Tips for Dealing with Acting Auditions like a Pro

Being professional when auditioning can lead to being a professional actor. Like it or not, auditioning is part of the actor's life. It's the barrier that stands between wanting the part and obtaining it. In an audition, you want to make a lasting, positive first impression. Since casting directors often work on many projects, it's an impression that may ricochet to more opportunities down the road.

Being prepared is the actor's primary job on the audition. You need to immediately work on memorizing them when they arrive. Use whatever tools you have at hand to help you. Consider taping your reading the lines into a recorder, then playing them back. Know all of the dialogue pages that will be read at the audition. If the audition is on book, the term used when actors are allowed to read from the screenplay during the audition, memorizing the lines is still necessary. They don't tell you this, but it will help you. You don't want to have your nose stuck to the page when you are being filmed for later review.

Dress for success. Wear an outfit appropriate for the scene, unless it's an outrageous character, such as an alien or a prostitute. If you have questions, make sure you have people you can trust for an honest answer. If you don't know industry professionals, try to study at a reputable acting studio where you can meet great mentors and teachers.

Put on a smile before you go in the audition room. Even if you are playing a suicidal maniac, you need to walk into the audition as a competent, warm professional. Although that can mess with prior prep work you were doing on the character, it's a must for the audition process. The casting director must get a glimpse of your fun personality before you get into character. Casting directors will likely be working with you many times if you continue to work in the industry. It only makes sense that they would want to surround themselves with professional, polite and friendly actors.

Say hi when you walk into the audition. Introduce yourself by your full name. Answer questions politely, letting your true personality shine. Don't complain, though, even if your commute to the audition was hellish or the receptionist was rude. Be calm and pleasant. Then, let yourself go into character, even if you need to ask for a minute.

Try to block out the room in the actual audition. Visualize the character's environment. Know that the people in the room are on your side, as they want you to succeed. Nothing makes casting directors happier than finding just the right actor that will thrill the producers and director. Be confident that you can give them what they want.