The Audition is an art form unto itself...
It involves all the tools you use to perform a monologue or song in a play, musical or film: Action, Emotional Condition, Objective, etc. But in an audition, I believe there are two absolute Musts, two acting tools you have to have explored and decided upon, to give yourself the opportunity to do your best:
1) Your Moment Before.
2) Your Personalization.
As important as these tools are to any scene or song, they are TWICE as essential in an audition. For in an audition you're walking in as You. No character to immediately inhabit. No lines to hide behind. As a matter of fact, it's YOU we want to see. Your demeanor. Your professionalism. Your ability to make eye contact. Your physical presence. Your movement. All this in a few moments. And THEN you begin your song or monologue or copy...
Breathing is essential. Focus, of course. But it's the specificity of WHY you're speaking or singing and WHO you're speaking/singing to, which will give you the structure and the freedom to do your Work.
I've auditioned too many talented actors who give themselves up in auditions. I don't mean they give up on themselves, but rather they surrender all the hard work they've done and years of experience they have, to the fear of being judged. They don't own their audition. The audition owns them. They'll rush into the monologue, song, scene or copy as if apologizing for taking up our time. Or before beginning, they take a moment to "relax" but with nothing specific going on for them inside - except perhaps that incessent interior voice asking, "How am I doing?" "How's it going?" "What're they thinking?"
These are actually excellent questions - for your character! "How am I doing?"/"What are they thinking?" can direct you back into the moment, if you bring "they" back to your Personalization: How is your Personalization reacting? Are you getting through? Do you imagine her smiling? Is he angry? Is he laughing now? Is she resistent? What attitude do you imagine them having that propels - compels - you to keep speaking?
This, in addition to acting for the camera, specifically "sizing" your performance and making your choices count, is just some of what you'll be working on in my class. Whether you want to concentrate on your on-camera technique for film, television and commercial auditions, monologues and cold readings for theatre auditions, or songs for Musical Theatre, I'll help you choose the right material, and explore your acting choices in the material to help you give yourself everything you need for a successful audition.
Whether you're just starting out, or you're an experienced professional looking to
explore new material or freshen your approach, I'll provide a creative and safe environment for you to do your work.
MICHAEL LEEDS
Theatre/Film/Television
Director Writer Teacher
OWN YOUR AUDITION
Own your audition!
