AboutPaul B. Crook Expertise I am qualified to answer questions regarding acting styles (including both straight and musical theatre), audition techniques, directorial questions, script analysis, casting, script selection, and theatre curricula. I cannot answer questions regarding acting/directing for TV or Film, technical theatre, theatre/stage management, theatre history, or dramaturgy. Please do not ask questions regarding homework, as I will not answer those.
Experience I have worked professionally as an actor and director at various theatres around the country for fifteen years. I have worked with outdoor theatres, dinner theatres, and Shakespeare Festivals. I currently serve as the acting/directing professor at Louisiana Tech University.
Organizations Southeastern Theatre Confrerence and Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
Publications SOUTHERN THEATRE, SETC News, five original scripts (two 10 minute, two one act, one full-length) produced
Education/Credentials I hold an MFA in Theatre from the University of Alabama and a BS degree in Language Arts from the University of Alabama.
Awards and Honors Druid Arts Awards for Theatre Practitioner of the Year and Theatre Educator of the Year; T. Earle Johnson Award
Expert: Paul B. Crook Date: 4/29/2008 Subject: What directors look for?
Question QUESTION: I am auditioning for the play A Bad Year For Tomatoes tomorrow night and I just want to basically know what do directors look for when casting someone in a play.
I have only been in one play, so I am figuring thy would pick someone who has done more than me, but is it all about experience? Next month will be my first time taking acting classes.
The plays that I have auditioned for, they usually cast people they knwo personally over someone that is "new" to the scene. What can I look for each time I audition to help my chances of getting picked or getting noticed?
ANSWER: Hi, Andrea!
There's not really a simple answer to your question(s) because there are so many variables. Directors in community theatre, educational theatre, and professional theatre all have different criteria when casting and each director also has his or her own style of casting.
As a general rule, the best advice I can give you when going for an audition is to make bold choices. The actors that I want to work with are the ones I see in an audition who are not afraid to make a strong acting choice in an audition. The ones who just kind of stand there and try not to get in anyone's way aren't interesting to watch and typically won't get a callback. Make a decision about your character or the situation she's in. Don't worry about whether or not it's the "right" one--just make a choice and then go with it. Have high energy, focus your attention, and if the director asks you to do something, then go all out doing it.
Break a leg on the audition--hope this helps!
-Paul
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QUESTION: Paul, Thanks for your reply. I think the best thing you said is - "The ones who just kind of stand there and try not to get in anyone's way .." I am like that. I am very quiet, polite, maybe too polite. My personal personality is like that. It's a community theatre, and usually what happens is we sit in a circle and take turns in small groups auditioning for the parts we want. We also have small talk and socializing but I think I am just too quiet for that. Maybe it's my personality that's killing it.
Anyway thank you!
Answer Hi, Andrea!
One of the keys in community theatres is just having a willingness to get involved. Even if you're not cast, being willing to take on another role--working backstage, front of house, etc. will get your name known and get you more comfortable with everyone and them with you.
