How you can make a standout audition...

Auditions are a very important stage of the industry. They are a time
consuming process for casting directors and they are the gateway for actors
landing roles. Only under rare circumstances do actors not have to audition or
test to see if they are right for a role, so it is vital for an actor to know the
makings of a good audition to make a good impression whilst auditioning
and catch the eye of casting directors.

Engaging Introduction
Don’t feel the need to rush into the audition, briefly introducing yourself and
showcasing your personality can show enthusiasm. Not that the audition
itself isn’t the main purpose, but seeing a bit of yourself before seeing a
character can be more inviting and more engaging for the casting director.
For in person auditions; speak with the casting directors, ask questions, be
friendly and get to know them. It’s important to make an impression, this will
help you be more memorable. Be professional, follow the script; don’t
improvise unless they’ve allowed it, show up on time, and don’t be giving one
word answers. Being conversational shows your interest in the role and your
interest in being there.

Believe What You’re Saying
It is important to understand your character. Explore their feelings, their
motives and what they’re arc is going to be. Don’t just read the lines on the
page, because that isn’t being a character. Character research enhances the
authenticity of your performance. Building a connection to your character’s
inner life will make your performance more believable and helps engage the
audience and their belief in your portrayal.
Analyse the script and really get to know the character, delve into their
backstory and identify their journey and their goals. Consider questions like;
Where did they come from? What does your character want in this scene?
What are they trying to achieve? How does your character evolve throughout
the scene?

“Acting is the ability to behave absolutely truthfully under the imaginary circumstances.”
​- Sanford Meisner

Remember Your Lines
Don’t go into an audition unprepared. Thorough preparation is essential for a
successful audition. Casting directors value actors who are confident and well
rehearsed. Consistent practice, even in short bursts, is key to building strong
muscle memory and deepens the understanding of your character, allowing
you to deliver a more polished performance.

Actions Speak Louder than Words
Reading the lines is a crucial part of the audition, but they’re not the only tool
you can use to show the best performance. Using body language is also a
great way to show emotion and add depth to a character, sometimes without
saying a word. Expressing yourself physically can convey a lot about a
character’s personality, their emotions and their thoughts by using a variety of
different movements; from posture to how you sit, walk, gestures, facial
expressions, eye contact and more subtle micro expressions like a twitch or a
shift in demeanour.

Confidence
Building confidence takes time and effort. While it's important to present
yourself confidently, focus on inner confidence that comes from thorough
preparation and a deep understanding of your character. It’s completely
normal to feel nervous or anxious going into an audition, being prepared will
increase your confidence and relax you in the process. Going back to making
a good impression, keep your head high, enunciate correctly, show good body
language, and don’t forget to smile. Ultimately, the most important thing is to
let your passion for acting shine through. When you're truly engaged with the
material and enjoying the process, your confidence will come naturally.

Know the Format
The general rule for theatre is make sure they can hear you on the last row,
and although that doesn’t apply to screen acting, that doesn’t mean you can
whisper. You still need to be heard, understand how you need to deliver a line,
if it’s softly or quietly spoken, do so in a way that is still heard, it is important
that you are understood. Tailor your delivery and be versatile to the script's
demands, Ensuring, whatever the requirements, your performance will be
impactful and authentic.

Variety
Preparation is vital for the audition, knowing your delivery and understanding
the emotion of the character and reasons and if this changes based on the
subtext of the scene. It’s important to know these changes and use this with
your character. Shifting emotions and seeing how the performance changes
during the scene creates an arc for the character. It’s important to let
performance feel natural, and let it evolve over time. You don’t want to be
giving a one note performance, this makes it harder to connect with the
character if we don’t understand their emotions or their motives.
Variety in delivery is also crucial for a compelling audition. Preparing multiple
approaches to your lines and actions demonstrates a deep understanding of
your character and your ability to adapt. Casting directors may ask you to try a
different delivery for a section or a specific line. Having this already prepared
and practiced will convey the work you’ve done towards this and your overall
passion for the project.

Adapt
You’re going to be given feedback from your audition. It’s good to get some
direction on how to improve, or what you can try differently, or even what you
have done well. It’s key to pay attention to this feedback, have an open mind
about what they’re telling you, remember it, and use it. Think of constructive
criticism as an opportunity to refine your performance and deepen your
understanding of the character. Remember you can ask questions to get a
broader understanding of what they want, then when you use this feedback,
you can respond effectively and show the growth of your performance.
To get used to this, consider running your performance by someone else
before your audition. Getting notes from a friend first, so you can go in with
the best mind set possible.
​
It is important to note that you’re not going to be hired for every role you
audition for, and that is completely fine, every actor has faced rejection, that is
all part of the process, and this brings room for growth. Some roles are just
right for certain people, you have to find the ones that are right for you. The
right roles will come to those who are dedicated, patient and passionate to
their craft. The persistence of an actor will never go unnoticed.

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Author

Hayden Simpson