Whether you get a script on the spot when you walk in the door or it’s emailed to you the day before, you need to make quick, strong choices. Unlike a play where you can develop your character over weeks and months in performance, cold-copy auditions are about broad strokes and living the character not reading lines.
1. Determining questions to answer. Is the character good or bad? Rich or poor? Educated or illiterate? Happy or sad? Angry or easy-going? Does he/she have an accent? What is his or her job description (lawyer, doctor, mom, vampire, cop, spy, etc.)? What do they want in the scene? Make these choices in minutes and play fromthe “surface” of your energy. Just be present!
They will know that you’re a pro if you can jump in to show them a simple sketch of where you’ll take the character when cast. You’re giving them something that’s real and uniquely yours. Then, if they ask you to take direction you can see what elements of your choices they like. Go for it! By responding to direction you suddenly are working together as a team before you’re cast. It shows your ability to adapt. This is important since scripts are often rewritten up to the last minute
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