Having spent numerous years in the audition room, I can honestly say that for many actors, the need to “do something” seems to be an addiction.
Instead of trusting that the words/lyrics have their own dramatic weight, many actors feel that they have to move about in their auditions (and onstage) in order to impress or to feel in the moment. If you are one of these actors who tend to gesticulate (often wildly) with your hands, or have a penchant to sit/stand/walk about in your auditions, consider this: stillness can be your best friend.
Many times, I am pulled out of a fascinating scene or song because the actor has decided to move extraneously about the room. If you are going to move, pick your moments carefully and make sure that such movement is motivated. Why are you moving? Is there something that has just been said by you or the other character that motivates you to stand/turn away/come forward? If so, great. If not, then please trust in yourself and the scene, and stand still. Trust in the text. Trust in the power of the moment.
In the various seminars I teach, a question that often comes up is, “If I don’t move, won’t my audition/scene be boring?” OK, sure, if you
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