Today we begin a series by Joshua Finkel called “The Coach’s Corner.” Finkel is an acting coach, director, and performer. He runs the Creative Combustion Acting Studio in Studio City.
This is the first installment in a ten-part series about what to do during an audition.
RULE NO. 1: ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE!
Be a nice, responsible and prepared actor. Always be yourself and present the most positive side of yourself when you walk in, greet the room, or when talking to all members in the room. This goes for talking to the monitor outside to the accompanist and the staff behind the table. When I’ve met someone I’ve liked or maybe am wondering if how they were in the room was how they REALLY are outside the room, I have asked the audition monitor ‘how was ‘so and so’ in the waiting room?’ If the response comes back not positive or negative, that helps me decide if I want them on my team at 10 a.m. in rehearsal on Monday morning. Also know it’s a small world out there. Folks do call each other and ask the folks you list on your resume how you were to work with. So don’t lie on your resume. Don’t list directors or casting folks you have not worked with. The lie could be uncovered quite easily. It’s also very important to show up on time, prepared, friendly, courteous, and be a team player from audition to closing of the show. Also remember that this business is a roller coaster; even though you may be a ‘star today’ you could be unemployed or offered a small ensemble role in another show. Likewise, the rehearsal pianist may one day be the next Tony award winning composer and be able to hire you because they liked working with you years before. You never know, so keep your ego in check and treat EVERYONE with the respect, professionalism and kindness that you would request yourself. It sounds obvious, but good AND bad memories linger so keep creating good memories for you and others. Also don’t be a flake, don’t have an audition appointment and then not show without calling to cancel. Flakiness is absolutely remembered and not rewarded. Too many folks think it does not matter if you don’t show up. It does, your slot was reserved for you and someone else could have been seen instead. That creates a great deal of bad blood between you and the casting office.
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