Learn how to master the hardest part of any audition - the cold reading.
For many actors, the most dreaded part of an audition is the cold reading. You’ve already delivered a flawless monologue – or if you’re auditioning for a musical, you’ve sung your required 16 bars and wowed the directors. Then someone on the casting committee thrusts a script you’ve never seen before into your hand and says, “Here. Act.”
That’s when the blind panic sets in.
Cold readings are often the most difficult part of an audition. But by keeping a few simple things in mind, you can make the readings easier. Done right, they can even be – dare I say it – fun.
1. As soon as you get your script, take a few minutes to look over the scene you’ll be reading. Take note of your lines, but more importantly, get a feel for the entire scene. Who else is in the scene? What does your character want out of this scene? What is your character feeling? How should the character react to what the other person in the scene is saying or doing?
2. Try to commit your lines to memory, if possible. There’s nothing worse than seeing an auditionee with his head buried in the script. It doesn’t give the directors a chance to see what you can do. If you must look at the script, glance down briefly, but look up to deliver your lines.
3. When the other person in the scene is talking, resist the temptation to read ahead to your next line. Much of acting is reacting. Some people forget this at auditions because they’re so concerned with getting the lines right. Directors tend to be more concerned with seeing how two actors gel together than they are about you getting every single line perfect. Really listen to the other actor’s line, and react accordingly.
4. Take a few deep breaths to calm nerves before you begin your scene. When reading, be sure to speak slowly and enunciate clearly. Don’t rush through your lines. Be as interesting as possible – no one ever got a part by reading timidly. The casting committee doesn’t expect perfection; they expect personality. And don’t be afraid to fail. Even if you don’t get the part this time, you’ll have gained valuable experience that you can carry with you to the next audition.
5. If the director gives you a suggestion or asks to hear a line differently, don’t be offended. This is often a good thing! It means the directors saw something in you they liked, and they’d like to see a variation on it. Always give them what they ask for – it shows that you’re willing and able to take direction.
6. This should go without saying, but always be polite and courteous at an audition. Don’t talk while other actors are auditioning. Always thank the casting committee. In addition to acting ability, directors look for potential cast members that will be easy to work with and not cause a lot of unnecessary offstage drama or distractions. Never say or do anything at an audition that could lead the directors to see you in a negative light. Always be professional.
Cold readings may never be comfortable. But they’re a necessary part of any audition. By keeping these tips in mind, you should be able to give a better performance at your next audition.
