Everyone has to start somewhere, and the beginning can often be a scary place. What is obvious to everyone else may be murky to you, and asking questions can seem too intimidating to contemplate. So here, for everyone who wants to be an actor but are too nervous to ask the basics, is a simple breakdown of how to attend an audition and seem like an old pro. What did we forget? What should every brand-new actor know to do at his or her first audition?
Your professional headshot (not a selfie!) must be in color and the same size as your résumé.
Yes, you need a résumé. For tips on what to include on it, watch this video!
Don’t dress in costume; never do more than dress in an outfit that suggests that character. Some casting directors appreciate an actor coming in costume, but why take that chance?
Be polite when you walk in the room but don’t waste everyone’s time with chitchat. If the casting director wants to talk before the audition, he or she will let you know.
It’s OK to hold the sides while auditioning, but you should know the lines well enough to not bury your face in them.
After the audition, thank everyone for their time and then leave.
Create a post-audition ritual. Some people throw the sides away as soon as they leave the building; others keep an audition journal and, after writing about the experience, are able to put it out of their minds. Find something that works for you.
Don’t sweat it if you don’t get a callback. You can be the best pistachio ice cream in the world, but you can’t help it if a casting director wants mint chocolate chip.