What to expect on my first audition (cold reading)?
1) Almost all cold readings are taken from the script you'll be working on. Though sometimes a director will choose scenes from a different play by the same author. But in this case I would bet on the scenes being from "Our Town". Read the play and ask yourself, "If I were the director, what scenes would I choose for auditions?" Usually it will be something that shows interaction between characters, many of the time it's from the middle of the play (before & after the intermission) when something big has/will happen. 2) Sometimes the selections will be available to read when you get there so you can go over them before you get into the audition hall, other times you won't see them until you're actually with the director. You will get at least a minute to look over the script. It's a good idea to come 10-20 min early to an audition just in case you need to fill out forms or on the off chance they'll have the readings available to look at before hand. 3) It's is always a good idea to have a part in mind when you audition! You should make sure you read the play before hand (or at the very least look up summaries, etc. online if you can't find the play). As "Our Town" is a play that you can find copies of fairly easily, I'd highly suggest you read it. When you go into to your audition have a couple characters in mind that really jumped out to you and make sure you have a reason why you'd like to play them to tell the director. (A bad answer is because it is a big part- a better answer is how much you enjoy the characters journey, or the challenge of playing someone different than you). Since it is a college production I would expect that most of the lead roles will go to students, and that the community will fill out the supporting cast. But I know I've been in a college shows where community members have gotten some of the bigger parts, so you never know. Though you can't really rehearse a cold reading, you can practise by reading pieces of the script aloud. This will also make you more familiar with the play too. Try to read so it becomes active with strong character choices. It’s better to commit to a strong decision about a character- even if it’s not what they are looking for- than to not take any risks. And remember the basic acting concepts of being seen & heard, while making a connection with your scene partner or audience. Break a leg!
How do I prepare for my first lead role on stage? Stage fright?
What always helped me was to focus on my scene partner or the motivation of my character (which is what you should be doing anyway). Also, all that energy of nerves makes for great energy on stage. Use it to your advantage. I can't remember you said it, but I heard an actor say something like the moment you lose that nervousness is the day you know to stop acting. So true. What's the point if you're not into it? I wouldn't suggest pretending the audience is not there b/c you will NEVER be able to abolish them. You see them, hear them, etc. They are there. Just don't make their presence the main focus while you're on stage. I promise, after the whole rehearsal process (especially the dress rehearsals) performing in front of others will be easier for you. By the time of performance the tech will have seen you and perhaps a preview audience. And you will have done this so often you will know it cold.
How do actors get big roles?
Also. keep in mind that actors almost never start with starring roles in movies. Before that, they have years of experience, usually in theater, sometimes in television or commercials, and supporting movie roles. And they develop a reputation, which everybody in The Industry knows, just like everybody in classical music knows who the up and coming piano players or violinists are.
How to get the lead role in a school play?
Hey all :] So this spring my school is putting on a play and I would very much like to be it. I love acting and everything, so there's that. But the play is Our Town, one of my favorite plays of all time, and the role that I want in that play is Emily, who happens to be like my dream role. But the problem is, I'm a freshman girl. Those lead roles don't typically go to freshman girls. It's quite a ways away, but I want to be prepared because I really do want this part. I've been taking acting classes, so I hope that that will help. Any tips that you can think of to be able to get this part even though I'm a freshman? Thanks :)