| AUDITION INFORMATION FAQ Sheet Q. Who can audition? A. Any Robinson high school student can audition. Q. How do I audition? A. Sign up for an audition time on the list on the Call Board outside the Drama area. Q. Can I prepare anything? A. YES. You are encouraged to prepare a 2-minute monologue (speech/action) from any modern play. Prefer material that is from the same type of play as that being cast, but this is not mandatory. Show off YOU, not some weird character you can be. Q. What happens if I don't have a monologue or scene? A. You will be asked to do an improvisation with a partner, or to read from the script with a stage manager. Arriving prepared does make a stronger statement about how hard a worker you'll be on this show. Q. Do you have to be in Drama class or it I.T.S. or the Drama Club? A. NO! Many good roles every year go to people not taking the drama classes or yet in ITS (and you get into the Drama Club by being in the show). Q. Does it help to be a Senior? A. No. It depends entirely on what roles the script calls for, and who seems best suited to play them. Q. What happens when I come to the audition? A. You will be asked to fill out an audition card (and a rolodex card). Give it to the stage manager (the one taking all the cards…). Get a CONTRACT PACKET. When it's time for you, you will be called. Go to the stage, introduce yourself clearly, and do your prepared piece or ask for instructions. Q. What do you look for at the audition? A. A general impression of YOU, particularly how your voice carries, how comfortable you look on stage, and a rage of movement and emotion. I want to see what you look like, what you sound like, and how well you come across to the audience. Q. What are you REALLY looking for? A. Who seems to fit the roles available. Who seems to fit well with the people who seem to fit the roles available (e.g.: talented girl may be a poor match with talented guy if she's five inches taller than he is). Q. What should I remember? A. ENJOY YOURSELF! Show me you like performing on the stage! Use it: move with clarity and confidence, with purpose. Extend it: Speak up! Every word must be clear to the very last row. This means to speak up, and to SLOW DOWN! Keep your character alive on it. STAY in character no matter WHAT happens. Forgetting a line is no tragedy; stay calm and pick it up somewhere, but don't drop out of character. Q. I get stage fright. What can I do? A. Everyone gets stage fright…even the people who look like they don't, and the people who say that they don't. Try to turn that nervous energy into intensity, a more motivated, driven kind of energy that MAKES the character do whatever s/he needs to do. Q. What happens after the audition? A. You may be permitted to watch the other auditions (depending on the show), as long as you are supportive, and not a distraction. Q. What's the next step? A. Call-Backs. These can go VERY late (7:30?? Later???), so bring homework, food and patience! NB: Your signed (by a parent) Contract (from the Home page) is your admission ticket to callbacks!!! We also need yr ECC Q. What are Call Backs? A. A second audition to help the Director(s) decide which actors fit which particular roles. Usually you will be reading from the show script during callbacks. Q. If you're not called back, does that mean you blew it? A. It only means that a second look was not required. Some people get cast without need for a callback. Q. What if I can't come to the call-backs? A. Contact the director IMMEDIATELY (once the callback list is up). This almost always means that you will not be cast. If you must leave early, tell the stage manager. We may be able to work around this. Your best bet is to plan for a ride home whenever we're finished. Other potential cast members are usually very good about helping. Q. How will I know if I got a part? A. There will be a list posted on the call board the next day. SIGN next to your name. Come to the first Company Meeting! Get the handout! Check the Callboard and website! (www.RobinsonDrama.org) Q. If I didn't get a part, can I still help with the show? A. YES!!! Sign up for any of the stage crews on the list posted on the call board. We need help!! Q. How can I leave a message for the stage manager/director/crew chiefs? A. Leave a note with your name/phone number/email in the mailbox in the Drama Room. Or leave a message on the Drama Room answering machine (703-426-2123). Or email Mr. Rome at Douglas.Rome@fcps.edu . Q. What about DANCE auditions? A. Everyone will be taught a combination to dance back right afterward. Dress to move!! It's more important to be dedicated than experienced. Specialty dancers will be selected as needed. Q. What about MUSIC auditions? A. All are requested to do the acting and singing and dance auditions. You can sing "Happy Birthday," a song you prepare (bring your own pianist if you want one), or one made available by Mr Horanski. If you bring a tape/CD, it should be without lyrics (so we hear YOUR voice). |