3 answers
Annabelle
Student
South Harrison, NJ
1
Question
Asked
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How do auditions work for actors and actresses?
At the moment, I’m focusing on finishing high school. I’m heading into 9th grade currently, but have started thinking about future careers, and acting stood out to me. I’ve always been interested in the idea of acting, voice acting, etc. Any advice is helpful!
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3 answers
Shay Marshall, MS
Regional Operations Manager
19
Answers
Navarre, Florida
Updated
Shay’s Answer
You should look into local theater and arts programs to work on building your craft and resume. Also check out apps like Backdoor, it is meant for actors/actresses looking for opportunities but locally and nationally. The biggest thing is having a diverse portfolio of work. Also getting professional headshots done.
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Annabelle !
It's great that you are thinking about acting as a career and auditions are part of it, but before Auditions, there's a lot to learn. You probably should check with your high school to find out of they offer an acting class or do plays. The "auditions" in high school are not the same as professional auditions.
Once you are fully trained as an actress and have substantial experience, you can start auditioning for plays, TV, film, etc. But while you are in high school, opportunities to act may come your way so do inquire about plays being done at school, video production activities and clubs at school. These projects may not require auditioning if it is a club at school. High School will be the place that you can discover if your "idea" of acting is something you'll want to pursue further.
You've asked how auditions "work" for actors, well, it's the equivalent of skill testing and an interview for other careers. The person holding auditions has a script that will eventually be turned into a living story. They need characters for that story, so the way to find them is to audition lots of actors and see who fits the character the best. On some projects, actors are pre-chosen and the rest of the cast needs to audition. Auditions are so different from show to show that it's almost impossible to have insight. You can depend on audition notices telling you exactly what you'll need to submit (photos/resume/reel) and what you'll need to do for the audition. Remember, every audition is different and has different criteria and requirements.
If you pursue this career, you will start to learn about the websites that list auditions, such as Backstage, Direct Submit, Actors Access and ones like HGB Casting that have audition notices for productions in New Jersey and New York. That will come later on down the line because you will first have to be a trained actor to go confidently and accurately perform an audition. The advice I received from one of my acting teachers when I was young was to always give an opening night performance at an audition. I follow that advice.
So, start out at your high school. Beginning with Theatre experience is great because it's the best foundation and later on you can take Film and Television acting in the community or in college if you decide to pursue acting. Some introduction courses you can take to learn more about the career are free online. Do a search for the courses titled "Approaching Plays", and "The Foundations of Acting In Film". Out of Portland, OR, there is an online group called Acting for Kids and Teens that you can do a search online for. They offer acting lessons, voice over lessons and assistance with auditions, private coaching and also workshops. Definitely return here to Career Village if you have any specific additional questions about Acting or Auditions and I will be happy to advise you.
Once you start getting experience, are around directors and other high school actors and start studying theatre and acting, you will begin to have insight on this career. I hope this helps for a start and I wish you all the best !
It's great that you are thinking about acting as a career and auditions are part of it, but before Auditions, there's a lot to learn. You probably should check with your high school to find out of they offer an acting class or do plays. The "auditions" in high school are not the same as professional auditions.
Once you are fully trained as an actress and have substantial experience, you can start auditioning for plays, TV, film, etc. But while you are in high school, opportunities to act may come your way so do inquire about plays being done at school, video production activities and clubs at school. These projects may not require auditioning if it is a club at school. High School will be the place that you can discover if your "idea" of acting is something you'll want to pursue further.
You've asked how auditions "work" for actors, well, it's the equivalent of skill testing and an interview for other careers. The person holding auditions has a script that will eventually be turned into a living story. They need characters for that story, so the way to find them is to audition lots of actors and see who fits the character the best. On some projects, actors are pre-chosen and the rest of the cast needs to audition. Auditions are so different from show to show that it's almost impossible to have insight. You can depend on audition notices telling you exactly what you'll need to submit (photos/resume/reel) and what you'll need to do for the audition. Remember, every audition is different and has different criteria and requirements.
If you pursue this career, you will start to learn about the websites that list auditions, such as Backstage, Direct Submit, Actors Access and ones like HGB Casting that have audition notices for productions in New Jersey and New York. That will come later on down the line because you will first have to be a trained actor to go confidently and accurately perform an audition. The advice I received from one of my acting teachers when I was young was to always give an opening night performance at an audition. I follow that advice.
So, start out at your high school. Beginning with Theatre experience is great because it's the best foundation and later on you can take Film and Television acting in the community or in college if you decide to pursue acting. Some introduction courses you can take to learn more about the career are free online. Do a search for the courses titled "Approaching Plays", and "The Foundations of Acting In Film". Out of Portland, OR, there is an online group called Acting for Kids and Teens that you can do a search online for. They offer acting lessons, voice over lessons and assistance with auditions, private coaching and also workshops. Definitely return here to Career Village if you have any specific additional questions about Acting or Auditions and I will be happy to advise you.
Once you start getting experience, are around directors and other high school actors and start studying theatre and acting, you will begin to have insight on this career. I hope this helps for a start and I wish you all the best !
P.S. Very important to remember: do not invest in photos until you are ready to act and are at least at an intermediate level. Never use social media to put your identity and photos for acting - it's not done that way and can present problems. Being an actress is a process and you must be ready when you audition professionally or it may lead to disappointment. I have your best interest in mind.
Michelle M.
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
146
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
From what I have seen from my actor friends, it's kinda similar to music and the other creative industries. What do I mean by this? Well, your main job is not the work you hope to do- it's auditioning, or submitting audition tapes. Depending on what side of acting you want to go into- stage or on screen- you may have different experiences with each. There will be things you will have to do before starting your job of auditions (and accepting acting work).
1. You will need to sign to an agency. This will get you into rooms to audition. Once you have an agent, you will be able to focus on preparing for auditions and not searching for the right fit all day every day.
2. Get headshots done. And keep updating them as you change. Update them at least once every 2 years or so. When you walk into an audition the people in the room already know what they are looking for- they want to know if you are a good fit. If they think the person in the headshot works but you look completely different now then you will have a hard time booking that role.
At this point, you're still young. I would focus on just having fun doing what you love- if that's acting still then do that but not thinking about money while doing it. Do community theater, help teach children theater, audition for your school play and musical, and take theater classes. You won't want to regret something when you start your professional career.
Hope this helps!
1. You will need to sign to an agency. This will get you into rooms to audition. Once you have an agent, you will be able to focus on preparing for auditions and not searching for the right fit all day every day.
2. Get headshots done. And keep updating them as you change. Update them at least once every 2 years or so. When you walk into an audition the people in the room already know what they are looking for- they want to know if you are a good fit. If they think the person in the headshot works but you look completely different now then you will have a hard time booking that role.
At this point, you're still young. I would focus on just having fun doing what you love- if that's acting still then do that but not thinking about money while doing it. Do community theater, help teach children theater, audition for your school play and musical, and take theater classes. You won't want to regret something when you start your professional career.
Hope this helps!