1) If you want something, go big or go home. When it really comes down to it, a director isn’t going to be impressed by an actor who isn’t willing to lose himself in a character. If you want a role, it may mean speaking in a squeaky voice (girls) or acting like a total idiot (guys… well, everyone really) to get it. In life, there are going to be things you want with a fiery burning passion- a job, a promotion, your in-laws to like you- the list goes on for miles. So, if you want it, work to get it. If they don’t see you work for it, they probably won’t feel like you deserve it.
2) Be prepared- really prepared. You can’t take things for granted. Don’t assume that there will be hairspray or eyeliner in a dressing room that you can use. Be prepared for your director to ask you to do things that you may be uncomfortable with. How does this apply to non-actors? Well, you may be put in a project group with people you don’t particularly like. Or you could end up on the side of a road with a flat without the knowledge or equipment to fix it. Or you may be the sorry soul in charge of telling people that they’ve just been laid off one day. You never know, so be ready.
3) Don’t do anything you aren’t trained to do. If you don’t know how to “fight” someone without hurting them, don’t. You could seriously harm them. If you don’t know to operate the fly rail, the light and sound boards, or the power tools in the shop, don’t. You may hurt yourself, someone else, or ruin a project. If you aren’t on the costume or props crews, don’t handle another person’s costumes or props. They may never find it again. Off stage? Basically, don’t be an idiot. Don’t try to learn how to change a flat from a book on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Don’t try to mix ammonia and bleach while cleaning your bathroom- as it turns out, that makes poisonous mustard gas. And when stunt men say at the beginning of a TV show “Don’t try this at home”, don’t try it at home. Please?
4) Realize that almost all things a character can go through in a show can happen to a real person. Sure, some of it may seem like nonsense, but it’s all relatable. Don’t believe me? Challenge accepted. Have you ever been made fun of for what you believe? Horton the elephant from Seussical has. Not a big fan of Shakespeare? Neither is Vivian Bearing, PhD. from Wit. Do you have a friend that never stops joking around? Your friend may be a lot like Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet. Do your parents frown upon your friends? Jack (the one with the beanstalk) from Into The Woods had only one friend who just so happened to be a cow. See? Strange, yes, but true.
5) Everything is an audition. Everything. Every. Thing. Is an audition. The way you introduce yourself, the way you behave from then on, your resume. Everything. Even the way you dress when you come to auditions. Hey, even how you act on a day-to-day basis is an audition. You never know when you’re going to run in to a future director or casting agent. For people who are not necessarily friends of the stage, this could be, but is not limited to: your future boss, wife/husband, people with short tempers who may jump you if you’re a jerk, and God in disguise like those stories you used to get in chain emails. So be polite, open doors, but don’t be afraid to voice your informed opinion- it all goes a long way.
