When you have to perform a cold reading do the "castors" tell alittle bit about the character and situation?

Answer 1

The "casters" (not 'castor') can fill you in ... if you ask. To quote Shakespeare ... "Aye, there's the rub!"

And, do your homework! In other words, if you're going to an open reading for Othello, read the play, become familiar with all the parts, know the storyline. If you're going to an open reading for a new play and you can't research anything about it (seldom happens, btw - most every play can be researched ahead of time and it earns you brownie points for taking the initiative), then ask.

It's like anything else, if you don't ask, you won't get the answer.

God gave you a brain (so you can research the play/the characters/the playwright) and gave you a mouth (so you can ask questions at the audition/cold reading).

Good luck - and have fun! ;-)

Answer 2

They might, they might not. It depends on the person auditioning you. If they don't, you could always ask them what's going on in the scene. The best thing to do though is to come in prepared. Rent a copy of the script or watch a performance of the show. Know the characters and the important scenes. That way you will have a good idea of what is going on, both in individual scenes and in the play as a whole.

Answer 3

Not often....nor should they, in my opinion.

Remember, one of the most important things that you can demonstrate at ANY audition is that, as an actor, you're capable of making a strong acting choice and playing it vigorously.

This will sound weird, but, more often than not, it doesn't even matter if the choice is WRONG...just go for it! If you convince the auditors that you're capable of strong playing (even with a text you were handed only a couple of minutes earlier!), they'll know that, given rehearsal time and proper direction, you'll be capable of a solid performance.

Answer 4

Go to the audition early, so you have time to see the pages. There will be some clues in the text, no matter how short.

Make some strong decisions about how to approach the text - but be flexible. Once you're in the casting room, they may tell you something about what they're looking for that changes your interpretation.

Don't let it throw you. Don't hold on to one interpretation of the scene - relax and be flexible.

Answer 5

I think that most of the time they expect you to recearch the character first. One time I was reading cold, but I knew nothing about the character and later I found out that the character was supposed to have an accent. I didn't get the part, but I did get a part.

Answer 6

In most cases, yes, they do. Or, you have some time before the reading to go over the text and get some understanding of it.