Austin Shakespeare: Ann Ciccolella's Advice on Auditioning

Here's what Artistic DirectorAnn Ciccolella tells her students and will be watching for today at auditions for Tom Stoppard's Arcadia:

Advice to the players

Tips on auditioning

From Ann Ciccolella, Artistic Director, Austin Shakespeare

To be successful auditioning means to be present, relaxed and connected during your audition. I want to a sense of who YOU are… at first very simply: your voice and body, spirit and personality. I am very interested in the uniqueness you bring to character. So, don’t try to guess “what the director wants.” In fact, sometimes I see something in someone that I hadn’t anticipated and changed my vision of a character.

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What is important is:

Just clearly communicate what’s going on in your speech/scene, ie. the important focus is on what you WANT… right?

If you working in a scene, LISTEN to your scene partner. Yes, Acting is re-acting.

If you are doing a speech, SHARE what you are saying with us. What is the result you want in the situation from saying these words? And you want to get that goal NOW -- as the immediate result of your speech. In the end of the speech, did you get what you want or not? How might that affect the end?

Plunge into the moment. Take Risks, surprise us. Surprise yourself…. And enjoy this experience all your can.

NERVES. It is natural to feel stress at auditioning. Put yourself in a place to succeed before you come into the room. Tell yourself that breathing will help you perform better. Focus on the audition as playful; engage your imagination. We are ready to enjoy your piece. And we are glad you are auditioning!

Let all your tension be released as energy to get what you want in the moment you experience each word.

Coach yourself with kindness to do that.

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