Theatre Involvement Advice - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

swedeace · 10-08-2006, 10:12 PM

I am looking for advie to those of you who have done some theatrical work.

I have never done any previous theatrical work, but I decided since earlier this year that I would like to try it out. One of my co-workers is a thespian in our college, so I asked him if he had any info. He told me about an audition this past Saturday. I told him I would probably be competing against others with more experience, and he encouraged me to just try out. I went ahead and tried out.

I was feeling nervous as I was heading over to the auditions because I wasn't sure how they would be like. When I got there, I saw a group of about 3-4 people upfront on stage practicing some lines from a script. I sat and watched them.

When they finished, my thespian co-worker came up to me and welcomed me. Then he explained they were reading a couple of Woody Allen scripts. He handed me one and told me to read the part of Jenny as a start. Jenny entered towards the end of a scene, and I felt I was a bit nervous because I felt rusty. I was reading cold from a script.

The second time I read together with this girl. We did this one-act dialogue, and I didn't feel as nervous as I did from the first script.

Finally, they wanted us to read a pre-written monologue to see how we would read. One girl went before me, and I would be next. They explained that this character is supposed to be a little wacky and sort of "out there." You know...weird. It was also a male character. I took my heart and put a personality on this wacky male character. As I read, I felt myself sorta become that character. I contribute this to all the comedic sitcoms I have loved to watch over the years. I saw people were laughing at the wackiest sentences, and I even made some facial expressions and non-verbal cues to add something humorous. This was soooo much fun!!! They clapped at the end! I felt happy. Then, my co-worker told me I read beautifully.

The thespians just wanted us to read some dialogue and some monologue so they get a feel of how we read and how we portray the characters. So, I don't know how long they will decide, but I am sure they will decide soon as it'll be about 5-6 weeks before the actual opening of this play to the public. Ack!

My question - what is your advice if I do get cast a part? Or, just in overall tryouts? Whether I get a part this time, it's not going to be the last time I try out. It's fun! It's helped me overcome some shyness. I felt alive, in one way. Anyway...anyone?

Central Perk · 10-08-2006, 10:58 PM

I think it's really amazing what you're doing and I think you're approaching it the right way. You're having fun and enjoying the experience and I'm sure you'll do great if you get the part.

dawsongirl · 10-08-2006, 11:07 PM

I've been through many auditions in high school. Just don't be nervous and don't let other people intimidate you. It may be a bit different if there are different people at every tryout you go to, versus when I was in school, there was a group of us that always tried out. Just look over the characters you may be interested in playing and the script as a whole to get a feeling for the setting at the personalites, and then just go up on stage and act like you think the characters would. Make it natural. If you try too hard, people notice. And the biggest part of acting is making the characters forget you're Mona and think you're whatever character. Kind of forget you're acting.

And if you do get a part, just study your script any chance you get and have fun! Some people get too serious about it, like they're on Broadway or getting paid. Well, some of those people don't even take it so seriously. And don't let a crabby director get to you. Our director in HS used to get so mad that he'd yell and rant and throw things around. Don't let that stuff scare you.

dawsongirl · 10-09-2006, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Jen_

Picture a teacher standing in front of an entire class doing an impression of a visiually impaired student reading. It's really embarrassing, esp. if the person is laughing while doing it. That's what my teacher did.

And that person was given a teaching license? No wonder kids are angry.

Number 9 Dream · 10-10-2006, 07:40 PM

Good for you, Mona! Theatre work can be very fun and also very rewarding. I've done some theatre work myself (I was in the play Godspell twice), and although it could be difficult at times, I ended up having a very good time and discovering I was a good actress (this was my first experience ever, so it was very scary! Not only did I have to act, but I had my own solo, as well as singing with other actors for their pieces).

I am not sure how theatre work goes in schools since I did it with a play group outside of school, but the best advice I can give you is to just do the best job you can with the character ('becoming' the character is very important! Live and breathe that character!) and don't listen to any negative remarks. Have fun!

I really miss theatre, actually.

tdf4077 · 10-10-2006, 08:43 PM

I'm a stage manager for a LOT of shows, so as one who normally casts, this is what I say:

Be prepared.
Be polite.

Take a few deep breaths before going on the stage...make eye contact with the judges/directors/etc. Introduce yourself. Stand center stage.

Go full-out...don't hold anything back! It's your only chance...and even though you may feel cheesy or whatever, it'll pay off and you'll stand out in a good way.

If you get cast, no matter what the role, make it your's (even if you're just an ensemble person with one line...make it the best line of the entire play).

Take every opportunity as a learning experience.

Apply the same notions of confidence and poise to your every day life.

swedeace · 10-12-2006, 10:40 PM

Thank you again for the advice, everyone.

