Three Important Lessons for Auditioning Actors

Auditions are a necessary and often dreaded part of the acting business. No matter your age or how many years you have been in the industry, you will still have to audition and face many expectant casting directors. For younger and less experienced actors, auditions can be overwhelming and nerve-wracking no matter how many times you’ve experienced them. 

There is no guaranteed way to make sure you ace all of your auditions and land every role you seek, but there are ways to make your audition time less stressful if you consider what you learn each time. Because auditions are a constant in an acting career, you can always take new skills and lessons with you from each experience to the next. 

Here are a few valuable lessons that auditions can teach you that will help you in the future:

Worrying about the outcome will waste your energy, and it doesn’t help you in any way

Of course, it’s difficult to walk into a room full of professionals who are judging your performance and not get anxious. But you must consider what effect giving in to your worries will have on your mental state. Surrendering to your anxiety can impact your memory and attitude in the audition room, which is something no actor wants. Just breathe, be present, and stay focused on what you can control: You.

Doing your research can help you make a personal connection and stand out

There will often be many actors besides you auditioning for a role. They all want to stand out and get hired. Many actors are skilled and suitable for the job, but only one will be selected. If you all share the right skills, a great way to rise above the rest is to do your homework on the casting directors, and set yourself up to make a more meaningful human connection. You can try breaking the ice with a short comment about the CD’s previous work, or by using humor to ease the tension. Make sure you know who you’re talking to and act appropriately.

Don’t apologize; come prepared and confident in your work and you will succeed. 

Bringing a positive energy with you into the audition room can make all the difference. Doing your homework and knowing what is expected of you ahead of time will not only help to ease nerves and minimize distractions, but it will give you a more relaxed and compelling energy. Apologizing to a casting director for forgetting your lines or coming unprepared will instantly make you seem unprofessional and not a good fit for the role. It shows disrespect for their time, which is detrimental to your chances at being hired. Always be prepared and respectful.

There are many things you can learn from auditions. It all boils down to confidence, preparedness, and energy. If you master these aspects of the audition process, you will be better prepared to stand out and perform at your highest level.