Using an accent in an audition?

Question

I'll be auditioning for a male role in Midsummer Night's Dream soon and I have to prepare a comedic Shakespeare monologue.

I've done a fair amount of theater work, but I came from a small community where just about any male was welcome and auditions were very laid-back. Now I've moved to a larger community and there will, no doubt be significant competition.

My question is whether it's a good idea to work an accent into an audition for shakespeare. I've done accent work before (Brooklyn accent for "The Guys"), but never a British accent. My in-laws are British and I think I can pull it off with some work and help, but I don't want to use it in an audition if it would be distracting.

Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

Don't do the accent. If you're confident about your ability to pull it off, put it on your resume instead.

Remember, your auditioners don't know how you really speak. If your audition voice is clear, well-projected, and without a distinctive regional accent, they will assume you can pull off the accents as needed. But if all they hear you do is the "voice," they may assume that's all you can do. It's a sad but true fact of auditioning.

And I agree with the poster who cautioned against assuming Shakespeare should be done with an English accent (what kind of English accent, by the way? There are zillions.) I don't believe I've ever seen an American production of any Shakespearean play done with English accents. We wouldn't do Moliere with French accents, nor Pirandello with Italian accents....

Do it with your natural voice. Spend your time and energy working on the essentials of character rather than on vocal frills. Good luck with your audition!

Answer 2

I have worked on over 60 community theatre productions, so I speak from experience.
You do not need to perfect an an accent for an audition. A) It could trip you up unnecessarily. The director should be looking at your acting ability and stage presence at this time.
B) Don't assume that because it's Shakespeare, British accents would be used.
Romeo & Juliet takes place in Verona! I've seen Hamlet in modern dress and Taming of the Shrew set in the Old West.
C) If an accent is needed that is what the rehearsal process is for.
Take a breath and good luck!
WR Garrity

Answer 3

British accents are almost always bad news. You don't need a british accent for shakespeare the same way you wouldn't use a "greek" accent for Oedipus. The auditioners will want to see what you can do as an actor... not you as a british actor. Besides, the "british" accents in Shakespeares time were different from the ones now. If they want an accent in the production, they WILL have people on hand to teach it to you, and properly.
Midsummer will take alt of character work, especially with Puck and Oberon. So, the auditioners are going to want to see how you will handle popular, difficult roles, as these both are.

Good luck, and welcome to the leagues of us who have done Midsummer time and time again.

Answer 4

No, no, and no!!! It is a common misconception that Shakespeare requires a British accent. It does not!! That will be the director's choice. If the director is planning on using dialects, s/he will have a dialect coach (or should). They may ask you to give them a sample of your dialect during the call back process, in order to see if you have a good ear.

Unless you've had specific voice and speech training with dialects, they almost always sound phony -- even the people who think they've got it nailed. A bad accent will only make the director think less of your perfomance.

Break-A-Leg!

Answer 5

if you are preparing a monologue, then NO, do not use a dialect! stay away from dialect pieces if at all possible, and if you insist on auditioning with a monologue that requires dialect, don't use it.

also, I have taken a stage dialects class, and about 2 years ago played Cecily Cardew in "The Importance of Being Earnest" and I perfected the stage British dialect - but mind you, a stage dialect is quite different than the british dialect of people like your in-laws and people who speak that way normally.

I would suggest asking the director about the dialect, and perhaps start to learn stage dialects. the book that i used was by Jerry Blunt, but its pretty old, so I would have no clue to get it. But make sure you know your IPA (phonetics) first so you know how to make the proper changes for the dialect!

Answer 6

Shakespearean Accent

Answer 7

I wouldn't bother with an accent at auditions, unless you know the theatre company plans on doing the entire show with accents. Shakespeare can be interpreted so many ways. Just make sure your resume has a list of the accents you already know, should they want you to use one.

Answer 8

Not a good idea.

First of all, at an audition, your primary objective is to show off YOUR work at its cleanest and least cluttered. They need to know what YOU sound like, free from any dialects.

Secondly...Shakespeare, when performed by American English-speaking actors should NOT be performed with a British dialect.

It would be distracting; avoid it.

Answer 9

I wouldn't bother with the accent for the audition, just be certain that you understand the scene and your role. If you book the job, you can ask the director if he wants you to use an accent.

Answer 10

I have used accents in trying to get the part I need, and if you need a British accent, try, because if you can get the accent down, it will increase your chances at that part. Good Luck!