I surely hope to hear some news soon. Yep, I'm growing superly anxious. I have even considered asking my co-worker who works in the theatre department at our college, but I didn't want to appear too eager. I mean, surely I do want to know, but I didn't want to sound pushy. Man.... Well, I suppose I can ask him, "Do you have an idea when they'll be deciding?" or something like that, but I won't see him until Monday. I am starting to think I didn't get a part. *sigh*

10-08-2006, 10:12 PM	#1
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	Theatre Involvement Advice I am looking for advie to those of you who have done some theatrical work. I have never done any previous theatrical work, but I decided since earlier this year that I would like to try it out. One of my co-workers is a thespian in our college, so I asked him if he had any info. He told me about an audition this past Saturday. I told him I would probably be competing against others with more experience, and he encouraged me to just try out. I went ahead and tried out. I was feeling nervous as I was heading over to the auditions because I wasn't sure how they would be like. When I got there, I saw a group of about 3-4 people upfront on stage practicing some lines from a script. I sat and watched them. When they finished, my thespian co-worker came up to me and welcomed me. Then he explained they were reading a couple of Woody Allen scripts. He handed me one and told me to read the part of Jenny as a start. Jenny entered towards the end of a scene, and I felt I was a bit nervous because I felt rusty. I was reading cold from a script. The second time I read together with this girl. We did this one-act dialogue, and I didn't feel as nervous as I did from the first script. Finally, they wanted us to read a pre-written monologue to see how we would read. One girl went before me, and I would be next. They explained that this character is supposed to be a little wacky and sort of "out there." You know...weird. It was also a male character. I took my heart and put a personality on this wacky male character. As I read, I felt myself sorta become that character. I contribute this to all the comedic sitcoms I have loved to watch over the years. I saw people were laughing at the wackiest sentences, and I even made some facial expressions and non-verbal cues to add something humorous. This was soooo much fun!!! They clapped at the end! I felt happy. Then, my co-worker told me I read beautifully. The thespians just wanted us to read some dialogue and some monologue so they get a feel of how we read and how we portray the characters. So, I don't know how long they will decide, but I am sure they will decide soon as it'll be about 5-6 weeks before the actual opening of this play to the public. Ack! My question - what is your advice if I do get cast a part? Or, just in overall tryouts? Whether I get a part this time, it's not going to be the last time I try out. It's fun! It's helped me overcome some shyness. I felt alive, in one way. Anyway...anyone?

10-10-2006, 07:40 PM	#5
Number 9 Dream That '70s Girl Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 5,875	Good for you, Mona! Theatre work can be very fun and also very rewarding. I've done some theatre work myself (I was in the play Godspell twice), and although it could be difficult at times, I ended up having a very good time and discovering I was a good actress (this was my first experience ever, so it was very scary! Not only did I have to act, but I had my own solo, as well as singing with other actors for their pieces). I am not sure how theatre work goes in schools since I did it with a play group outside of school, but the best advice I can give you is to just do the best job you can with the character ('becoming' the character is very important! Live and breathe that character!) and don't listen to any negative remarks. Have fun! I really miss theatre, actually.
	__________________ Live a little be a gypsy get around http://www.librarything.com/profile/skelterhelter http://retrogirl82.dvdaf.com/owned formerly Retrogirl82

10-10-2006, 08:43 PM	#6
tdf4077 JaJa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,678	I'm a stage manager for a LOT of shows, so as one who normally casts, this is what I say: Be prepared. Be polite. Take a few deep breaths before going on the stage...make eye contact with the judges/directors/etc. Introduce yourself. Stand center stage. Go full-out...don't hold anything back! It's your only chance...and even though you may feel cheesy or whatever, it'll pay off and you'll stand out in a good way. If you get cast, no matter what the role, make it your's (even if you're just an ensemble person with one line...make it the best line of the entire play). Take every opportunity as a learning experience. Apply the same notions of confidence and poise to your every day life.
	__________________ CSC--The Best Cycling Team in the World!!

10-08-2006, 10:58 PM	#2
Central Perk ~~~~~ Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2002 Posts: 4,553	I think it's really amazing what you're doing and I think you're approaching it the right way. You're having fun and enjoying the experience and I'm sure you'll do great if you get the part.

10-08-2006, 11:07 PM	#3
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	I've been through many auditions in high school. Just don't be nervous and don't let other people intimidate you. It may be a bit different if there are different people at every tryout you go to, versus when I was in school, there was a group of us that always tried out. Just look over the characters you may be interested in playing and the script as a whole to get a feeling for the setting at the personalites, and then just go up on stage and act like you think the characters would. Make it natural. If you try too hard, people notice. And the biggest part of acting is making the characters forget you're Mona and think you're whatever character. Kind of forget you're acting. And if you do get a part, just study your script any chance you get and have fun! Some people get too serious about it, like they're on Broadway or getting paid. Well, some of those people don't even take it so seriously. And don't let a crabby director get to you. Our director in HS used to get so mad that he'd yell and rant and throw things around. Don't let that stuff scare you.

10-12-2006, 10:40 PM	#7
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	Thank you again for the advice, everyone. I surely hope to hear some news soon. Yep, I'm growing superly anxious. I have even considered asking my co-worker who works in the theatre department at our college, but I didn't want to appear too eager. I mean, surely I do want to know, but I didn't want to sound pushy. Man.... Well, I suppose I can ask him, "Do you have an idea when they'll be deciding?" or something like that, but I won't see him until Monday. I am starting to think I didn't get a part. sigh