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Artistree Performing Arts

Performing Arts Group | Mamaroneck, New York

Audition Tips

The View from the Casting Table: Casting 101

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It’s casting season once again at Artistree and as I’m in the midst of casting four shows in two weeks, I have a few things to say on the subject.  Casting is one of the most wonderful and most horrible parts of my job. The gleeful emails make me smile and the tough emails bring me to tears. I have said this before–in class, in the blog, in the studio–casting is a like putting together a puzzle.  And the puzzle only fits together with pieces you are given–essentially, the members of the cast. A different puzzle is going to have different pieces in any given production. But for this moment in time, the creative team has the job of trying to make these particular pieces (actors) fit together.

I love taking chances and risks in casting.  And I always cast the actor over the singer. But I also love finding that spark in an actor’s audition.  Something that makes them stand out–(especially after you’ve heard thirteen renditions of “Tomorrow” back to back.)  

In the end, I would say to every parent and child to trust the process.  I say those words, (as many of you know) to my students before every performance.  But I would encourage you to think about that phrase from the first audition. Trust that you or your child is being put exactly where they are supposed to be at THIS moment.  And throughout the process, can you make your mantra, “what can I learn from this?” If you’re given an ensemble role, what else can you learn when you’re not working? Can you study the performances or the direction being given?  Can you tell when an actor is actually TAKING direction? So much is to be learned by watching the process–sometimes even more than the doing.

Think about this as the casting for your show is released.  Take a moment to breathe before you approach your creative team and see if you can trust the process that is underway.  I assure you, taking that challenge, will be the greatest learning experience of all.

How to Deal with Disappointment

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Continuing our season of auditions at Artistree, casting can be my most and least favorite part of producing a show.  I love seeing what my students bring to the table–the choices they make, the performances that surprise me and the work they put into each and every role.  But inevitably, there can only be one person in each part and because of that, disappointment is bound to ensue.  And while disappointment is completely natural, how you deal with it can make or break your experience in a show.

I tell my students that if you are not happy with your part, you are allowed to put a picture of my face on your wall and throw darts or tomatoes at it for 24 hours.  Feel your feelings–get mad, be sad and own what’s inside you.  But after that, it’s time to take a breath, shake it off and be part of the ensemble.  Thank your director for the part you did receive and if you are curious, ask what you could have done differently or what you could be working on.  (This should come from the student, NOT the parent.)   Be gracious and be open.  Some of the most fun and certainly some of the most educational moments in my theater career took place when I was NOT the lead.  But that’s because I was open to the experience before me.  There is so much to be gained by being an active participant in the storytelling.  Every single person in a show is like a puzzle piece.  And just like when one piece of the puzzle is gone and you see a gaping hole, when one person isn’t fully invested in the play, you see the hole.  So, actors–DON’T BE THE HOLE!

I find that another huge component of how my students deal with disappointment in casting is how parents react–especially in my younger students.  Everyone wants to be Annie.  But somebody has to be Sandy.  If you, as a parent, dwell on what your child DIDN’T get, then that’s the attitude they will have.  On the flip side, if you approach whatever role your child gets as an amazing opportunity to learn more about theater, have a BLAST and do what they love, then they’re more likely to “get over it” pretty quickly.

As I have said before, theater kids make the most resilient adults, because they learn to deal with this disappointment thing early on.  And your help, as a parent, can help them figure it out even faster.  And at the end of the day, if they are happy, then we’ve all done our jobs.

Tips to a Great Audition

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It’s audition season at Artistree! This is one of my favorite times of the year at the studio. It feels like a fresh start for everyone where we get to see the growth of our students and meet the new, enthusiastic faces who join us as well. No matter what role you had in the previous show, the slate is wiped clean for everyone. I always look forward to auditions because no matter what the show is, someone auditioning ALWAYS surprises me. Casting is one of my favorite parts of the job, but it can also be one of the most frustrating, when I see students not performing to their potential due to lack of preparation or knowledge.

Therefore, I wanted to give a few tips on how to knock it out of the park on ANY audition–whether it’s your school play, here at Artistree or in a professional setting.

#1. The audition starts the MOMENT you walk into the room.
The casting team behind that table makes a judgment about you the moment you walk into the room. So be your very best, but NATURAL self. Be YOU! (Though a smile and pleasant attitude goes a LONG way.) You might give the best read or sing your face off, but if YOU as a person don’t come across as someone easy to work with, I can guarantee you’ll get passed over for the role. No divas allowed!

#2. Success = OPPORTUNITY PLUS PREPARATION.
Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared. Don’t wait until the night before to start practicing your audition material. Do your research. Read the play. Know the soundtrack. Understand the characters. An overnight success in the business is rarely that. It’s a person who DOES THE WORK so when the opportunity presents itself, they are ready!

#3. Be nice to the pianist.
I know I’m a little biased on this one, but making the pianist your best friend is the smartest thing you can do. (Next to marrying one.) Be sure your binder of music looks clean and that your music is inside plastic sheet protectors. Make sure the music is in the RIGHT key and that where to start and stop are marked clearly. (Not everyone can transpose on sight like Peter Capelle.) And be nice. The person on those keys usually has as much a say in casting as anyone.

#4. Audition like the role is yours.
This audition may be the only chance you get to show the creative team what you’ve got. Don’t hold back. Give it everyone ounce of energy and excitement you have. Make them see that you’re the ONLY one they could give it to. Be confident and self-assured.

#5. WRONG AND STRONG!
I can’t tell you how many auditions (hello–can we say dance calls?) I’ve faked my way through because my face was selling it the whole time. If they ask you to do something you know you’re not very good at, who CARES! Show them your personality and let your inner light shine. And if you make a mistake, so what? Most of time if you don’t let on that you messed up, they will NEVER know. OR–they’ll be so impressed with how you recovered that they’ll cast you anyway.

And when it’s all said and done, remember–auditioning is subjective. A different casting director might cast things completely differently. If you don’t get the part, it doesn’t mean you’re not talented. It means that this time, they went in another direction. Be grateful you got to explore a new character and then (in the words of my friend, Christian Duhumel,) move on.com. I can assure you, your time is coming.