As a young theatre artist I want desperately to be noticed. I'll play any part, any way, anywhere (Especially London). I have often told my friends "I'll do anything to get up on that stage even if I have to stand on my head half naked the entire play." Mind you, I can't think of one show that has a part like that, but it's an accurate description of how badly I want to do theatre.
While this passion has not decreased, my approach to getting the part has. For a year and a half I have tried endlessly to be what everyone wants. 16 year old awkward girl? Check. 28 year old sex addict? Check. 23 young, naive, ingenue? You got it! But while I'm talented and can play versatile roles, I was walking into the audition room trying to be what I thought the casting director wanted. I can be awkward, sexy, and naive, but they way I play those things is going to be very different than anyone else or even how the character may be perceived traditionally. The key here is that I approached auditioning wrong. After some soul searching and an amazing class with The Savvy Actor, I discovered I need to go into the room being me as the part. It's remarkable what the change in thinking has done.
When you know what you're selling you are more confident. I walk into the casting room wearing what actor Lys playing "Blah Blah" Character would wear. I read the lines and the part the way I interpret it, and instead of giving them what I think they want, I give them a glimpse of my own thought out character. They could love it, they could hate it, but I leave the audition room knowing that I kicked ass and was different. How freeing it is to leave the room feeling happy and confident in your work and being true to yourself. (Another lesson stolen from the lyricists of Tarzan).
Needless to say I want to share my branding statement with the blogging world and would love any feedback. If you hire me, you will get....
While this passion has not decreased, my approach to getting the part has. For a year and a half I have tried endlessly to be what everyone wants. 16 year old awkward girl? Check. 28 year old sex addict? Check. 23 young, naive, ingenue? You got it! But while I'm talented and can play versatile roles, I was walking into the audition room trying to be what I thought the casting director wanted. I can be awkward, sexy, and naive, but they way I play those things is going to be very different than anyone else or even how the character may be perceived traditionally. The key here is that I approached auditioning wrong. After some soul searching and an amazing class with The Savvy Actor, I discovered I need to go into the room being me as the part. It's remarkable what the change in thinking has done.
When you know what you're selling you are more confident. I walk into the casting room wearing what actor Lys playing "Blah Blah" Character would wear. I read the lines and the part the way I interpret it, and instead of giving them what I think they want, I give them a glimpse of my own thought out character. They could love it, they could hate it, but I leave the audition room knowing that I kicked ass and was different. How freeing it is to leave the room feeling happy and confident in your work and being true to yourself. (Another lesson stolen from the lyricists of Tarzan).
Needless to say I want to share my branding statement with the blogging world and would love any feedback. If you hire me, you will get....
"The Stepsister of Selma Blair, Ellen Page, and Amber Tamblyn"
Advice: Learn a new monologue! Last week I did and practiced it a ton. It'd been so long since I learned one! I was nervous as hell going into the room, but you know what? I'd never been so excited to audition because it was fun, new, exciting, and I was discovering new things as I did it! Despite being exhausting, auditioning can also be fun!
P.S Don't use your yearbook photo as your headshot. Wear a skirt/dress that covers your butt or at least your underwear. Sometimes you get free smoothies from a studio when they make too much...don't take them, they're gross.
