Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 5/27/2009

Question
Hi, Wanda!
For our school musical this fall, we are doing Footloose. I wanted to get a head start on auditioning this year, because I was beat out for the lead in Oklahoma last year.
I'm almost positive I want to audition for Ariel, but I've decided to also audition for Rusty to have a back up.
I'm pretty good in the singing department, I just need help with acting, pretty please. :)
So, what I'm asking for is tips with my audition. Can you help?


Answer
Hi there, Megan...And thanks for writing.

Help for your audition -
1.  Use the words in the play (including the music) to determine what kind of person each of the characters are that you want to play.  In other words, get to know them well.

2.  Use the words to also determine what the overall objective of the character is in the play - what do they want to accomplish.

3.  Once you know what they want, also determine what they don't want.

4.  Once you know what they don't want, then determine what each of these characters would do (an action) to accomplish what they want and what they don't want.  

5.  And then look at the music that you will be performing or the audition piece that you will be performing and match the situation in the piece with a few of these actions.  

6.  Practice the piece while believing and honestly attempting to do these actions.  


This is basically the Stanislavsky method of acting and think it would help you to prepare well.  

Does this help you?

Wanda