Michael Shurtleff’s 12 Guidepost for Auditioning • 1. Relationships
To begin with — do not worry if you don’t know the full story of the play or musical you are auditioning for. (Although it would be wise to familiarize yourself with the script prior to the audition, if possible.) — But in any case, make a choice, any choice. If you are re-directed by the Audition Team, take their direction and try it again. If they give you direction, they are interested in seeing how you work.
- Relationships
- What is my relationship to other characters in the scene? (Again — if you don’t know, make it up — it’s called “ACTING.”)
- Personal
- Business
- Social
- Never met
- What do you know/suppose about them? What do they suppose/know about you?
- Use your imagination.
- No relationship — no chemistry — no DRAMA!
- Where is the love?
- Is it a spiritual kind of love, felt deep within?
- Is it a purely physical attraction, momentary in nature?
- Is it a crush?
- Is it a long-term relationship?
- Is this love ‘anti-love’?
- Are you playful, cautious, bold, shy, scheming and ready to dish the dirt, full of compliments?
- Love comes in many forms.
- Are you sincere?
- Are you clueless? (Never been in love before) or (are you an old pro?
- “The desire for love, to give it or receive it, and preferably both simultaneously, is the chief propellant in human beings.”
- Love and affection, and their opposites, are the necessities of human relationships.
- What is my relationship to other characters in the scene? (Again — if you don’t know, make it up — it’s called “ACTING.”)
The book “AUDITION” by Michael Shurtleff is full of great techniques not only for auditioning, but for acting in general. I urge you to find a copy.
The paperback is published by Bantam Books-Drama, ©1978 by Michael Shurtleff– ISBN: 978-0-553-27295-6 (Drama Book Shop in NYC should have copies.)