Auditions are scary. That’s a fact I don’t think anyone in the history of ever would dispute- especially in a new school. My first audition at Camas High School (CHS) was for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which played two years ago. Prior to then, I’d only been to CHS once in my life and I was as intimidated as a deer in headlights. Just to add the cherry on top, auditions were on the first day of school.

Thinking back on it, I don’t really know how I got into that show. Just about all the odds were pitched against me. With that being said, we just wrapped up Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet several weeks ago, in which I played Benvolio (genderbent to Benvolia), my biggest role yet. 

Three years ago I had never been in a theatre performance and the thought that I could be an actress wasn’t something I had remotely considered. Now that audition season has rolled back around, not only in Camas but also in many surrounding schools and districts, I thought: Why not offer some affirmations? 

So I got together with the CHS drama department. Here’s a friendly list of tips and support, from an actor to an actor, to hopefully help calm those nerves. 

Imagine you’re somewhere else.

(Recommended by Daria Kukartseva, the current CHS Thespians president. Formerly seen as Lady Capulet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Commander Vimes in Terry Pratchett’s Monstrous Regiment.) 

Auditions are great fun, but the stomach butterflies definitely aren’t. Something that many of us have found is that it really helps to imagine we’re in a place that calms us down. For me personally, that’s with my cat. Anything that gets your feet rooted and those butterflies out of your stomach will help, and as silly as it sounds, imagine yourself with a pet. Close your eyes and imagine you’re wrapped in a blanket by the fireplace on a snowy day, or running from the ocean waves in the sun. Whatever makes you happiest; go there. 

We’re not judging you nearly as much as you think we are — as a matter of fact, we aren’t judging you at all.

The only person judging you on audition day is your director, but you kind of signed up for that, didn’t you. 

We’re all actors here, and whether a person consistently gets leads or it’s only someone’s second audition ever, we’re all nervous. We don’t want to see anyone fail. As competitive as auditions can sometimes get, it’s all in good nature. We are a community, and we love each other, because that’s what we do. Theatre is an art, and people are the medium; just because we all compete for the spotlight doesn’t mean we don’t all get a space to shine. 

Practice in front of people.

(Recommended by Sean Kelly, our lovely CHS drama teacher and director.) 

Memorizing your monologue or song is the basic standard for an audition, but something that can really help boost confidence is to perform your audition in groups. Having people watch you while you audition is arguably the scariest part, so building up your confidence with people before you get on the stage is something that will always help. 

Especially practicing with people who are auditioning alongside you, because then you know you have people rooting for you in the audience- even more than the rest of us!

If you don’t know anyone going into an audition, talk to people! High school actors are some of the most friendly and open people I know, and I’ve made some of my best friends through theater. 

Make peace with the nature of the beast.

(Recommended by Josie Kotter, a member of the Thespians club. Previously seen in Metropolitan Performing Arts’ Pippin and a current cast member of CHS’s early-process work of Urinetown). 

Kotter said it best: the only way out is through. If you can get comfortable with that prospect, you’ll become more comfortable with the space you’re given, and in turn, have more room to play with your audition. Having the confidence to make bold choices in your audition is something that directors love to see, and sometimes that starts with knowing the possible outcomes and being ready for anything. 

Your directors aren’t expecting you to fit the role perfectly at your audition.

This is something I find myself always telling my castmates, and it seems to really help them fight the butterflies. When you audition, your directors aren’t at all expecting you to fit right into the role you’re auditioning for. They’re looking for potential to guide you into what they see for the character. If you fit the role perfectly, that’s great, but most times, a director will never tell you that directly, because even if you do fit the role, there’s always room to improve. 

You don’t have to be perfect, or look fancy, or change yourself up all drastically. Of course, the acting is important, but directors want to see who you are beyond that, too. The single best advice I can give to anyone, actor or not, is to be confident and be yourself.