Making Auditions more user friendly

Wed, 7 June 2006, 06:36 pm

alanm16 posts in thread

I've often found that attending auditions with a new theatre group can be quite daunting. I discussed this with my fellow cast members in Darlington's upcoming "Table Manners" (a must to see incidently), very few people turned up for the auditions and of those who did (I'm talking about me here)the welcome was not what you would call 'friendly'. That is not to say that people were rude or unfriendly, just that they weren't warm and welcoming. Having said that, they are a great and committed bunch to work with and are very friendly now we have all got to know each other (just like normal life I suppose). Perhaps if more effort were made to make people feel at home during auditions (this probably doesn't apply to those who a) know a large proportion of people on Perth's theatre scene or b) those who are supremely confident in their ability and within themselves)more people would be encouraged to come again or bring their friends with them, thereby increasing the pool of available actors. While we are on the subject, I've often thought that a day's training, group workshop or some sort of dummy run might be a winner, at least it would give the first timers (and a lot of others, me included) some hints on what to do to ensure that we get the part that we would like, or a part anyway. It could be made into a fun day for all and help raise the standard, after all isn't that what it's all about. I'll be most interested to see what other people think of this.

Interesting Thoughts

Thu, 8 June 2006, 08:22 am

Labrug

I have to say that I have not bee to many auditions where there was a warm and welcoming environment. Especially with 'professional' theatre. In fact it is usually much like the Idol auditions without the mass numbers and mad presenters. Basically a crowd (or group) shoved through one by one (or in groups depending on the process) to be labled and catagorised.

I'd say that the general air comes from a need to get the cast filled and depending on the number of applicants, this could me a desperate search to fill missing numbers or having to tell a number of hopefuls 'thank you and goodbye' or both. Having just recently just on the other side of the fence myself, and having also been on interview panels for government employment processes, I can tell you the "dread" of the event is just as real for the interviewer and can put a real "downer" over the whole process.

Obviously attempting to create a welcoming process would be of benefit to the audtionees and I agree with you on that. The question becomes how to achieve that easily without detracting from the needs of the production itself.

You also make comment about "Day's Training" or "Dummy run". Some theaters do engage a process that I think you are implying. Some will hold advanced Readings where hopefuls can prepare themselves with a read through of the script before deciding on auditioning. This is not done by all and really depends on what the Director is looking for. Some directors do not like their prospective cast to know much about the script prior to rehearsals. Others are not so secretive.

In the end, there is no definitive way to hold auditions and is up to the tastes of the Director or Producer. The challenge for the Auditionee is to be able to tackle what ever is thrown at them and show their star qualities whatever the environment.

Dixi

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer

http://au.geocities.com/labrug

Thread (16 posts)

Threaded Flat

Making Auditions more user friendly— alanm7 June 2006

Interesting Thoughts— Labrug8 June 2006
Auditions— Serebear8 June 2006
- I've done I think two— Kirilee14 June 2006
Audition Stresses— Alex Milne15 June 2006
- audition stresses— trevnosh21 June 2006
  - Harsh— Neville Talbot21 June 2006
    - Agreed— Logos21 June 2006
      - ···
        On the nail— Labrug22 June 2006
audition stresses— trevnosh21 June 2006
I think your absolutely— melody22 June 2006
Auditions— Logos22 June 2006
Encouragement— alanm22 June 2006
no worries with the name— Alex Milne28 June 2006
I was only trying to say— alanm6 July 2006
- On the watch— Labrug7 July 2006

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