{"id":5016,"date":"2017-11-16T18:15:11","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T18:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=5016"},"modified":"2017-11-21T15:34:33","modified_gmt":"2017-11-21T15:34:33","slug":"getting-in-it-quick-steps-to-curing-audition-worries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/getting-in-it-quick-steps-to-curing-audition-worries\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting \u201cIn It\u201d: Quick Steps to Curing Audition Worries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Getting \u201cIn It\u201d: Quick Steps to Curing Audition Worries<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by\u00a0Joe Deer<\/p>\n

November 16, 2017<\/p>\n<\/font>

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Probably the most common complaint I hear when coaching students and professionals on auditions is, \u201cI just wasn\u2019t in it.\u201d So, let\u2019s look at some simple and effective ways to engage your focus and personalization.<\/p>\n

Being \u2018in it\u2019 means focusing on what you want, not on what you\u2019re afraid the folks behind the table are thinking. And that requires some mental discipline and focusing on useful distractions. Here are four ways to shift your focus:<\/p>\n

The Moment Before<\/h4>\n
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Veteran actors know that creating a powerful moment before the start of your song or monologue can launch you into a truly engaging audition. For instance, \u201cShe just kissed me for the first time.\u201d, \u201cHe just admitted he\u2019s my father.\u201d, \u201cShe said, \u2018I never loved you.\u2019\u201d, \u201cI found a love note from my best friend to my boyfriend.\u201d These are triggers that will send you spiraling emotionally and allow you to focus on making sense of this chaotic plot twist. Take the time to fantasize who you\u2019re talking about, where you are, and what the movie in your mind for the actual event shows you. That\u2019s homework \u2013 so you\u2019ll have it at your disposal when you need it.<\/p>\n

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Discovery, Invention, and Reaction<\/h4>\n
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All audience members love seeing you deal with the problem, not hearing you tell about how you solved it. And we solve problems one new thought or reaction at a time. Allow yourself to discover each new line or musical phrase at a time. React to what the partner just did, or to what you just discovered in the line before. The simple act of inventing a plan in the moment of the song or monologue is so freeing for you as an actor and exciting for your audience (auditioners).<\/p>\n

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Big Problems Help<\/h4>\n
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Make the \u201cproblem\u201d of dealing with that first kiss, or discovery of the love note HUGE! The bigger the obstacle , the more you\u2019ll work inventively to overcome it.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m a person who\u2026\u201d<\/h4>\n
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Many characters (both highly realistic and broadly comic) are defined by just one or two dominant characteristics. Try your song as a person who: \u201cmust rescue my friends\u201d (Melchior, SPRING AWAKENING), \u201cthinks he\u2019s God\u2019s gift to womankind\u201d (Gaston, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), \u201cdoubts my own appeal\u201d (Adam, THE SHAPE OF THINGS). Be sure to make it a real obsession, not just a comic mask. If the role is comic, you\u2019ll get more laughs with a real obsession.<\/p>\n

All of this requires that you do some homework and run the audition material with one or more of these triggers fully prepared. When you\u2019re comfortable with the piece using these techniques, you\u2019ll be able to focus where you want!<\/p>\n
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Need some advice? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/h3>\n