Students gives tips on how to audition for university plays

For the actor, auditioning is crunch time. In a matter of seconds or minutes, an audition performance determines whether the actor will get a part in show performing in front of hundreds of people.\nAuditioning for University theater productions starts well before an actor steps in front of any director. Students trying out must first sign up for a time slot on the call board in the theater building. In addition, most auditions require students to prepare a monologue -- a vital part of the audition process.\n"The type of monologue you want to do depends on the type of show you're auditioning for," said sophomore Emmi Hilger.\nAssociate Professor of Acting and Directing Bruce Burgun said his best advice for someone auditioning is to have a piece showcasing what he or she does well. He also said it is important to put the best stuff at the beginning.\n"The first 10 to 12 seconds is about deciding if they can act," Burgun said. "The next 10 to 12 seconds is about deciding if they have a place in the cast."\nAnother type of auditioning, called "cold reading," requires students to perform a scene or part of a scene from the script of the play. The scripts are generally available for checkout from the theater office to allow students to read them before the audition, but there is not a great deal more that can be done to prepare for this type of audition.\n"Cold readings are hard because you're trying to guess what the director wants," said sophomore Kevin Anderson. "But it's not so bad because everyone is in the same boat."\nFor musical productions, an excerpt from a song must be prepared for the audition. Much like drama auditions, Burgun suggested that performers should emphasize their best qualities.\n"You want to choose a song that has your best five notes," Burgun said.\nStudents auditioning are asked to show up early. Although auditions often run behind schedule, they might get ahead, especially if people who signed up for a time slot don't show up.\nWhen students arrive at an audition, they are generally asked to fill out a sheet with their experience, availability, contact information and anything else the director wants to know. \nSome auditioners bring headshots and resumes, but they are not required for most University productions. When they are done filling out their sheet, students are asked to wait in the hall outside of the room in which they will audition. \nWhen their names are called, students often feel a mixture of emotions.\n"It's a feeling of excitement with a little bit of nervousness, I guess," said junior Matt Mauntel. \nWhen the audition is over, students must wait for the director to post the list of actors who are called back. Normally, this is done the next day.\n"You usually hear from someone when it's up, and no one tells you whether you made it or not. Then it's either a big letdown or you're really happy," Anderson said.\nAt callbacks, actors are asked to read from the script for one or several roles. This process can often take some time. \nAnderson was called back and cast in last year's production of "The Laramie Project."\n"I was (at callbacks) five hours. It was very tiring," he said.\nWhen callbacks are over, the next step is the posting of the final cast list. \nWith so many students auditioning for so few roles, some students end up discouraged by the process. \nBurgun said it is sometimes too bad that some students who can act aren't cast because they don't have a place in the particular show. He said some students don't realize most directors are desperate to cast their shows.\n"We want everyone to do well," Burgun said.\n-- Contact staff writer David Charles at dacharle@indiana.edu..