At The Audition in One Source Talent
a. Arrive early
i. If you have not filled out an One Source Talent Audition Application or any other paperwork, it is important for you to arrive early so that you and your Mum or Dad can complete all the required forms before your scheduled audition time.
ii. If you have already received and filled out the forms, it is still important to arrive early so that you can be settled and at ease. This will increase your chances of doing a better audition than someone who is running late and has no time to prepare themself.
i. While you are waiting for your One Source Talent Audition, you are actually already auditioning. And when you’re waiting after your audition at the location, you’re still auditioning. Theatre folks are a tight knit community and the audition process is a way to field out red flags and trouble spots. PARENTS, this goes for you too: If you are a “stage parent” and causing friction at the audition location you may cost your kid a role. It happens more than you think. Be easy going and a team player.
c. Butterflies and Stage Fright
i. The directors aren’t nervous if they’ve done their homework and know what they are looking for. What? Directors nervous? Maybe stressful would be a better word. Directors only have a set number of hours to field auditionees, and they do NOT want to make a mistake and overlook any gems. The director’s mind is going into overdrive thinking of all the possible role combinations for each auditionee. A good producer will have staff on hand to assist with the audition sign-in process. The directors need to focus 100% on the auditionees without distraction.
ii. Overcoming Stage Fright is not any easy task but it can be done! Keep in mind that every Director wants you to have a good experience auditioning for a show.
iii. Help yourself overcome stage fright by practicing your song, dance, monologue, scene or whatever you are performing...to the point where you no longer have to think about the action itself...in other words, it becomes "second nature".
iv. Rehearsing both mentally and physically will help you to know and understand your own talent. This is important as you need to know that you are capable of performing the task at hand. Practice to gain confidence in your own abilities and try to do this is as close to the real circumstances under which you will perform. This will help to "desensitize" you to the experience.
v. All performers experience some degree of performance anxiety. Do not ever think that you are alone in this experience! The trick is to channel your nervous energy into positive energy which helps you to perform at your best.
vi. What are some of the symptoms of stage fright you ask? Everyone will experience it differently, some of the things it may include are; giggling, nervous talking, rapid heartbeat, frequently running to the potty, quick short breaths, withdrawal from conversation, dry mouth or throat, sweating and becoming short tempered. These are many of the same symptoms that people with general anxiety experience. vii. Over time you will develop your own methods for coping with performance anxiety. For now, you could try some of the following methods: 1. Positive self-talk 2. Focussing on the Character you are portraying and NOT yourself. 3. Picture yourself at the audition and see yourself having a positive experience. Imagine the applause of an appreciative crowd. 4. Write down an explanation of your pictured positive experience. This will help make it real. 5. Keep in mind that it is good to be a perfectionist and set high goals for yourself but make sure your goals are within your reach. If you set unattainable goals you are setting yourself up for disappointment and possible failure. 6. Ask an adult you trust how they cope with anxiety. 7. The majority of actors find that, with more performance and audition experience, things become easier. Everyone learns to overcome their anxiety at a different place. Please be patient with yourself and others.
