Audition Workshop

WHEN: At the beginning of every semester, before auditions for the departmental mainstage play or film

WHERE: Salisbury Theatre or KUAC TV Studio, UAF Fine Arts Complex

WHO: Anyone is welcome to register for this free, 0-credit workshop! FLPA majors with a Theatre concentration must register for/ complete four audition workshops (FLPA 190, 191, 290, 291) to graduate. FLPA F190 and F290 are offered every fall and FLPA F191 and F291 are offered every spring.

WHAT: Audition workshop topics rotate each semester to cover monologue auditions OR camera/ film auditions. Details about each type of workshop are below. Audition workshop is a fun, supportive atmosphere!

Have questions? Contact Professor Baker (ccbaker@alaska.edu)

 

Monologue Audition Workshops

 

  • Professor Baker will share some pointers about monologue auditions.
  • You will then perform your prepared, contemporary, 1-minute monologue.
  • Professor Baker will provide on-the-spot feedback, observable by all students.
  • You should bring an acting resume (template is available on this webpage).
  • If you have a headshot, staple your acting resume to the back of the headshot.

 

Resume Template
Student Hannah Greene reads for an audition for Strange Embrace. UAF Photo courtesy of Maya Salganek

Some pointers:

 

  • Make sure to rehearse your introduction. A typical introduction would be: “Hi my name is ________. My piece is (name of character) from (name of play) by (playwright).” Then take a moment to gather yourself and begin the piece.
  • There will be chairs available if you need one for your piece.
  • Wear comfortable clothes that are appropriate for your piece, but also honor the formality of an audition (don’t come in sweats!). Avoid black or patterned shirts and make sure your hair is not in your face.
  • Choose a point of focus for your monologue, so you are not just talking to the air…imagine the person to whom you are speaking out slightly above the auditors’ heads. Do not address your monologue to the auditors.
Monologue Tips

  • Monologues should be 60 seconds in performed length.
  • Choose a monologue from a play written 1980-present. The play can be any length, including 10-minute or one-act plays.
  • Avoid monologues from musicals or films.
  • Feature a character who is appropriate for your age.
  • Choose active material. The character should be speaking to another character in the play. Your character should want something in the moment and be using varying tactics to get that goal. Avoid story-telling monologues or memory-based pieces that tell the story of a past event.

A student reads for an audition. UF Photo courtesy of Maya Salganek

Camera/Film Audition Workshops

 

  • Professor Baker will share some pointers about film auditions.
  • You will then go through an on-camera audition. We will be using audition sides from rotating film scripts, provided upon registration. You will prepare one of the roles for your audition.
  • Professor Baker will provide on-the-spot feedback, observable by all students.
  • You should bring an acting resume (template is available on this webpage).
  • If you have a headshot, staple your acting resume to the back of the headshot.

 

Resume Template

 

Some pointers:

 

  • You will be asked to “slate” which is when the actor speaks into the camera and introduces themselves and their audition piece or role. Make sure to rehearse this slate. A typical slate would be (looking into the camera…the only time you ever look into the camera!): “Hi my name is ____________ and I a reading for the role of ___________.” Then take a moment to gather yourself and begin.
  • There will be a “mark” for you to stand on so that you are in frame for the camera.
  • Wear comfortable clothes that are appropriate for your piece, but also honor the formality of an audition (don’t come in sweats!). Avoid red, white, or patterned shirts and make sure your hair is not in your face.
  • Remember that you will be on-camera, so you should not use a lot of big physical movements. The camera will be on a mid-shot of you (waist up).
  • The “reader” (actor who is reading the scene with you) will be to the side of the camera. Do not move toward the reader…stay in frame!