Come Prepared
This doesn’t mean that you need to have your sides completely memorized. A casting director would much rather you have your sides with you to refer to rather than pausing in the middle of a scene because you forgot your line. They will NOT hold it against you, and prefer that your audition flows rather than be fragmented from scrambling to recall something in the scene. Be you and be professional. You may or may not get the opportunity to read all the material you have. Don’t fight it because there is always a reason if only a certain portion of the material is selected. Do not be discouraged by this, and never complain about it! Roll with the punches and always be prepared to cold read something else. This is always a very positive sign, because it means that they like you and potentially see you in an alternate role. Casting is aware that you have a short amount of time with any new material and will not hold that against you. Do your best to pivot and make choices on the new character.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
If you have a question about the scene or the character please ask. Casting is there to help the actor look GOOD and succeed. Obtaining additional information will allow you to elevate your performance. I highly recommend reading the entire breakdown (and script if possible) and learning as much as you can about the other characters. This will deepen your insight and allow you to make more unique choices based on your knowledge of the whole picture. ALWAYS ask if you have a question about the pronunciation of a word! This seems like it would be insignificant but I have seen it happen to countless actors during their audition. They mispronounce a word and they lose everyone immediately. Don’t let that be you.
You are the artist
Enter the room with confidence and grace. This energy will help put everyone at ease including the casting director and set the tone for you. Bring your take on the character into the room and make bold choices when you can. Everyone has something exclusive to offer, and this is one area where you can create something extraordinary that cannot be duplicated. Do not expect to be directed, as it may not happen. If it does, follow the direction as closely as you can even if it seems strange to you. There is always a reason behind it.
Be Professional
Do not bring any personal baggage or irrelevant conversation with you to the audition. Everyone will feel it and it will work against you. Be present, focused and confident in the choices you have made and deliver it naturally.
Remember You Are Awesome
While there are so many things in this business that are out of your control…knowing your worth is always within your control. Never forget that you are one of a kind and there is nobody else that can bring what you can to your performance. You are the one that ultimately holds the key to your own success. Be comfortable in your own skin. Own it. Believe it. And it will show. Confidence is attractive and endearing. Rock it and you will rock any audition and leave a lasting impression.
Keep Trying
There is no sugar coating it: acting is a tough business. If you have chosen to pursue acting you are amazing, brave and true to yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back for doing what you love and not being afraid! There are going to be many ups and downs along your individual path to success. The key is never giving up. If you don’t get something, then it wasn’t meant to be. Period. There are a million reasons why something didn’t go your way - fair or not fair. Pick yourself up and move on to the next opportunity. I have personally witnessed an Academy-Award nominated actress get fired from a series early on in her career. This was evidently a blessing in disguise as soon thereafter a role in a feature film catapulted her into stardom. You just never know what closed door may be an opening to something bigger and better.
