AUDITION TECHNIQUE
Monday 9:00am to 11:50am
Merrick Room at the Springold Theatre Center
Instructor: M. Bevin O’Gara
Contact:
Office Hours: Mondays from noon to 1pm or by appointment
This class prepares students with real world audition skills audition etiquette, choosing material that will showcase you best, tackling sides, headshot and resume prep and self evaluation. The goal of this class is not to perfect one piece of audition material but rather equip students with the skills necessary to prepare themselves for any audition and to give students the practical skills to understand the business side of acting. This class will focus on utilizing discovery and strong choices to make you not only a better auditioner but also a better actor. Each class will consist of three parts: audition presentation either in the form of a monologue or sides, response and assessment of audition work and class discussion of the week’s reading materials. The first half of the semester will focus on monologue work and the second tackling sides.
Course Objectives:
- To demystify the audition process
- To develop skills the to best tackle various audition materials
- To practice self assessment
- To observe the choices other actors make and learn from their mistakes and triumphs
- To expand knowledge of what is expected of an actor in an audition setting
- To increase your ability to keep alive a sense of discovery
- To understand how to make a variety of strong choices in a scene or monologue in order to make an impression
- To develop an understanding of your type and how that can create a sense of focus
- To define the type of impression you want to make with directors and casting directors
Class Guidelines:
This is a class about experimentation as well as conducting yourself professionally in an audition setting. At times the focus will not be on getting something right but on exploring what is possible with a given piece of material, after all there isn’t always one answer to the questions “what are they looking for?” sometimes it’s about you showing them what they are looking for. Failure is part of auditioning, what is important during these classes is to learn from mistakes and use them to grow. Other times we will be created a real world audition environment, where students will be expected to dress and conduct themselves in a business like manner. I will always be clear about how each class will be conducted in advance as we move thru the semester.
Please have all visitors approved by the instructor.
No food or smoking unless it is part of the work. But stay hydrated, water is allowed.
We must clean up the space after each class.
Requirements:
- Students are expected to complete weekly readings, prep assigned audition material and to keep a journal of self-assessment on each audition.
- Students are required to attend and selfassess at least two auditions outside of class over the semester and discuss the experience in class. Failure to do so will result in lowering of your final grade ONE-HALF LETTER GRADE.
- Students are expected to participate in class discussions and come to class prepared with questions and observations.
- Students are required to read full scripts before presenting monologues or sides from a play.
- Dress Code: How do I dress for an audition? I know you have that question and we will talk about it as part of this class. For most days come in clothing that you can move comfortably in, something that won’t restrict choices. You will on occasion be asked to dress for a specific audition, but you will be instructed to do so prior to that class. No skirts, high heels or jeans unless discussed specifically prior to class.
- Attendance Policy: Students are only permitted one unexcused absences from class. Each additional absence will result in the lowering of your final grade ONE-HALF LETTER GRADE per absence. I will not ask questions regarding your absence, in the real world we don’t care why you didn’t make the audition, you just don’t get the part. Casting Directors and Directors remember when you blow off an audition; it leaves an impression and we might not call you in next time. If you are going to miss your ONE class please let me know as soon as you know you won’t be there.
- Late Policy: Lateness leaves an impression too. There isn’t always another slot for you, punctuality is expected at every audition. TWO LATE ARRIVALS will equal ONE ABSENCE and will lower your final grade one half-letter. If you are late, do not come in and apologize, come in and join the class
Course Plan:
Class #1 August 31, 2015
Read:Chapter 1 Practical Aspects of the Audition
Discuss: Selection of Initial Audition Monologue Contemporary
Work: What is an Audition Journal?
Class #2 September 10, 2015
Read: Chapter 2 The Twelve Guideposts #1 to #3
Discuss: Relationship. What are you fighting for? The Moment Before.
Work: Monologues Contemporary
Class #3 September 21, 2015
Read: Chapter 5 Monologues, Soliloquies, Style and Chapter 2 The Twelve Guideposts #4 to #6
Discuss: Humor. Opposites. Discoveries.
