The Actor's Guide to Everything

I can't afford new PHOTOGRAPHS, what should I do?

I'm a BIG PERSON, do I need to LOSE WEIGHT to work in this business?

Should I go to an AUDITION if I'm sick?

How do I find a VOICE TEACHER?

How do I get into COMMERCIALS?

What is a FIRST REFUSAL in commercials?

How many different HEADSHOTS do I need?

What should I put on my RESUME, or leave off?

How do I choose a PHOTOGRAPHER?

How do deal with REJECTION?

Is it a good idea to go on TOUR?

What's an INDUSTRIAL?

Can I book a PILOT if I'm in NYC?

Should I go to LA for PILOT SEASON?

get new When should I PICTURES?

How do I get INDUSTRY PEOPLE to come to SHOWCASES?

Where do I find the best ACTING CLASSES?

What is PILOT SEASON?

How do I prepare for a MUSICAL THEATRE audition?

What kind of music is best for a MUSICAL THEATRE audition?

How do I break into VOICE OVERS?

What should I wear in my PHOTOS?

Should I do SHOWCASES?

How do I find a MONOLOGUE?

ACT I - GETTING HERE
ACT II - GETTING STARTED
THIS IS A BUSINESS - YOU ARE A PRODUCT
TOOLS I NEED TO SELL MY PRODUCT
HEADSHOTS
RESUMES
CLASSES
MAILINGS
AUDITIONING
AUDITION MATERIAL
DIFFERENCES IN AUDITIONING FOR THEATRE / TV / FILM
WHEN AM I TOO SICK TO AUDITION?
WHAT TO WEAR - DRESSING FOR THE PART
BEFORE THE AUDITION
DURING THE AUDITION
AFTER THE AUDITION
REJECTION
ACT III - GETTING AHEAD

BEFORE THE AUDITION

This is your time. Every audition should have the adrenalin of opening night, which you can use to fuel your performance. Generally when auditioning, you want to do your third audition first. This means that the more you work on your audition piece, the better it gets (without over working it). Rehearse it with two different character choices. Choose the best one to use at the audition while keeping the other in your back pocket. Always run your monologue or scene in front of a friend or coach before you enter the audition room. Make sure to write down all of the audition information in your Audition Diary.

AUDITION DIARY

Your audition diary should contain the following information:

The time, date and place of your audition.
The show you are auditioning for.
The role you are auditioning for.
What you prepared.
Who was there.
Who are the creatives; producers, director, etc.
What you wore.
Notes on how it the audition went.

IMPORTANT - Do the research before each audition! Who is the director? Maybe you saw some of his/her work (you are going to plays aren't you?). Maybe you've met the casting director - when, where and for what reason? What else do they cast? You should be aware of the producer, and the playwright or screenwriter of the project. The more you know, the better. It's all about the tools. Look at the internet: the Internet Movie Data Base has a wealth of info on actors, directors, casting directors and movies; the Internet Broadway Data Base has Broadway information for actors, directors, stage managers, casting directors, etc.; the Lortel Archives have Off-Broadway Play information; Doollee has playwright information.
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