Audition For Acting

An audition for acting can be tricky.

In theater an actor may prepare a monologue for a part he will perform at every audition. He'll perfect his art and delivery. When auditioning, he'll be very comfortable with his prepared lines.

However, in a film or commercial audition the actor is expected to perform a script given to him that he has never seen before.

This is when the art of cold reading is very important and can be a life saver. The technical definition of cold reading is auditioning for a part with a script in hand, one the actor has never seen. The profession says that the actor is supposed to be given the script at least 24 hours before the audition but all too often this just doesn't happen. This is why cold reading is so important to actors who work in film or commercials.

So, how do you learn to audition for acting with a cold read? Brute force. Pick up a script, read the first line, commit it to memory and then say the line without looking at the script. You've just done your first cold reading. At first you may only be able to memorize a few words at a time, but with a little practice you'll soon be memorizing several lines at a time. The more you work at it the better you'll get.

Once you feel comfortable doing cold reading by yourself try it with another actor. This is when it gets fun.

Be careful, though. When you're at your audition it's can be tempting to try to sneak a peak at your next line while the other actor is doing his lines. Resist doing this. How well you listen to your fellow actor is just as important as speaking your lines. Wait until it's time for you to respond and then look at your next line. Memorize as much of your line as you can in a few seconds. Then make eye contact with your partner and say your line.

If you've got more to memorize than possible with a quick glance, repeat the process until you have the line memorized. But keep your face out of your script. Never read your lines while looking at your script. This is a sure way to blow the audition. Make sure you stay in character while reading your lines.

If you have the time, try to read the script in its entirety and remember as much of it as you can. This way you'll at least have some idea what the scene is about, who the characters are and how the conversation should go. If you have more time try to memorize the first and last lines. This will give you a strong start and finish, which is what the person auditioning you will remember the most.

When holding your script, hold with your left hand if right handed and at chest level. Never have your head buried in the script. Don't wave the script around like it is a prop. Make believe it is just a natural extension of your body. The less attention you draw to the script itself the better.

A cold reading goes much slower and feels a lot more awkward than a normal reading. This is normal and there is no need to worry about it. The casting director knows this is the first time you've seen the script. He is more interested in what kind of personality you have as the character.

An audition for acting can come in many different forms, but if you learn to nail the cold readings, you'll be way ahead of most of your competition.