Let’s be frank: The college audition process is stressful. But what if there were a way to mitigate that stress? Well, by identifying some of the most common college audition mishaps—and how to avoid them—industry and Backstage Experts want to help you do just that below.
Rushing your preparation:
“Applying to college is incredibly time-consuming: studying for and taking standardized tests, collecting transcripts and letters of recommendation, writing essays, submitting applications. But don’t forget that you need to add audition prep to this list! When I work with high school students, we begin preparing their monologues junior year so they have ample time to choose and practice their pieces wisely, and also to film the video pre-screen.
“Every November, I get a frantic call from a student asking for help and though technically there is still time, it feels like a rush job. Start early.” —Denise Simon, New York-based acting coach, career consultant, and Backstage Expert
Not fully understanding the material:
“Be prepared to answer specific questions about the play and the monologue: What just happened before you begin this speech? Where have you come from? Who are you talking to, and why you are saying these words? Know the speech so well that if we ask you to make an adjustment to the piece, it will not throw your concentration. We are looking for flexibility and the actor’s ability to play and take direction.” —Barbara Mackenzie-Wood, Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama faculty
READ: How to Choose & Apply to an Acting College Program
Choosing the wrong material to begin with:
“It’s very unlikely that a 24-year-old actor will be able to persuade me that he (or she) understands Lear’s life experience, so as beautiful and as powerful a text as ‘O, reason not the need’ is, it’s probably not a good choice for the vast majority of graduate school candidates. There are many, many other characters from the Shakespeare canon that offer wonderful opportunities for a younger actor. That said, I’m not going to tell any actor, ‘No, you can’t use that piece.’ Actors feel at home in all sorts of material, and that’s one thing I’m interested in—what is this actor attracted to?” —Walton Wilson, chair of the acting department at the Yale School of Drama
Songs that don’t show your range:
“When you are asked to do two songs, make sure that there is a strong distinction between your pieces. This is a chance to show different sides of yourself, so think beyond the obvious contrast of up-tempo and ballad. Maybe you could do one piece that is a sassy, confident character and another that shows a vulnerable, tender side. Or choose a piece that plays to your ability with comedic patter and one that exhibits a pure, clean vocal line.” —Andrew Byrne, voice teacher, performer, composer-lyricist, and Backstage Expert
Letting in outside world distraction:
“When you’re waiting around for hours in a holding room before an audition, you’re going to be tempted to turn to your phone to pass the time. Although it might seem helpful, you never know when you may receive a pre-screen or college admissions decision from another school by email or a text about the latest drama within your friend group.
“Any interaction with the outside world can throw you off. So it’s crucial that you avoid any activity on your phone that will distract you from staying focused on your job that day: bringing your best to your college audition.” —Tom Morin, professional actor, NYC-based acting coach, and Backstage Expert
Eye contact that’s too direct:
“Have a focus point on the wall. It’s best to look just above the heads of the auditors, or to the left or right of them. And by just, we mean just. Don’t look directly at us when singing or acting.” —JV Mercanti and Grant Kretchik, Backstage Experts
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