I have, prat iced my monologue in front of other people. Listened to peoples advice whether good or bad. (its good to here what other people have to say about it because their viewing it from the outside)
I recommend putting one foot slightly in front of the other, try not to sway(its dist acting) take a minute to get into character, then say your monologue as if you were that person. When she is happy you are happy when she is sad you are sad(it helps to think of something really sad) when she is angry you are furious. Become your person!
break a leg!