Ah, yes...the dreaded audition. Necessary. Terrifying. Nerve-wracking. Stressful.
All of the above and more.
The audition is, unfortunately, the only way us artsy people get a chance to showcase our talent in approximately sixty to ninety seconds. The audition is our job interview. It's been said that auditors know in the first ten to twenty seconds of your audition whether they like you or not. So basically, barely enough time to introduce yourself and open your mouth to begin your monologue or song. Scary, huh?
I have been influenced to fear the almighty audition; that it is something that must be manipulated and overcome. Well, that sounds hard. And it is. See, I would like to loooove auditioning. I would like to remove the fright; the sweating, stuttering, and suffering, and enjoy the process. Love the process.
Because, as an actress, without auditioning? I will be unemployed.
If the only way to achieve success in my performance career is to audition like crazy, I don't want to be afraid. I want to love auditioning as much as I love the art form.
So the next time that I'm nervous about an upcoming audition, I've got to remember these ten reasons why I should be thankful for the process; why I should love it:
1. It feels good to be heard.
In the simplest way, you get to be the center of someone's attention for at least thirty seconds. Sure, they may be eating a bagel while they stare at you, but often you are met with smiles and nods. And that feels really good.
2. You get to be someone else for sixty seconds or sixteen bars.
One of the most satisfying parts of being an actor/singer/dancer/performer is getting to express yourself or a part of yourself in a new way or through a new character. I love working on characters who are different from me because I get to escape my own world, and live in someone else's. While this may be extremely pleasurable during a full-length show, getting to be someone else for just a small amount of time is equally as freeing.
3. You literally have free reign to show off.
As an auditionee, the stage is yours. Own it. You have a whole minute(s) to show off every best quality that you can muster up. You can't be blamed for being an "attention whore" or a "drama queen" when the entire purpose of auditioning is to show off!
4. You get to meet new people.
Networking is especially important as a performer, but meeting new people isn't always about cozy-ing up with the well-known director or choreographer. Meeting fellow actors and auditionees can not only spawn fun friendships, but it can also lead to more opportunities in the future. Besides, no one understands actors better than other actors.
5. It can be a great workout.
If your audition includes a dance call, be prepared to sweat. Nothing makes you work harder, dance tighter and smile bigger than being watched by 15 auditors while a choreographer shouts counts in perfect tempo. It's exhilarating and you'll the theater leave feeling high on endorphins.
6. You get to observe other artists.
Observation is a wonderful way to expand your craft. At auditions, you often times get to take a sneak peak at your fellow talent. By watching them perform, while keeping an open-mind, you can learn a lot. Since most auditions involve cold readings, you also get to interact with a brand new person in a brand new way and observe how they work. It's about learning, not competing.
7. You have the opportunity to try out new material.
Auditioning is always more fun if you love the pieces that you are performing. Since auditions are only a short snippet of who you are, it's a great place to have fun with some new monologues or songs. I love to audition with a fresh piece because it gives me the chance to experience a new character with an audience's reaction. (Instead of just alone in my room in front of my expressionless elephant figurines.)
8. It's a possibility for a new adventure.
The most exciting part about auditioning is knowing that a new adventure, character, show or experience could come from it. Whether you are cast or not, traveling to a new town for an audition could literally be an adventure in itself. The best part is not knowing the outcome or the journey which awaits once the audition concludes.
9. It's good practice.
Every audition is a chance to get better. It's a chance to grow, change, work harder, gain confidence, and to perfect your craft. In short, it's the ultimate practice for improving creativity and self-esteem.
10. You get to be brave.
Lastly, pursuing performance takes a lot of bravery. Any person who wishes to be a successful actor/singer/dancer deserves credit for putting their being on the line and risking rejection. Even if it's over in an instant, it can be the bravest sixty seconds of your life.
