I’ve known hundreds of talented, gifted actors who never had the careers they should have—all because they never mastered the art of getting the job. They looked at auditioning as the artistic stepchild to “real” acting. It was the “necessary evil” they had to endure before they were allowed to act. I always had the feeling they felt it was somehow beneath them.
This has always been untrue, and never more so than today.
Auditioning has become a more dynamic, creative process than ever before, and necessarily so, given the level of skill and creativity it takes to book a job in today’s ultra-competitive job market. Your way of working has to help you to go deep—to discover shades in yourself and in the text that will not only help you to book the job, but will also make you a better actor.
A great audition strikes the perfect balance between preparedness and flexibility.
The people in the room want to see who you are and what you have to add to the role. They do not want to see a set finished performance. This is the job interview, not the job.
If they like what they see from you, they will want to work with you, adjust you. You won’t be able to adjust,
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