Alright I have some questions about callbacks...?

Question

What exactly do you do? I mean I know they give you a script and read from it. But as soon as you are handed the script are you expected to read the part without reading through it once?

Answer 1

The point of a cold read is to see what you can to with the character in the playwirghts given circumstances, not to see how well you do with no rehearsal. That is not going to tell a director how well you're going to perform the character in the show. That's not to say it never happens though, but director's want to cast the right person and a good actor, and putting people on the spot like that isn't going to help either party. Some director's like to do cold readings from the scipt at the initial auditions, so right off the bat they can see how well the actors fit the characters. Then, at callbakcs, they can see what the chemistry is like between actors called back for the same part. Other directors want monolgoues at auditions just to see if you can act and get an general idea of what "type" you are and then at callbacks, you'll read from the script and they can see if you fit what they're looking for, for the character.

As another poster mentioned above, when you get to the audition, they'll normally give you the sides and then you'll have sometime to look over them before you read. Really though, you should go into to the audition having read the entire play beforehand, because it can be hard to tell what the character is like or what their relationship is with their scene partner just from that one excerpt.

I was actually caught out at an audition for being unprepared because of that. I was asked by a director , who was on the panel at another audition I attended, to come audition for his later production of The Shape of Things by Neil La Bute. I procrastinated and wasn't able to get a hold of a copy of the play before going to the audition. Well, the sides were Evelyn's final monologue, which if you've actually read the play, you know what a climax it is and how it should be played. I didn't know and read it completely wrong. I didn't get the part and it was totally my fault for being unprepared (not to mention unprofessional). So, lesson learned. READ. THE. PLAY.

If you absolutely cannot get ahold of a copy of the play and are going in with no idea of the plot or the characters, at least, when you're doing the reading (and I have honestly never expereince a director not giving you enough time to at least skim through the script once) remember to make strong character and action choices. A strong choice that's "wrong" is 100x better than a weak choice that's "right".

Answer 2

Generally when you arrive, the sides will be there on the table where you sign in. If you were called back for Rapunzel then you take the pages with "Rapunzel" across the top and start studying. You don't have to fully memorize them, but it would be best for you to do your homework ahead of time. Yes it does happen that they can be short on scripts or pages and you may be handed the script at the last minute in which case you should do all you can to know this character.

Know as much about the show and character as you can. I gave you a link in my other answer. Here's a couple more:
http://stageagent.com/shows.php?id=766
http://www.hahns.tv/Musicals/Intothewoods/libretto.htm

This 2nd link is for the libretto (script). Search for the word "Rapunzel" and read everything pertaining to her if you don't have time to read the whole thing.

Other than that they should have told you what to expect (will you sing again, will you be dancing, etc.) Do some vocal warm-ups and stretches before going to the audition, that should help you feel more relaxed and prepared as well.

break a leg!

Answer 3

Alright yes and no. It is called a cold reading and usually you don;t get time to rehearse but if you have a good director then he or she will let you read the script first or hear it first it's not really that hard. Except the waiting for the cast list. I wish you the best of luck at call backs and feel free to contact me for more help.
Stella

Answer 4

You would do a cold reading of the script (meaning no chance to rehearse).

You would also, if it's a musical be taught a song and dance to perform also.


Good Luck.

Answer 5

you always say, "May I have a moment to look this over?" do so and quickly decide what you are going to do with it and say, "I'm ready/"

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Answer 6

yes, and that's the point, it's called a cold read. they want to see your presence and stature of how you can read something without practice!

for many people it's actually hard to do!!