The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) Fall Play Auditions The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)

Auditions Auditions will be September 8th & 9th in the auditorium from 3:00 to 6:00. You must choose one day and be able to stay the whole time.

Sign-Up The sign-up sheets will be posted outside my door (Room 119) until September 4th. You must sign up before the days of the auditions. You must audition on the day that you have chosen unless you change it by the 4th.

Audition Requirements You will need a 1-minute monologue. Your monologue MUST be memorized. You will need to properly read a short Shakespearean speech (It does not have to be memorized unless you just want to.) You must have a completed audition sheet.

Auditioning Tips 1. Memorization is Key. If you are asked to deliver a monologue or sing a song from memory, you better make sure you know both inside and out. No cheat sheets or crib notes. If you forget a line, don't panic. Just keep going and think on your feet. You need to show the director that you can perform under pressure and keep your cool. 2. Don't Just Stand There. I can't tell you the number of times I've sat through an audition where the person simply stood in one spot with her hands behind her back. You have to "act." Use the stage. Use your body. An actor controls both his voice and his body so make sure you are not just standing there with your hands behind your back, or worse, in your pockets.

Auditioning Tips 3. Look out at the Audience. Looking off stage right or stage left as you roll into your monologue, as if you are delivering the monologue to an invisible person next to you, defeats the purpose of the audition which is for the director to see you...the invisible person doesn’t care. So don't use your profile in the audition - deliver it full on to the audience. 4. Project. This is theater people, push and project your voice into the theater. Fill the auditorium. It's going to be hard to place you in a show if I can't hear you. And no...this does not imply that you need to yell during the audition. Project from your diaphragm and use a normal speaking style based on the monologue you're presenting, but make sure the person sitting in the last row can year you.

Auditioning Tips 5. Personality. You only have one shot at making a positive first impression during the casting process, so the thing that you have to remember is this...show a little personality during the audition. Be yourself. If the director asks you how your day is going, don't just say, "fine" and then stand. That's your opportunity to show off a little bit. Give the director a taste of the real you. 6. Smile. It's okay. I'm not going to bite. Have a little fun with the audition and smile...it'll definitely help with the nerves.

Auditioning Tips 7. Breath. When you feel like your nerves are going to get the best of you, just take a big deep breath, let it out slow and smile at the end. Seriously. 8. Don't Take It Personally. You have to walk into that audition with the attitude that you've already been cast, and be prepared to not take it personally if you don't make the cut. If you can do those two things, all of the pressure on having to perform in the audition will start to dissolve and you can focus on the experience itself without wondering about the afters and what-ifs. Stay in the moment and don't take the process personally.

Cast List The cast list will be posted outside this room on Thursday, September 10th. You must accept your part by September 11th, or your part will be recast.