How To Nail Your Audition And Start Believing In Yourself With These 5 Simple Tips

It’s January. For theatre lovers out there, that means audition season is upon us.

That means it’s time to wake up at 5 AM every morning and get to the open call before everyone else does.

It’s time to wait in line after line, holding room after holding room, and endlessly playing “God, I Hope I Get It” from A Chorus Line in your head.

You know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s an endless waiting game only to have 5 minutes in the audition room.

You only have a few seconds to make a beautiful first impression. All the while hiding how exhausted and desperate you are. You squeeze the most pleasant smile you can out of you as you walk in the audition room door.

You’re an actor. You’ve perfected the fake smile. But inside, you’re hoping for that big break. Hoping for that one audition or that one casting director that will grant your wish - to quit your day job. Are you ready for it?

I’ve been at more auditions than I can count, all in different ways. I’ve been the auditioner, the runner, and on the other side of the audition table.

I’ve cast many productions, including the 2023 Broadway World Off-Broadway Awards nominated show, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress with City Gate Productions.

I’ve auditioned and toured with professional and community theatres alike in the tri-state area.

I’ve worked with A Class Act NY, spearheading summer camps with leading Broadway Actors.

I’ve had my fair share of experience in the professional theatre world, and one thing that hits me in the heart every time is how nervous auditioners get.

There are tons of emotions that coincide with auditioning for plays or musicals. Maybe you’re a seasoned auditioner or maybe you’re taking your first step to following your dreams. Maybe you’re auditioning for a community theatre, dusting off the ol’ acting chops.

No matter where you fall, auditioning doesn’t have to be a complicated thing. It doesn’t have to be an anxiety-filled to-do. Here are simple tips I’ve compiled for you to nail your next audition.

#1 - Let Go of Over-Think.

I’ve seen actors in their heads too many times. They get so wrapped up in choosing the perfect monologue, the perfect song, the perfect outfit. Don’t do this. Don’t overthink.

The casting directors on the other side of the table want see what you bring to the table. They want to see you, as an individual. They want to see what acting choices you make.

I’ll let you in on a little secret - they are on your side. They want you to do your best. They want you to be your best wholeheartedly. They want you to do a great job.

Auditions are just as nerve wracking for the creative team and the casting directors. Everyone involved wants the audition day to go well.

As long as you remember that, you’ll be on your way to being comfortable in the audition room and comfortable making acting choices. That’s what actors do after all - make choices.

You already have all the tools you need. And if you don’t get that part you were so hoping for, try again.

I’m also going to let you in on a little inside scoop. When casting directors cast a show from auditions, most of the time, it is not a question of your talent.

Casting parts doesn’t always come down to if you’re talented enough. Chances are, you are good enough.

This is what it comes down to: Do you fit the Director’s overall vision of the show?

Think of auditions as a big jigsaw puzzle. The right pieces have to fit together to make the finished picture.

You’re not always going to be the perfect fit. And that is okay.

#2 - Prepare.

A prepared mind is a clear mind.

Once you have decided on your audition materials, rehearse. Memorize. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen actors who have chosen their monologue 5 minutes before their audition slot.

Scrambling at the last minute creates anxiety for you. Plus, it shows that you are not willing to put in the extra work it takes outside of rehearsals to put on a show.

It also creates wasted time. At an NYC Audition call - or any call - you are on their time. You are on the casting director’s time, the runner’s time, the company’s time. No one likes their time wasted.

Memorize your audition piece in advance. Well in advance if you can. If an audition just popped up, live and breathe that audition piece during every spare moment you have.

Mark your audition piece up. Circle words to emphasize. Underline. Listen to recordings of your audition song. Do whatever you need to get that audition piece flowing like muscle memory.

Study it on your morning commute. The NYC subway system is great for studying. I am telling you, a little bit of effort will take you so much further than you think it will.

Your play or musical audition will go much smoother. The jitters will flutter away. You’ll be able to confidently crush your audition.

