As you progress with your improv and start looking for opportunities to perform, sooner or later you
may need to audition. Let’s look at how improv auditions work and if there’s anything you can do to perform well in them. What are you auditioning for? Generally speaking, you will either be auditioning to join a specific show(s) or join a team who may or may not have ongoing shows. If you are auditioning for a show, then that show will usually have a director you are auditioning for. If you are auditioning to join a team you may be auditioning for the team or perhaps the coach for that team. Preparation You should prepare for the audition in the same way you would prepare for anything you want to perform well at. These are some obvious (but not always followed) suggestions: - Turn up on time, probably 15 minutes early. As well as leaving a good impression this stops any last-minute panic of thinking you’re not going to make it in time. - Turn up well rested. Being tired does not tend to lead to good improv. - Turn up sober. This should be obvious. - Wear comfortable clothing. You may well be moving around a lot. - Bring a drink. It’s important to stay hydrated. What happens in an audition? An audition will usually take the form of a workshop led by the director/coach/one of the team. The person leading the audition will often take some time at the start to explain more about what you are auditioning for, how the audition will work and what they may be looking for. The workshop will then feel much like any other improv class. After the workshop you’ll be advised, usually via email, whether you were successful. You will often have a chance to ask for feedback if you are unsuccessful. How can you do well? Well that’s the million-dollar question isn’t it! I find performing well either in auditions or shows can be split in to 2 areas; technical improv and your state of mind. From a technical side of things, at this point you’ve probably been to at least a few classes and may have an opinion or had feedback on areas that you may be stronger or weaker in and been told a load of ‘improv rules/guidelines’. It’s impossible to remember every note or improv guideline, so I find it helpful to concentrate on focusing on only 3 things before an audition or show. This could be anything you think could be helpful; from remembering to initiate scenes, finding emotion on stage, physicality or playing at the top of your intelligence. Just don’t overload yourself. Your state of mind can also have a big impact on how you improvise. Anxiety and nerves about an audition, or stresses and worry in the “real” world can all sometimes lead to a negative performance. Improvisers will deal with this in different ways; some improvisers may mediate or focus on stretching before a show/audition. Personally, I like to get my energy up and have even been known to shadow box! Ultimately, do whatever’s best for you. The advice of ‘don’t care about auditions’ is often given out as a way to take the pressure off. I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with caring about something you want to do well in, but I’d suggest aiming for a ‘relaxed caring’ if you can! Care about the audition, be at your best but try and have fun. That’s probably when you’ll do your best improv! What if I’m not successful? Don’t worry about it! There could be lots of reasons you weren’t chosen, many of which have nothing to do with your improv ability. Director’s/teams have to make sure shows/teams are well balanced and it may be that they just felt someone else was more suitable this time. There’ll be other opportunities and if you want some feedback just ask. I hope that was useful and good luck for any auditions you may have in the future! - Mark
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Written by- John Gallagher Portero Archives
June 2020
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