Be Prepared Be Professional 

 

Parents: When you first start bringing your child to auditions, it can be hard to know exactly how everything works and what’s expected of you. You want to do all you can to make the opportunity as successful as possible for your child, while also following the etiquette of a casting director’s space. You don’t want to do anything that will hurt your child’s chances of getting a role, but you also don’t want to feel uncomfortable with what needs to be done or how to go about doing it. Here are some audition tips for novice parents and some refreshers for parents who have previous audition experience.

 

​

Please let the Audition Team do their job. There may be a large number of young people auditioning and everyone needs the personal attention of our organisers. Listening at the door to eavesdrop on the session, asking questions about your child’s performance when they leave the room, or bombarding the audition team or casting director with questions about how it went after the audition are all huge red flags for Casting. Asking for details about exactly what Casting is looking for, tips to give your child the edge once they’re in the room, or feedback on how other auditions have gone so far that day are not okay. Asking the Casting Assistant where the sign-in sheet is, clarifying which copy you’ll be needing for a cold read, or double-checking that you have everything you need when you get there however are totally fine. 

​

Don’t put too much pressure on your child.
Because that is when this stops being fun and becomes a chore. Let time and experience be your biggest ally, because the more you do, the more you learn. As you’re running lines before you go inside, critiquing your child’s rehearsal, or any other negativity will be noticed, even if you think you’re doing so nonchalantly. Please don't add to your child's anxiety. Auditions however well organised may be a little stressful for some young artists. The most successful auditionees are the ones who clearly want to be doing what they are doing, and are excited to be auditioning. They are not the ones whose parents seem too forceful, please try to relax

 

Be On Time!
Please be on time, well prepared, and ready to go as soon as you arrive. You and your child should both be as professional as possible. Remember that your behavior reflects upon both you and your child. Being friendly, chatting with people casually, and going through lines with your child are all great. Commenting on the script, the way the audition is being run, other children you see in the waiting room, are all not acceptable and will bring discomfort for others. Please leave these conversations for the car journey home.

 

Don’t be impatient.
This is just one audition. Your child will have plenty of chances in the future to find the perfect role, and today may or may not be that day. Every audition is a learning experience and a chance to prepare for the next one. Take this for what it is: a one-time opportunity that may work out, or may be something you never hear about again.

 

Be Prepared. There are a lot of components to having a great audition and getting the role, but one of the most important is being prepared and informed! Make sure you've read the breakdown and any information from regarding character descriptions, rehearsal and performance/shoot dates etc. If you know you can't be available for whole chunks of the project, do not accept the audition. It's better to be upfront than to waste people's time. Make sure your child has all the appropriate items they'll need for their audition, including any sides, sheet music (in a binder!), a water bottle, dance clothes or shoes, headshots and resumes (stapled!), and perhaps a book or headphones to keep them occupied and calm while waiting.

​

Self-Care and Kindness. Auditions can be disappointing, especially for young people who are already going through the challenges of growing up! You're going to get far more "no's" than "yes's" when auditioning, and many times auditionees miss out on roles because of things they can't control, like their height, how old they look, etc.

 

Casting. Can be the most difficult and challenging part of the process. It is important to encourage young people to embrace whatever role they get. If they have not been given their coveted role, it is sometimes not immediately evident to a young performer that the potential the role they have been given has for them. Every young artist cannot play the same role. When we cast a show, we use several criteria to determine the role they eventually receive. The child’s experience and confidence level. The child’s ability to perform the part (reading lines, singing, acting etc.) The 'FIT': Does the child fit the needs of the role, as the Productions see it. 

 

Satisfying the requirements of the production. As we consider these variables, there are no steadfast rules in the casting process.  We must make judgment calls to satisfy the requirements of the production.  As parents, you have an important role in this process. Please reinforce to your child the importance of every role, and the satisfaction that comes with participating in the production process. If your child is disappointed, it is important that you listen, be compassionate, and continue to reinforce the value of the role they receive. It is natural for parents to feel disappointment for their children. However, please do not instigate frustration and disappointment in your child. Please demonstrate to your child that acknowledging the successes of others does not take away from their own success.

 

We ask parents and young people to respect the entire process. 

​

​