Feeling nervous about an audition?
Call it excitement in another outfit. Let's get you ready.
For a lot of prospective students, an audition is the one thing standing between them and the course they've been dreaming about, and that can be a lot of pressure. It's completely normal to feel nervous. What matters more than nailing every note or hitting every mark is showing up and ‘being prepared to play and discover in an audition’, according to Ben Samuel, Head of Acting & Music Theatre Department here at JMC Academy (Melbourne).
Why We Run Audition Workshops
The nerves surrounding auditions are exactly why we run workshops. They're a chance to walk through what to expect, ask questions you might feel silly asking otherwise, and get a feel for the process from people who've been on the other side of that table. You'll leave with a clearer idea of what we're actually looking for, and a bit more confidence in yourself before you step in front of us for real.
Advice From Our Department Heads
Preparation is where every good audition starts. As Ben puts it:
‘An actor can prepare for auditions by learning the text inside out, then being open to responding to direction.’
Will Day, our Head of Music Department, Brisbane Campus says:
‘To give yourself the best chance of having a great audition, be completely prepared for everything within your control. Make sure your audition pieces are thoroughly rehearsed and learned by heart, arrive on time, dress appropriately and be properly warmed up. Taking care of these things can be what turns a good audition into a great one.’
It’s Not About Being Perfect
The audition room is a chance to experiment. That wacky last-minute note change, that unplanned pause, that silly side-eye you didn't rehearse; any of it might be exactly what gets you the spot. Auditions aren't about being perfect. They're about showing us how you embody something, whether that's the way you make a character your own, or the song you sang that conveyed a feeling that was uniquely yours.
If you want a chance to practice exactly that before the real thing, our Audition and Portfolio Masterclasses this October are purpose-built for it. You'll get genuine feedback, work directly with our department heads, and get a unique feel for what an audition room is like, before you ever have to step into one for real.