Work: Presentation of Monologues Contemporary
Class #4 September 29, 2015
Read: Chapter 2 The Twelve Guideposts #7 to 9
Discuss: Communication and Competition. Importance. Finding the Event
Work: Monologues Classical
Class #5 October 5, 2015
Read: Chapter 2 The Twelve Guideposts #10 to #12
Discuss: Place. Game Playing and Role Playing. Mystery and secrets.
Work: Presentation of Monologues Classical
Class #6 October 19, 2015
Read: Handouts, “Booking It” and “The worst thing you can do in an audition”
Work: Midterm Presentation of Classical and Contemporary Monologues
Discuss: Presentation of Monologues. Preparing for Sides.
Class #7 October 26, 2015
Read: Chapter 4 Some things an Actor Needs to Know
Prepare: Your selection for EPA sides
Discuss: What to do with an EPA Announcement?
Class #8 November 2, 2015
Read: RAPTURE BLISTER BURN by Gina Gionfriddo and AFTER ALL THE TERRIBLE THINGS... by Rey Pamatmat
Discuss: Head Shot and Resume Assessment. Sides - Contemporary Material.
Work: Sides from RAPTURE and TERRIBLE
Class #9 November 9, 2015
Read:Chapter 6, CHOICE by Winnie Holtzman, APPROPRIATE by Brandon Jacob Jenkins
Discuss: Pace. Sides – Contemporary Material; Part 2
Work: Sides from CHOICE and APPRORIATE
Class #10 November 16, 2015
Read: Chapter 7 Romance and Chapter 10 – Simplicity, OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder
Discuss: Simplicity. Sides Part 3 – Modern Material
Work: Sides from OUR TOWN
Class #11 November 23, 2015
Read: COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA by William Inge
Discuss: Seduction is NOT a choice, Confidence is.
Work: Sides from SHEBA
Class #12 November 30, 2015
Read: Chapter 9 Comedy, CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES by Jeffrey Hatcher and “M” by Ryan Landry
Discuss: Stylized Sides What to do? DUNCES and “M”
Work: Sides from DUNCES and M.
Class #13 December 7, 2015
Read: Chapter 11: Observations from a Life in the Theatre
Discuss: Your observations about your self and the class. Final Auditions.
Work: Second presentation of side we have already tackled with new discoveries and choices.
Grades and Evaluation:
Audition Journal Entries 15%
Class Participation 15%
Class Preparation of Monologues and Sides 30%
MidTerm Monologue Presentation 20%
Final Audition 20%
Final Audition will consist of: Presentation of one new monologue, previously not presented in class and presentation of one monologue prepared as part of class presentation of one new side selected by the student from a new EPA announcement.
What does Participation mean in this class?
- Asking Questions. Nothing is silly, don’t be afraid.
- Discussing in class where you felt you succeeded and where you failed in a given audition.
- Responding to reading assignments and attempting to apply the skills directly to each week’s work.
- Boldness, even when scared.
- Trying new things.
- Listening to instructor and classmates.
- Being actively engaged in the work of others.
- Volunteering to be a reader for other actor’s auditions.
How will I be evaluated on my Audition Presentations?
We will discuss this as the semester continues and each class will require a focus on a different skills, but below are some of the questions I will base your grades around:
- Did you make a strong choice? Did you have a sense of discovery?
- How professionally did you conduct yourself in the audition?
- Did you read the script so that you were able to answer questions?
- Were you able to take adjustments?
Course Materials:
Book Audition by Michael Shurtleff
Scripts
RAPTURE BLISTER BURN by Gina Gionfriddo
COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA by William Inge
OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder
APPROPRIATE by Branden Jacob Jenkins ( please note this script will become available October 13, 2015 please preorder in time for class)
There will be required reading of other scripts which are not yet in print and will be distributed electronically to students two weeks prior to their required class.
Important Dates:
Journey Evaluation October 5th and November 30th
In Class Midterm October 19th
Final Audition Week of December 14th
Academic Integrity:You are expected to be familiar with and to follow the University’s policies on academic integrity. Please consult Brandeis University’s Rights and responsibilities f or all policies and procedures. All policies related to academic integrity apply to inclass and take home projects, assignments and exams. Allegations of alleged academic dishonesty will be forwarded to the Director of Academic Integrity. Sanctions for academic dishonesty can include failing grades and/or suspension from the university.