Remember to make Bold Choices at the Audition

I had an audition last night at OnStage Atlanta for Doubt. I thought I read well, the monologues and a scene with the actress playing Sister Aloysius. It was not until later and thinking about my choices, that I realized my reading was not done so well after all.

During the audition, the actor needs to make the boldest choice possible for the character even if it may be wrong. Scripts are only interesting because the characters have made choices, known and unknown to the reader/viewer, which makes the play interesting. So the actor needs to make that character interesting to the director, casting director, etc, by making bold choices.

Believe it or not, I have not seen Doubt, movie or play, so I don’t know the story. When I read the scene with Sister Aloysius, I played Father Flynn as being innocent and trying to convince Sister Aloysius I was innocent. How very uninteresting. The bold choice was to play Father Flynn as being guilty and trying to convince Sister Aloysius of my innocents. That is interesting. That makes someone want to see the play. That will make the character you create interesting enough for the director, etc, to take notice.

Directors, Casting Directors, etc, would much rather see you create a very interesting character than you playing a dull one. They want to see what you can do with minimal information in just a few lines. Who cares if you know all the facts. You need to create something interesting; that grabs people’s attention. The real character will be created during rehearsal. But you can’t get to the rehearsal if you don’t make those bold choices during the audition.

But wait: Why does that make the character more interesting? The lines are the same. And you are not going to betray your guilt to the other character. So, what gives?

It gives you more for your character to fight for; more too loose. It will up the stakes within the scene and increase the energy. Every moment within a play is the character’s struggle to get what he wants from the other person. And the more that is at risk, the more the character will fight.

So don’t make the easy choices, make the bold ones.

Audition Notice: Two Shows at OnStage Atlanta

OnStage Atlanta is holding open Auditions for two shows: 1. The Pulitzer Prize winning drama Doubt by John Patrick Shanley and 2. Crimes Against Humanity, a world premiere, dark comedy, social satire by local playwright, Michael Henry Harris.

DOUBT is part of OnStage Atlanta’s regular season running from May 11th- June 2nd in our Studio Stage. Actors cast in Doubt will receive a stipend.

CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY is OnStage Atlanta’s entry in the inaugural Atlanta Fringe Festival. It runs for 5 performances, May 9th-13th, in a Fringe Festival venue.

Both shows are under the direction of David Klein. Each will rehearse on a light to moderate, partial week rehearsal schedule beginning the last week of February until their openings in May.

Auditions for for DOUBT will be held 6:00-10:00 on Monday, Feb 20th at Onstage Atlanta with Call backs on the 22nd and will be cold readings from the script.

Available Roles:
Father Brendan Flynn-30s-40.
Sister James – 20s
Mrs. Muller—African American, 30s-40.
**NOTE- The role of Sister Aloysius is filled.

Auditions for CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY will be held 6:00- 10:00 on Tuesday, Feb 21st at Onstage Atlanta with call backs on the 22nd and will be cold readings from the script.

Available Roles:

Tim Tim: 30’s – 60’s. The Boss. A force of good and evil. Menacing. Terrifying. Charming. Former failed comedian.
Michel: Twenties, Thirties. French. Handsome. Dark.
Ernie: could played by a man or woman. 20’s, 30’s, 40’s. Tough. A prisoner and mentor for the Guilty One.

Auditions are by appointment only and will consist of cold readings from the plays.

Please contact the Stage Manager, Kristen Hunsicker to schedule an audition slot at 678-495-7427 or kristen.hunsicker@gmail.com

OnStage is located in Suburban Plaza: 2597 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30030

Audition Notice: Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Onstage Atlanta will hold non-equity auditions for Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf on Saturday June 24, 12 pm. – 3 pm. Cold readings from the script. Please bring a head shot and resume. A stipend will be paid. Call 404-897-1802 for an audition appointment. Auditioning for the roles of Nick and Honey only. Tom Palmer will direct the show.

My friend Mark Grey is the lead in this one.

Audition Notice: K2

Onstage Atlanta announces auditions for K2. Auditions will be held May 20 from 1pm until 4pm. Casting 2 men ages 25 through 35. Auditions will be cold readings from the script. Rehearsals will include some physical training and rock climbing. Contact Barry West to schedule an audition appointment at 404-897-1802. Stipend offered.