5 Things Not to Do in an Acting Audition

Auditions are without doubt one of the most stressful parts of being an actor, but also a very necessary part.

Medical research has shown that actors go through similar stress levels in auditions to that of being in a car crash!

With this in mind, you need all the help you can get in dealing with them.Audition technique, I believe, is an important part of an actor's training. Some drama schools see audition technique as a 'nice to have' ability, but at my acting school, we place this as a priority during your acting training.

The actor requires acting courses on audition technique to allow them to test things out in a safe environment, and allows them to see how they come across in auditions.

So here are 5 things not to do during an audition.:

• Never apologise - when an actor fluffs a line or feels they haven't read the part well, they often will say sorry over and over. Make a rule with yourself never to say sorry in an audition, unless of course you have spilt coffee over the Casting Director or something!
• Wear clothes appropriate for the part - If you're auditioning for the role of a Bank Manager, then don't go in in jeans and a t-shirt. Wear a suit and tie. Do this as much as possible for your roles. Wear something that hints at the character and helps them see you as the character.
• Know the lines - nine times out of ten you will receive a script for a TV or film role in advance. Learn the lines to your scene in advance. Not learning them puts you at a disadvantage and shows a lack of interest, which will be noted.
• Never say No - when you're asked questions about you or the character, never reply with a no. A 'no' is a dead end, and the end of the conversation. Find a way to reply positively to questions.
• Don't upset them - a crucial part of winning an audition is building rapport with the panel. Don't upset them or challenge them. Build rapport by watching their body language and listening to their voice intonations. Oh, and smiling is good in auditions. Everyone loves a smile, because it means that you are non-threatening and friendly. Unconsciously, this will break down barriers with the panel.

It's a good idea to practise your technique in acting classes and acting courses, and find a good acting school that will help you with your audition ability.