When an actor goes to an audition what exactly does he do?

Answer 1

An audition may include almost any conceivable requirement.

Depending on the nature of the production (film, television, stage, voice-over, musical, etc.), the size of the role (lead, supporting, 5-and-under, etc.), and the material available with which to prepare, and audition may last 10 seconds or 30 minutes, not including lobby-time.

If you’re auditioning for:

1. Film or television – you’re usually reading for the casting director or a casting associate (a callback audition could put you in front of the director or producer), working with a scene from the script (called a “side,” often available in advance via your representation) and your audition is a demonstration of your interpretation of the character in the context of that moment in the film or television episode. This kind of audition can take place in small studio of the casting director’s office or it may be on the lot of the studio where production is taking place, or anything in between. Your audition may or may not be videotaped. You may get to run the scene(s) with another actor or with an casting assistant; you may get a second or third take, but you might read it once and be done.

2. Stageplay – this usually calls for you to present a monologue from play of your choice (other than the one being cast); you would be expected to choose material from contrasting theatrical styles if two monologues are required. Your reading could take place on the very stage where the play will be performed or in a rehearsal hall or anything of the like, and it is not uncommon for the director of the play to have an active hand in the audition process from the very beginning.

3. Musical – similar to auditioning for a play, reading for a musical also requires a demonstration of your talent as a singer and/or a dancer. If you are auditioning for any of the main characters, you will doubtlessly be expected to sing, with or without accompaniment, a song from another musical, an opera or a classical piece, though other song forms are often acceptable. Your dance portion of the audition may take place in a group setting with passes and combinations set forth by the show’s choreographer and immediate, progressive elimination.

4. Voice-over – whether you are auditioning for an announcer, a narrator, a cartoon or animated character, an overdub, or radio commercial, a voice-over audition is amazingly straightforward. It requires stepping into a sound booth and reading the text, copy or character right off the page and straight into the microphone with all the microphone technique and vocal skills you can bring to bear given the parameters of the role. You may be asked, with very little preparation time, to emulate the vocal characteristics of a person much younger or older than you are, or of vastly a different ethnicity or regional dialect. Voice-over actors prepare themselves to deliver performances displaying immense versatility. There are obvious exceptions – certain voice personalities are unique and highly distinct, such as movie trailer announcers, radio newscasters, cartoon heroes, etc., and some who specialize in these areas seldom venture outside of their niche. For everyone else, flexibility and imagination are indispensible.

5. Television commercial – by far the least predictable audition for an actor to attend. You may be asked to do a brief section of the commercial being produced – imagine the thousands of commercials that have flashed before your eyes in a lifetime of watching TV. With or without adequate props, somewhat in costume or not at all, with or without any fellow actors, you may be asked to portray, ever so briefly: a pilot, an athlete, any permutation of family members, a student, a criminal, a love interest, a buffoon, a valet, a mad scientist; someone in pain, overjoyed, in outer space, momentarily confused, asleep, outraged, on horseback, caught in a lie, dancing, eating, drinking, cooking, welding, waiting; alone, in a crowd of hundreds, in a full car…literally anything conceivable. They’re sometimes the least rewarding auditions (drive all across town and back to get to 4 different places, where sometimes the only performance you’re asked for is to smile, say your name and show your left and right profiles on camera), but they have been known to pay out the most lucrative residual income available to a working actor.

That, in a nutshell, is what an actor might be asked to do at an audition.

There are thousands of actors in Los Angeles hoping to crack the nut, only a small percentage of them treat the audition process in a consistently professional manner in such a way as to get cast regularly enough to be called a working actor – an artist whose primary livelihood comes from their work as an actor/singer/dancer/performer (even a musician).

Developing a thick skin is an absolute necessity, but so is the skill of being emotionally available enough to get into the heart and mind of the characters you hope to portray

Answer 2

When Attending An Audition An Actor Plays A Roll Either One Prepared From The Script To Be Used For The Roll Or Some Improvised Material To Showcase Talent Or Otherwise. It Depends Upon What Is Being Auditioned For And Who You Need To Impress?
Basically They Go Along And Act A Part In The Hope They Get Hired.

Answer 3

Songsmyth hit all the nails on the head. Give him the best answer he deserves!

My only thing to add would be that for a musical, you're often asked to sing 16 or 32 bars of a song, usually in a specific style (uptempo, ballad, etc.) in your range or original key) and 95% of the time you sing first. If you sing very well you move on to either dancing or reading, whatever they feel is next important. Though usually the audition notice states the audition song & any dance requirements up front (as well as whether or not there will be an accompanist, etc.) every once in a while they leave out something important. Always be prepared! Bring a tape or CD with your music just in case. Bring a couple extra music selections as well because not every accompanists can play every compser (particularly Jason Robert Brown and Sondheim) and always bring your dance shoes and clothing you can move in. Oh, and always thank the accompanist. They deserve it :-)

Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

One first fills out the appropriate paperwork and hands his resume to the director/casting director. Then one would wait for his turn to go up and perform a monologue they have memorized for the audition (maybe two). They'd also do a "cold reading"- reading a selection of the script of the play they're auditioning for. In musicals, you'd do a dance workshop and also perform a song.

Answer 5

Well i have seen a lot of auditions already bcoz i was once with my cousin who had an audition and fortunately she is an actress now.
Well, simply, you must have the bag of tricks. Meaning you have to be very versatile.
They can let you dance, sing, act, or do monologue.
So expect the unexpected. There are only 2 possible reasons that a person can be in:
I'ts when you are so talented even if you aren't that handsome or pretty or it's when your beauty is really stunning that you poses the star appeal.
In my cousin's case, she was just so beautiful at that time, but at that time, her sister was even more talented than her but the jurors were stunned by her beauty. However, they were both chosen.
And it is good to be yourself. Just act naturally.

Answer 6

It means that ANYONE can audition. Closed auditions would be where you have to get an appointment to get in.

Answer 7

they do their best and feel as if they have the whole stage to them self