Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition

Any actor or actress will have to audition in his/hers lifetime. In the setting of an audition, the first audition usually has to do with one pre-selecting a monologue from a published work and performing it in front of one or many auditors. The importance of and vulnerability of performing the audition monologue brings about stress. Here are some steps you can take the diminish that stress and focus on your acting.

Steps

 * 1) Think about the reasons you are stressed out before you figure out how to fix it entirely. [[Image:Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Deal with your Stage Fright. For most people, all the stress can be pin pointed to the fear of doing it in front of others. Don't let the confidence of others fool you - every actor, old or young, new or experienced, is uncomfortable with the presence of an audience. And for a good reason. People inevitably will judge you based on your appearance, character, and acting. You are putting yourself out there for the world. But you need to get past that and stop caring about what they think of you.[[Image:Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3) * Imagine this: Stop wanting to change everything about yourself and present yourself to the world. Walk in there, do your best, and if you are not what they're looking for, then that's fine. That's life and you gave them what you had. If they want want you, they'll call you back.
 * 4) You are not at the mercy of them, they are at the mercy of you. Think about that. What every you do in the one to two minutes will monopolize everyone else in the room. They are forced to listen to you and respond to what you offer.[[Image:Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Know the monologue. As simple as this sounds, know it in your dreams. Your sleep. You will need a full two weeks or more to memorize it and a week to truly understand it. Don't try to memorize it at first glance, try to understand it. Print out two copies and mark one up with notes about acting and beats or places to pause. The other, color code it with markers into sections. Draw pictures about the sections. Draw the characters, their expressions and body language, the set, imagine it happening on a stage. Make sure you have read the play, and make sure you know all the information about it before it is asked.[[Image:Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Memorize the monologue. As discussed above, memorizing takes two weeks. Cramming a monologue into short term memory will stress you out more and cause you to forget it easily. There are many memorizing techniques, but perhaps the best for your brain is to start on the first line. Memorize it. And the second, and the third. Then recite them all three times. Move on to the next three or four, memorizing them individually. Recite it from the beginning three times. If you have memorized it, recite it constantly perfectly.[[Image:Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 7) Have a relaxing day before the auditions. Exercise, drink lots of water, and do not drink any energy drinks. Get a good night sleep for the energy you will need.[[Image:Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 8) Stop reading about how to cope with it and relax. Every one auditioning will be nervous, but look at it as an opportunity. The window will open for a minute, and it will close.[[Image:Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition Step 7.jpg|center]]
 * 9) Deep breathing, slow your heart rate down. Treat the day like any ordinary day, just conserve your energy.[[Image:Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition Step 8.jpg|center]]
 * 10) When you get to the audition room, study the space. Study how it will become the environment of the monologue. You will become 1/2 actor and 1/2 your character. Be more of your character than anything.[[Image:Cope with Stress in a Monologue Audition Step 9.jpg|center]]

Tips

 * Remember you are performing, and the auditors are your audience! Do not just recite your monologue, act as if you are putting on a one-person show and it's opening night.
 * Your audition begins as soon as you enter the room. Make sure to smile, say hello, and speak loudly and clearly.
 * Speak slowly. It's easy to speed up when you are nervous. Don't worry about going over your time limit, the auditors will stop you if needed.
 * Believe you did your best. After your audition, don't focus on what you could have done better. Instead, put it out of your mind and occupy your time with something else. The worst they can say to you is no!

Related wikiHows

 * Deal with Stress in Acting Auditions