#3 - Follow Direction.

If your audition has certain requirements, follow them. It’s simple. The production team is noting these requirements for a reason.

If you have a musical audition and the requirement is to sing from the show, sing from the show. If you are instructed to read a certain side or portion of the script they went out of their way to provide for you, read that.

Don’t do a random monologue at your audition they didn’t ask for. Casting Directors want to see if you can follow direction - something actors need to be able to do.

This establishes if you are collaborative by nature and won’t be difficult to work with. No one likes a person who makes it difficult for everyone else.

Yes, you are an actor who makes choices. But you are also an actor who has to work with others under the direction of a Director.

The Director has a vision, and you are a part of that vision. It’s a give and take relationship.

What you choose affects every single person involved in the production - cast mates, creative team, crew, and producers alike.

#4 - Breathe.

There are few things in life more nerve wracking than baring your soul in front of other people. At the core, that is what an audition is.

You’re putting yourself out there. You’re the center of attention. You’re vulnerable. By yourself. Standing in front of people whose job it is to judge you. Breathe.

Remember, the casting directors are on your side. They want you to do well. Take a breath. Your job as an actor is to be vulnerable. You have to bare a character’s inner-workings.

You are going to be okay. After you audition, you get to leave. You get to go anywhere your heart desires. You get to go home.

You will go back to your safe space. It will be there for you with open arms ready to give you a big bear hug. You just have to get through the next few minutes to get there.

Calm those nerves by doing a counting breath exercise. This helps me immensely when I feel myself unraveling into an anxious abyss. It’s also my secret to get myself focused.

Breathe in for a count of 3. Hold for a count of 3. Exhale for a count of 3. Repeat. You can do this however many times you need. Then increase the count to 5. Then to 7 if you’re feeling it.

Another note on this tip: breathe throughout your audition piece. You are allowed to take breaths in between sentences. That is what punctuation is for.

Slow down. There are brilliant acting choice opportunities in the moments of silence.

#5 - Have fun!

This is the most important tip I am giving you. HAVE FUN. Why do you act or perform in the first place? Because it's fun!

So have fun at your Broadway audition. Have fun at your touring company audition. Have fun at your community theatre audition. Whatever you audition for, have fun while doing it.

Get this phrase into your brain: I get to play now! That’s what actors do. They play. Give it all you’ve got.

If you’re having trouble feeling the fun, pretend you’re in your bedroom letting it all go. Look past the casting directors on the other side of the audition table. Create a safe space in your head.

If you envision yourself performing in a comfortable space, you’ll leave that audition feeling like you just got off of your favorite ride at Disney World.

The rush of accomplishment quickly turns into a high on life and you’re ready to take on the next big thing.

Bonus Tip - Create Your World.

At auditions, especially musical auditions, it’s so easy to compare yourself to fellow auditioners. Too easy.

It’s so crazy to me that actors automatically think someone else is getting the part they want before they even go into the audition room.

You could think someone is more attractive than you - so they are getting the part. You could think someone is wearing a better outfit - so they are getting the part.

Us humans somehow trick ourselves into thinking we’re not good enough. The person you're comparing yourself to - they didn’t even audition yet. We tend to make assumptions based on our own insecurities and fears.

How do you know what the vision of the show is? How do you know that the other auditioner will be the perfect puzzle piece? You don’t.

So here’s the bonus tip: create your world and stay in it. Focus on you. This is your audition. You’re the one who determines the outcome of your audition.

Listen to music while you’re waiting in the audition holding room. Do breathing exercises. Go to the bathroom to warm up your voice.

No one cares that you’re doing your own thing because they are wrapped up in their own heads. They are probably feeling the same things you are.

Do whatever you need to do to get rid of those comparative thoughts that diminish your sense of self worth. You’re already brave for showing up to audition in the first place.

Now that you know how to nail your audition, go out there and do it! Follow that calling inside of you. Believe in yourself over and over again.

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