Judy Kain is an actress known for The Odd Couple, The Fosters, Hand Of God & Much More!
Before each audition, it is absolutely essential that you do your actor preparatory work! This includes researching the project for which you are auditioning, making sure all of your audition materials are in order and, perhaps most importantly, breaking down the audition script!
Breaking down the audition script is imperative. It helps you make the imaginary circumstances of the scene more specific so you can bring life to the world of the scene, and to help develop unique characters. And this process can be done into four stages.
Stage 1: READ EVERYTHING…
Make sure you read the entire scene, descriptions and ALL the stage directions… Highlight words or locations you don’t understand and look up their meaning. Get an overall sense of the material.
Now, you can move onto...
Stage 2: Ask Questions
Where does the scene take place?
Is it in my home or is it in public? Am I in a hot location or is it freezing? What time of day is it?
2. Who am I?
How old am I? What do I do for a living? Am I retired? Am I married? How many children do I have? What activities do I enjoy?
3. Who is my partner? (Who am I talking to?)
Am I speaking with my husband or my child? Am I speaking with an estranged relative or my best friend? How do I feel about this person and what experiences have we been through? It’s very important to be as specific as possible.
4. Are there people, or incidents being discussed?
The people and things being discussed may be just as important to your character as the people and things in the physical scene. Have an opinion.
5. What do I want from my partner? And what is my tactic to get it?
Knowing what you want is the most important choice you will make! How would you like them to feel about you? Once you have decided this, you can explore different tactics to get what you want that are appropriate for the scene and the character.
6. What has just happened in the scene?
This is your moment before and brings you into the scene active and engaged and wanting something.
This brings us to…
Stage 3: BREAK THE SCENE INTO BEATS / EXPLORE ACTIONS
A beat is a section of a scene that begins when something changes…
Breaking a scene into beats means breaking it into smaller bits.
When exploring each beat, ask yourself, “How do your actions change?”
Meaning....what tactics are you using to get what you need and to overcome the obstacles to that need?
A beat ends when you lose, win (based on your need) or are interrupted.
Once you have read everything, asked questions and broken down beats, you can move onto…
Stage 4: Personalize The Script
It is one thing to understand the script on an intellectual level, but us actors need to go above and beyond analysis. Make sure that you personalize the script. Cast the characters in the scene with real people from your life. Choose personal memories that made you feel similar to how your character feels in the scene. Substituting characters, situations and feelings with your own personal experiences will contribute to you being more fully immersed in the scene. It will also help you respond naturally to the reader with whom you are auditioning.
I KNOW,
Breaking down a scene is a lot to digest, but if done properly, it will help set you apart at the audition. Casting will recognize you as a hard working person with the ability to make specific choices and a knack for nuance. I also believe that the more preparatory work you do, the more confident you will be. Confident in your lines, confident in your choices and confident in yourself.
Booking The Theatrical Audition Starts This September! Learn more on the Keep It Real Acting Studios Website!
So, make sure you read your script, ask yourself questions, break down the beats of the scene and personalize the script. It may be a lot of work, but it will make the payoff of a job well done and booking the job so much more rewarding!
About the Author: Judy Kain is an actress, author, acting teacher, and podcast host. Her acting studio, Keep It Real Acting Studios offers online Commercial, Business, Branding and Theatrical Classes for actors of all levels. Judy teaches a class called Booking The Theatrical Audition, which helps actors develop the tools and techniques that book film and television jobs.