Acting (Audition) Help?

Question

Okay this is really two questions in one, so please answer both.

1. What are some good plays for a theatre group to do for a summer workshop for kids between the ages of 13-16? Please not that the play must not have any swearing or other bad stuff in it and it should be about an hour to an hour and a half long.

2. When you audition for a part, how do you show the director that you are seroius about a certain role? Also, to show that you don't want a role, should you just bomb it on the other roles you are asked to read for?
Ex. Say you want to be a lead in a play. You are asked to read for the lead and other minor parts in it. Should you bomb it on the other parts? And how do you show that you are seroius about wanting to be a certain part?

Answer 1

1) It depends upon WHO your audience will be. If the group will be performing FOR kids, "Fabulous Fable Factory" by Joseph Robinette and Thomas Tierney is a fun one. "Twelve Dancing Princesses" by I.E. Clark is fun if you have a lot of girls, and it can be done as a play or a musical. I recommend a COMEDY or something whimsical/fantasy/fairy tale, rather than a drama, since the summer is supposed to be FUN.

2) Do the BEST job you can do at EVERY audition. Research the play beforehand, so to help you grasp the characters - but be open to the Director's suggestions and requests. Don't worry about looking foolish - show him you can be directed, and are willing to try what he wants. Have confidence in yourself (not *********), and he will, too. In most cases, it doesn't matter how serious you are about a specific role - your idea of a character may be very different from a Director's ideas. And, more important than almost anything else - DO NOT MIMIC ACTORS FROM THE MOVIE VERSION of a play.

It really ISN'T your place, as an actor, to decide what part you are right for. That is a DIRECTOR'S job. NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER do a poor job while auditioning for a role you don't really want - it makes you look UNTALENTED. Plus, if the Director figures out you are doing it on purpose, it shows that you lack trust in his judgment. I know several people who have lost out on the part they really wanted (despite being the best choice for the role) because the Director didn't appreciate the attitude that the actor was a better judge of character and casting than he was. Use the opportunity to show your versatility.

If you can't handle being cast in parts you don't really want, then you really shouldn't pursue acting. The old adage is true: there are no small parts - only small actors. Respect the process and everyone's appropriate place within it.

Answer 2

Look for One Act peices. They will be short enough and most are age appropriate! #2 DO NOT BOMB THE OTHERS!!!! If the director sees you have no versatility then that could cost you. Regardless of which part you wanted, show them that you will be willing to accept any role they give you, you will look 10x's more professional if you do this! In theatre there are no small roles only small actors!! Break a Leg and God bless!

Answer 3

1. Take a poll on the theme of what you play should be abou first. Give the people what they want!!!

2. Get into character and stay there until the director tells you to stop or after about 10 seconds after you finish.

Answer 4

1. The Fantastiks is pretty easy. It's singing, but it's not hard. Charlie Brown is a good one, but it's a small cast. The Secret Garden could be good. Oklahoma, maybe. Y'all could do a "Christmas in July" kinda thing and do The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Thurber Canival could work.

2. I've never auditioned for a play. I'd hate to tell you wrong.