{"id":2928,"date":"2017-04-07T19:23:43","date_gmt":"2017-04-07T19:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=2928"},"modified":"2017-09-25T14:32:43","modified_gmt":"2017-09-25T14:32:43","slug":"10-ways-to-keep-calm-cool-and-collected-in-the-audition-room","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/10-ways-to-keep-calm-cool-and-collected-in-the-audition-room\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Keep Calm, Cool, and Collected in the Audition Room"},"content":{"rendered":"

10 Ways to Keep Calm, Cool, and Collected in the Audition Room<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by\u00a0Meghan Mitchell<\/p>\n

April 7, 2017<\/p>\n<\/font>

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Are you having trouble staying at ease in the audition room?\u00a0 Are your nerves always getting the best of you?\u00a0 There are many ways to prepare for the rigors of auditioning, and many tricks to keeping your cool through all the stress and anxiety of auditions.\u00a0 The pressure is on\u2026 you never know, it might just be this <\/em>audition that lands you your Dream Job! \u00a0<\/em>But sometimes acquiring that dream requires a lengthy and arduous audition process.\u00a0 Here are some helpful tips and tricks to keep calm and carry on when auditioning.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Prepare, prepare, prepare.<\/h4>\n
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There is a famous quote from Julie Andrews, \u201cAmateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can\u2019t get it wrong.\u201d No one likes to freeze in an audition room, or go up on your monologue.\u00a0 Michael Jordan used to practice his free throws until he couldn\u2019t possibly miss\u2014what makes acting or singing any different?\u00a0 Practice truly does make perfect.\u00a0 When you are confident with your lines and words, your acting beats and singing notes, there is nothing that will happen in the room that will shake you.<\/p>\n

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2. Take a breath.<\/h4>\n
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Don\u2019t forget to breathe!\u00a0 Seems simple, right?\u00a0 When you are in the audition room, or better yet, when you are about to walk into the room, take a moment for yourself to just\u2026 breathe.\u00a0 Don\u2019t jump into your song if you aren\u2019t mentally prepared to do so.\u00a0 Don\u2019t begin your monologue if you haven\u2019t seen<\/em> your “other” (your invisible partner), and taken a moment to acknowledge your “moment before”.\u00a0 No one will fault you for taking a second to breathe, prepare, and be ready to truly present your best self.<\/p>\n

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3. Focus your attention.<\/h4>\n
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There is an awful lot of noise in an audition holding room and it may seem impossible to get away from it all.\u00a0 All of that nervous energy may potentially eek into your performance in the audition room.\u00a0 Yes, it is good to see your friends and chat to make the time pass, but the room can be overwhelming.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let others get into your head\u2014bring a book, bring headphones, better yet, leave the room after you\u2019ve checked in!\u00a0 Take a minute to go to your car, run through your audition; find some time away from the hundreds of people in the room to center yourself.\u00a0 When the energy is too much, know that you have the power to separate yourself from the craziness and find your center again.<\/p>\n

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4.\u00a0Communicate\u2026<\/h4>\n
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\u2026to your pianist, to the auditor, to anyone who will help you succeed in the audition room.\u00a0 Make sure your music is clearly marked with a start and an end.\u00a0 Are you starting with a bell tone?\u00a0 Are you using a few measures before you start singing?\u00a0 There are different schools of thought on giving your pianist your tempo\u2014I always like to softly hum the first line of the song to them to get a feel for the tempo.\u00a0 Did you ask the auditor if you should slate your pieces?\u00a0 Introduce yourself?\u00a0 Once you know what to expect and what is expected of you, you are ready to make your first impression a confident one!<\/p>\n

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5. How are you walking into the room?<\/h4>\n
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Everyone does it, but does everyone think about it?\u00a0 The moment you come in the door, the casting team will see you for the first time.\u00a0 They are getting a feel for you as a person\u2014is this someone they want to work with?\u00a0 Are you friendly, loud, quiet, or scared?\u00a0 How you present yourself begins the moment you enter the room.\u00a0 Practice this yourself, or with friends; find out how to be comfortable in being yourself<\/em> when you make that first impression. Leave the nerves at the door!<\/p>\n

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6. Focus on your first line.<\/h4>\n
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If it is a song or monologue, your first moment or your first line, you should bring the casting team into this world you\u2019ve created for your piece.\u00a0 You want to start your piece with a bang!\u00a0 Start on a hot note; make them listen\u2014after you have their attention, you then have the freedom to concentrate on you because you\u2019re not grasping for their focus. \u00a0You should leave the room with everyone\u2019s attention in the palm of your hand\u2014reel them in, draw them to you right from the start.\u00a0 If you set your monologue\/song up for success from the start, it will pave the way for the rest of your time in the room.<\/p>\n

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7. Don\u2019t speculate.<\/h4>\n
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Is someone before you singing two songs when they only asked for one?\u00a0 Are some people coming out with sides to read? When you\u2019re in the room, are the casting directors looking at their phones or staring at your resume? \u00a0Whatever is happening inside or outside of the audition room, there is no point in speculating what is happening with anyone else.\u00a0 Keep your concentration\u2014remember to focus on you<\/em>. The best thing to do after an audition is to forget about it.\u00a0 Know you did your best and keep your speculations out of the picture when you\u2019re both in, and out, of the room.<\/p>\n

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8. Be ready and open for anything.<\/h4>\n
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In the audition room, anything can happen. \u00a0Have you been asked to do your monologue in a Southern dialect?\u00a0 Sing another 16 bar cut?\u00a0 You may find yourself telling a joke or harmonizing to Happy Birthday — always be open to anything, but also, don\u2019t be afraid to ask for a second to prepare. \u00a0Don\u2019t hesitate to ask the panel for a second to think through your monologue in a different voice, or take a look at a cut of your song you may be not entirely comfortable with.\u00a0 Don\u2019t feel pressure to perform on the spot. You can take a moment to, once again, just breathe.<\/p>\n

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9. Know your special skills.<\/h4>\n
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Has it been awhile since you\u2019ve sight read?\u00a0 How about an accent you had once in college, but are unsure of now?\u00a0 Everything on your special skills should be something you can do at the drop of a hat.\u00a0 Card tricks?\u00a0 Always have a deck on you.\u00a0 Cello skills?\u00a0 Is your instrument close by, or do you have a\u00a0video that you can give to the casting team?\u00a0 Make sure you know your special skills and can deliver at a moment\u2019s notice with confidence!<\/p>\n

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10. Enjoy yourself.<\/h4>\n
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Some say that auditioning is the job, and working on a show is simply a bonus.\u00a0 You will audition millions of times in your life, and sometimes it can take years to land that job you\u2019ve always wanted.\u00a0 As a performer, you must take comfort in knowing that you have put your best foot forward.\u00a0 There will be good auditions, there will be bad ones, but it\u2019s how you carry yourself in stride that determines your character as a performer and a professional.<\/p>\n

Every time you audition, you\u2019re getting to perform! \u00a0Treat every audition as a performance.\u00a0 Enjoy those moments!\u00a0 It is the passion of theatre that drives us to audition and put our emotions on the line in the first place.\u00a0 Take a breath, take your moment, and love every minute of it.<\/p>\n
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Need some advice? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/h3>\n