[essgemmell]

I've just found a great advice page for auditions at www.auditionstheultimateguide.com it's at top ten tips and it's written by a british casting director. Really helpful and worth looking at. Sal x

[Andufus]

Incase anyone doesn't trust this link, it's genuine.
(I come from other forums and some links are speculated at)

Just to be helpful to people (No offence Sal) I'll copy and paste the top ten tips aswell.

1. Get as much information as possible before the day to ensure you're fully prepared.

2. Thoroughly prepare whatever is required, learning speeches, script and songs to performance standard. Always have more to offer in case the panel asks to see something different.

3. Research as much as you can about the project for which you are auditioning, the role(s) for which you are being considered, the company or school and people you will be meeting. Knowledge is power!

4. Take pride in your appearance. perhaps dressing in clothes that give the creative team an idea of your suitability for the role for which you are auditioning. Don't overdo this though, and don't be afraid to ask for hints or advice if you are unsure about anything.

5. Know where you're going. Take a map with you and visit the venue before the audition day, if you can, to be sure of the route and journey timings. Avoid driving to city centre auditions - using public transport is often quicker and less stressful.

6. Allow enough time for possible delays to your journey and over running of the actual audition. If you are running late, call the venue to let them know, apologising and giving an estimated time for your arrival.

7. Arrive a few minutes before your appointment time (5 - 10 is fine, unless earlier is requested), in case you are given script pages (sides) to look over, or the auditions are running early. If you are dyslexic and need extra time with the script, make this known and ask if you can arrive earlier, or be sent the pages in advance.

8. Be as confident as you can be when entering the room, channelling your nervous energy. Take a deep breath, smile and walk purposefully into the room. Shaking hands and the use of eye contact will create a positive impression, as will remembering the names of the panel, if you are introduced. Introduce yourself too... saying your name clearly, so it can be more easily remembered.

9. NEVER MAKE EXCUSES... no matter how little preparation time you have had or how badly things have gone (or you feel they have). Do your best and learn from your mistakes.

10. Be yourself, prepared for ANYTHING and, above all, ENJOY your audition.

Andrew

[Orchestrator]

What part of the above doesn't state the bleedin' obvious? Take a map....don't be late...jesus wept...

Agreed, but you'd be surprised how hopeless some people are. I've had "I'm sorry, I left my sheet music on the train" THREE times. Also, "I haven't brought a song as I only heard about this yesterday". "I'm in the middle of moving house and all my music's in the removal van" - given that singing at auditions is how you intend to make a living for the next few years why don't you treat your audition song folder with the same care as your mobile phone?

[Orchestrator]

So let the hopeless learn from their own hopelessness. Don't pander to them FFS! Darwin and all that...

The surprising thing is I've seen really incompetent (speaking from a purely practical point of view) people become quite special performers. Where that leaves survival of the fittest isn't my place to speculate, but maybe it has something to those meta-Darwinian concepts such as altruism, love and help.