TheActorsProcess: Audition Monologues: The Dreaded Interview

You've just walked in and suddenly everything is awkward. Is this a social interaction? A professional interaction? How are you supposed to handle this? How do you impress them? What do they want you to do?

If these questions are rattling around in your head, I can guarantee you that you won't make much of an impression. In fact you run the risk of losing them before you even get to your monologue. Remember it's all about access. If they don't have access to you during the interview, they're not going to be receptive to your monologue.

Several actors I've worked with here in Chicago have migrated to Los Angeles. Unlike Chicago, a common way to audition actors in L.A. is to simply interview them. No monologue. No cold read. Just, “Hey, let's chat.”

The first time you encounter this, it can be very disconcerting. Even an unquestionably talented actor can be blindsided by the interview being the entire audition. That was the case with an actor that I've worked with extensively. He is a very good actor indeed, but when he first arrived in L.A. he found the “interview as audition” disorienting. He could bring his acting talent into the room. He didn't quite know how to bring himself into the room.

So here's the simple breakdown on handling the interview. First of all do what I suggested in the last post. Before you enter, mentally contact the people in the audition room. Once in the room sustain that contact by mentally inviting them to “look at me”, then give your complete attention to them. This will keep you from becoming self-conscious. A self-conscious person denies access and is not open to interaction.

Very important. Let them conduct the interview. All you have to do is kick back and let them do the work. Don't feel that you have to impress with what you say. Let the verbal interaction go where they take it, If there are more than a few brief exchanges make sure to abide by the improv rule of “Yes, and”. In improv the idea is to avoid saying “no” to situations that pop up. “Yes, and” keeps the possibilities of the interactions open. Whatever is said will be more likely to sustain the interaction.

If you have any unanswered questions about the procedure they'd like you to follow when performing you're monologues, now is the time to ask. The main thing to find out is where they want you to look. I'll run down the variations on this in my next post.