How to Prepare for an Audition

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Auditions may seem scary, but they don't have to be. Believe it or not, you can even have fun! In fact, having fun at the audition can help you get a part. Come prepared, and the rest will come to you.

Steps

1. Find out all you can about the audition. When is it, where is it, what is the audition for, and what you're required to bring. Write it all down if you must. You can never be too prepared!
   
2. Don't be shy. Allow friends, relatives, or colleagues to watch your performance prior to your audition so that they may give you constructive criticism you can utilize to make your performance better. If you can, ask other performers for tips to help you improve your performance.
   
3. Practice, Practice, Practice! If you are trying out for a play, research the material and familiarize yourself with it. If it is an audition for a singing role, practice scales, do voice exercises, and pinpoint your strengths as well as where you need improvement. Often, you will be asked questions about your vocal range, which singing style you feel most comfortable with, and with which vocal parts you have the most experience.
   
4. The night before the audition, gather any materials you may be required to bring with you. These may include head shots, sheet music, history of theater experience, or prepared monologues. Once you have gotten all your materials together and ready to go, get to bed early in order to be well-rested for the day ahead.
   
5. The morning of the audition, eat a balanced breakfast. Avoid acidic or greasy foods, chocolate and coffee as best you can, as these damage your vocal chords and make it harder to be at your best. If you are a smoker, do your best to put your morning cigarette off until after your audition, especially if you will be singing. Don't slack off on the hygiene, either; you don't want your performance to be memorable for its smell. Dress appropriately, but comfortably and wear sensible shoes. And always remember to do your vocal warm-ups before you arrive at your audition.
   
6. Arrive reasonably early to your audition, as there will inevitably be a moderately large amount of people there before you. Also, if you are unfamiliar with the area where the audition will be held, allow time in your schedule to make sure you won't arrive late.
   
7. Don't chicken out. When you arrive, there may be a large crowd of people, but it's perfectly normal to be nervous. Just remember all the hard work you put into preparing for your audition, and walk in smiling with your head held high.
   

Tips

• Stay calm before and during your audition. Try to channel your excitement into your performance to make it vibrant and exciting for those will be watching.
  
• If you become overwhelmed by stage-fright during your audition, it is always better to improvise than to freeze up like a deer in headlights. If you forget a line of the monologue, fake it. If you forget a line in your song, vocalize instead. Most won't even notice, and the ones who do will appreciate your creativity and ability to keep your performance going under duress.
  
• Smile and speak confidently, no mumbling!
  
• Remember, there will always be more auditions. If at first you don't succeed, keep trying until you do.
  

Warnings

• Do not attempt to use bribes to get a part, it does not work and can ruin your reputation as well as undermine your value and talent as a performer.
  
• Do not trash talk other performers who are at the audition. Not only will the directors find out, this will result in others not wanting to work with you, which damages your reputation and prevents you from enjoying future opportunities.
  

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