Why The Words Don't Matter

Here's something that may surprise you. I know that when you're going to audition, you find that hopefully perfect monologue.

You memorize it. You get out there on stage. You give it your best.

Guess what?

We casting directors, we're not listening to what you're saying.

What? That's crazy! I know, I know. But listen to me: This should be very reassuring.

What we're listening to is how you're saying it:

Are you engaged?

Are you focused?

Are you using your whole body to tell this?

Are we seeing a character who really needs what they need?

But the particular words? You're going to get weeks to memorize all the dialogue in the play, if you're in it. And so that's not an issue.

An audition is not a demonstration that you can remember words.

No, an auditioner is not going to worry about if you stumble over some words or leave some out.

Now, if you're doing a famous famous speech, you know, "To be or not to be..." or Lady Macbeth's... you know, stuff that everybody knows, then they're going to notice if you leave stuff out.

But you don't want to do a monologue that's overdone, anyway.

So be reassured that if you jump over a section, if you jump around, if you drop some words, if you adjust some words, if you don't apologize when you realize you've made a mistake, just stay in the moment!...You're going to be fine.

We are not listening to what you're saying. We're watching and hearing how important, how focused, how clearly you're communicating with your body and voice up on stage, whatever it is you might be saying. So, relax a little.

Yes, of course memorize the piece, but don't beat yourself up if it's not presented perfectly as memorized.

Focus on your objective, getting what you want.

That will make for a more successful audition.