*Unrelated note, Twelfth Night closed a few weeks ago. It was well received and sold out for most of the run! I don't like to talk about endings, though, so 'nuff said.
I had another audition today for a play titled Sylvia by A.R. Gurney. It's actually quite a funny play. I know I did a good job, because I got called back, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow.
Personal business aside, I would like to talk about the audition process for a bit. I've noticed two things that puzzle and annoy me during these past two auditions.
The first thing, the puzzling thing, is the clothes that people wear to audition in. Namely females. I understand that it is important to look nice, but seriously, ladies, high heels and short skirts or dresses is a logical choice for an audition. First of all, many women who wear high heels have no idea how to walk in them and look elegant. Most of them look like they're going to topple over at every instant. In the audition you want everything about you to exude confidence. It is very hard to do that when you walk like a penguin in heels. And just to address the dresses: don't do it. I know it's tempting and you may look lovely, but it severely restricts the movement you can do without a) ruining your dress and b) exposing yourself to the director! Wear a skirt if you want to, as long as it is long and allows for movement. Honestly, the best thing to wear is a good set of jeans that you can move freely in, a shirt that allows the same free movement, and a pair of shoes that you can actually walk in!
The second thing, the annoying thing, is the comments that people who wear the dresses and heels make. They roll their eyes if asked to move at a pace faster than an old woman's shuffle. I overheard one very nice woman say that she was not going to get down on all fours (Sylvia is actually a dog. It's a strange play....) and if the director didn't like it she could suck it. Now, this is wrong on so many levels, namely being that as an actor, especially an actor looking for a job, you never ever say the director can suck it, whether or not the director can hear you is immaterial. Taking that attitude toward the director will color your audition, and believe me the director will see it. Directors have seen hundreds upon hundreds of actors audition, and they can immediately tell who has it and who doesn't, and by "it" I am not talking about talent. I am talking about a willingness to work with the director. Taking the attitude of "I DO WHAT I WANT" is, frankly, stupid, because as an actor you don't always do what you want. You must sometimes bow to the directors wishes. If you take that attitude during the audition, the directors will notice, and they will not call you back.
So there, two things that annoy me at an audition, even if when people do those things, it gives me a better chance of landing the role, it is still annoying.
The most important thing to remember is that acting is a lot more than mere talent. There are a lot more traits that the director looks for in potential actors than how well you delivered lines. As soon as you step into the theatre your audition has started, so be prepared and vigilant.
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