1. AUDITIONING

2. FINDING AN AUDITION -Backstage.com -http://www.ttcla.org/ -Websites for smaller, local theatre companies -Colleges/universities -Google!!

3. BACKSTAGE.COM

4. THE THEATER COOPERATIVE OF LA

5. BEFORE AN AUDITION -Prepare your resume and headshot -Prepare a monologue for performance -Consider having 2 monologues ready -You may be asked to read from the script -Have a song prepared to sing -Bring sheet music and a CD with your music recorded

6. BEFORE AN AUDITION -24 hours before the audition -Go to bed early and get a good night’s sleep -When you wake up, do a light physical activity -Eat a good breakfast -Bring water and a snack with you to the audition -Bring a pencil!! -Double-check the time and location of the interview, and leave early

7. ATTIRE AND APPEARANCE -- LADIES -Skirt/blouse, slacks/blouse, dress -No denim -No shorts -No miniskirts -Make sure your clothes are clean and in good repair -If you get a call-back, wear the same outfit so that it is easier for the auditors to remember you

8. ATTIRE AND APPEARANCE -- LADIES -Comfortable dress-y shoes -No sandals, clogs -No sneakers, boots -Character or jazz shoes are fine -Minimal jewelry -Cover tattoos -No props, no costumes

9. ATTIRE AND APPEARANCE -- LADIES -Makeup -Light face makeup (foundation, powder) -Light eye makeup -No false eyelashes -Light blush -No bright lipstick -No theatrical makeup

10. ATTIRE AND APPEARANCE -- MEN -Dress pants/khakis with dress shirt -Tie is okay if you are comfortable -Sweater or jacket is okay -No denim, no shorts -All clothing should be clean and in good repair -Dress shoes -No sandals, no sneakers -Cover tattoos

11. AT THE AUDITION SITE -Assume that EVERYTHING you do is being watched and evaluated -Arrive early to warm-up and prepare -Take business cards if available, and try to remember names -Keep quiet, keep to yourself, and keep focused

12. DURING AN AUDITION -Walk in with confidence, energy, and a friendly attitude -Make eye contact, smile, and state your name clearly -Ensure that the auditors can see (lighting) -Listen carefully to all instructions, and ask for clarification if necessary

13. DURING AN AUDITION -Be prepared to answer questions about your resume -Be prepared to explain why you are auditioning -Communicate with the accompanist -Stick with what you rehearsed -Don’t apologize, and no excuses!

14. DURING AN AUDITION -BE CONFIDENT – YOU’VE GOT THIS!!! -Focus just over the heads of the auditors while performing -After you are finished, thank the accompanist and the auditors -Remember, you are being watched until you have totally left the building!

15. AFTER THE AUDITION -Don’t discuss what happened in the audition with others -Consider writing a thank-you note or email to the auditors -If you get a call-back, wear the same outfit you wore to the audition

16. CALL-BACKS -Bring another copy of your resume and headshots just in case -You may be asked to read parts of the script or to engage in creative exercises – be ready for anything! -You may have a brief interview with the director -Same audition etiquette applies

17. IF YOU DON’T GET A CALLBACK… -You can assume you did not get the part  -You may never know why! -Casting is subjective – if you behaved professionally and did your best, they were just looking for a different type of person

18. WHAT CAN I DO NOW? -Participate! -Learn more monologues and songs -Voice lessons, instrument lessons -Tech theatre!! -Keep your resume updated – never go to audition with an out-of-date resume! -Exercise your body!

19. WHAT CAN I DO NOW? -Be creative! Keep up your journal, creative writing, draw, paint, photograph, learn to view the world through an artistic lens -Online research! Don’t de-value the art of the Google search! -Read, read, read!

20. WARM-UPS!