I want to build a really strong audition for the next time I go out for the Colorado RenFest cast.
Any advice would be welcome....
Remember to relax. Be yourself and remember that the directors want you to be good. They are not there to criticize you. Pick a piece that falls within your age range (Shakespeare) and enjoy the process. I, personally, am a terrible auditioner. Thank goodness I've gtton hired because of my work. Good luck and "Twinkle dangnubbit!"
I've been on the enterrainment cast at CoRf for two years now as a magician's assistant in the Arsene of Paris show, at least that's what it says in my contract but I always end up doing more :)! I first auditioned when I was 15 but that would be breaking child labor laws so they told me to come back in a year and Betty (the entertainment director) practically cast me before I had done anything! Here's what you should know:
If you are planning on doing street cast (which I imagine you are) have a great character! Make this person unique and memorable. You have to know everything about this person's life and hopes and dreams and everything! There used to be some character worksheet type of things posted around here somewhere that can help you with the details. Also, coming in costume is a good idea! Go into the audition as openly as you can be. It will probably be betty and 2 or 3 other actor types. Betty is one of the nicest people ever (when she's not being a "stress cookie" during faire ;)) so try not to be nervous, just think of it as showing off for friends! Do everything over the top and don't hold back! If you can sing, dance, juggle, anything, do it!the auditions are pretty laid back and even if you don't make cast you can usually get a food booth position or something similar and try again later... maybe you'll have picked up some things!
That's all the general stuff I can think of but if you have any more specific questions for someone who's actually been through it all (twice) feel free to ren mail me! Good luck!
Quote from: Miguel de Zaragoza on August 14, 2008, 04:17:02 PM
Good luck and "Twinkle dangnubbit!"
Dear god, you worked at MiRF, didn't you?
Edited to add:
Yeah, just figured out who you are. *sheepish* Of course you did.
Quote from: Kathleen MacFerno on August 14, 2008, 08:48:15 PM
I've been on the enterrainment cast at CoRf for two years now as a magician's assistant in the Arsene of Paris show, at least that's what it says in my contract but I always end up doing more :)! I first auditioned when I was 15 but that would be breaking child labor laws so they told me to come back in a year and Betty (the entertainment director) practically cast me before I had done anything! Here's what you should know:
If you are planning on doing street cast (which I imagine you are) have a great character! Make this person unique and memorable. You have to know everything about this person's life and hopes and dreams and everything! There used to be some character worksheet type of things posted around here somewhere that can help you with the details. Also, coming in costume is a good idea! Go into the audition as openly as you can be. It will probably be betty and 2 or 3 other actor types. Betty is one of the nicest people ever (when she's not being a "stress cookie" during faire ;)) so try not to be nervous, just think of it as showing off for friends! Do everything over the top and don't hold back! If you can sing, dance, juggle, anything, do it!the auditions are pretty laid back and even if you don't make cast you can usually get a food booth position or something similar and try again later... maybe you'll have picked up some things!
That's all the general stuff I can think of but if you have any more specific questions for someone who's actually been through it all (twice) feel free to ren mail me! Good luck!
This wil be my third audition for betty. the first one, she wanted e to be Periwinkle, but I had to go to boot camp so I couldn't play. The second time, didn't go so well.
This is my last try. I do have a character in mind, and the costume is nearly complete. My only concern now is...were the English and Russians on good terms during that time period? That's going to be key, I think...
Russia was ruled by Ivan the terrible form 1533-1584. He might have sent an ambassador to England and there were commercial relations between the two countries but he tended to isolate himself. He alienated himself especially through the second period of his reign.
It was the ambassador part I was looking for. I want my character to open trade negotiations with England. Hell, for final weekend, she could get arrested for spying or something. That would be ebtertaining...hehe
best audition advice I've received:
take chances
if you're asked to try something different, do it to the best of your ability, even if it's not what they were looking for, you get points for trying.
be prepared
have your info already to go and arrive a little early-it's sort of like going to the doctor's office.
smile
this one is pretty easy to understand
say thank you
even if it was a terrible audition, being gracious at the end is always a good idea-you never know who might think of you for a future project
My home faire (PA Ren Faire) is doing an Ivan the Terrible storyline this year, so that much I can help you with! Ivan did seek trade negotiations with Englad during their mutual reign. He openly wanted to marry an English lady and proposed to Lady Mary Hastings through his ambassador in 1583. She turned him down and she and her cousin QE1 put off the ambassadors further attempts until he eventually gave up. Russia and England weren't exactly friendly, but they weren't on bad terms either.
As far as the audition....just relax, be yourself, and be confident in whatever you do. Some people say avoid certain types of monologues but I say do whatever you are comfortable and confident with. Personally, I tend to use Shakespearean monologues because its what I enjoy even though a lot of people say to avoid them for faire auditions. If you really want a specific role, you may want to write your own monologue for that role...maybe the speech you would give the Queen to persuade her to accept Ivan's terms for trade for the ambassador role.
Good luck and have fun with it!