190 Audition or Portfolio Review Participation

This page is specifically about the Audition Workshop.  Were you interested in Portfolio Review instead?

THR 190/290 Audition Assessment

(0 Credit Audition Class for Theatre Majors)

Theatre majors are required to participate in auditions and/or portfolio reviews every semester. Theatre majors are also expected to attend all Theatre UAF productions (tickets are provided free) and to attend all theatre department “Town” meetings.

This is separate from Theatre/ Film UAF main-stage and film auditions.

WHEN: Saturday September 7, 2013: 9:30AM-12:00PM. All actors will be there the entire time slot.

WHERE: Theatre/ Film Department Green Room (THEA 101)

WHO: All theatre majors registered for the THR190/290 0 credit Audition Workshop.

WHAT: **FILM Auditioning Workshop** Professor Baker will share some pointers about the difference between Stage and On-Camera Auditions. Students will then go through a mock on-camera audition. Professors Baker, Salganek, and Cook will provide on-the-spot feedback, observable by all students.

  • Students should prepare one SHORT (30-45 second) contemporary monologue (from a play or screenplay) for an on-camera audition. Students will also be asked to cold-read a scene from a film script. Students should bring an acting resume. Actor resume templates are available online here Acting Resume Template  Word format, this document can be used as a template for creating your own resume.
    Once you download the file to your browser, read it online or choose “File”, “Save as” and save to your computer.
  • If you have a headshot, staple your resume to the back of your headshot.

Some pointers:

  • You will be asked to “slate” which is essentially when the actor speaks into the camera and introduces herself and her audition piece or the role for which she is auditioning. Make sure to rehearse this slate. A typical slate would be (looking into the camera…the only time you ever look into the camera!): “Hi my name is ________. My monologue is (name of character) from (name of play/film) by (playwright/ screenwriter)” OR “Hi my name is ____________ and I a reading for the role of ___________.” Then take a moment to gather yourself and begin the piece…don’t ask if we are ready, just begin when you are ready.
  • There will be a “mark” for you to stand on so that you are in frame for the camera.
  • There will be chairs available if you need one for your piece.  Don’t ask if you can use a chair; just get it if you need it and place it where the mark is.
  • What to wear: Wear clothes that you are comfortable in and that are appropriate for your piece, but also honor the formality of an audition (don’t come in sweats!). Avoid crazy-patterned shirts and make sure your hair is not in your face. Women should wear some make-up.
  • Remember that you will be on-camera, so your monologue should not have a lot of big physical movements in it. The camera will be on a mid-shot of you (waist up).
  • Choose a point of focus for your monologue…imagine the person to whom you are speaking to the side of the camera. When you are given a scene to read, the “reader” (actor who is reading the scene with you) will be to the side of the camera. Do not move toward the reader…stay in frame!

Still have questions? Contact Professor Baker (ccbaker@alaska.edu)