Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 12/4/2011

Question
Hi,

 I'm a high school junior who is auditioning for Anita in our school's production in West Side Story. I have a pretty good chance at the role because I'm one of the only colored people in our drama program (Asian), I am a very good dancer, and my voice is pretty good, (span of pretty low and decent high, mezzo soprano i guess). But I am a little worried about my acting audition. In our school ,we act out a scene of the show. I am planning to do Anita right before she sings America. Can you give me tips on how to act her part? Anything is helpful, Thanks.

Answer
Hi there, Christina....

Great question . Thanks for writing.

I would say first of all that it is important that you not see this as you playing someone else.  But that you get in touch with the parts of you that are Anita.  What do you know from the script about her?  What is it about you that is similar?  Bring you to the role.  That is always the best way to insure that you are playing honestly.

The next thing that I would say is for your audition, look at that part just before she sings American and ask yourself about what the script tells you about her.  What is similar to you?  Find that in yourself and do that.  

Also, really know what your objective is in the piece.  What are you doing to the person that is in the scene with you?  Even though you are doing a monologue for the audition, it is essential that you know who is there with you and how this person is impacting you in the scene.   You are looking for an action objective - an objective that is an action verb.  

Does that help you?  

Wanda