Most actors believe their audition begins when they sing or start their monologue.

It doesn’t.

Your audition begins the moment you walk into the building—long before you’re giving your slate.

Casting teams are not just casting talent. They’re casting people.

And people are evaluated through behavior, awareness, communication, and professionalism just as much as performance.

Your Audition Starts Before the Audition Room

From the second you arrive, you are being observed—often by people you may not realize are part of the process.

This includes:

• The person checking you in

• The door monitor

• The accompanist

• Other staff members in the hallway or waiting room

  
  

How you treat everyone in the building matters.

Actors who are kind, patient, and respectful stand out immediately—not because it’s flashy, but because it’s surprisingly rare under pressure.

Professionalism travels fast.

Kindness Is a Competitive Advantage

In an industry flooded with talent, kindness is one of the easiest ways to separate yourself from the pack.

This doesn’t mean being overly chatty or performative. It means:

• Saying thank you

• Acknowledging people by making eye contact

• Being patient when things run behind

• Treating fellow auditioners with respect

  
  

Casting teams remember actors who create a calm, respectful energy around them. That kind of presence signals what it would be like to work with you on a long rehearsal process—or a stressful tech week.

Treat the Casting Team Like Humans (Because They Are)

It’s easy to put casting teams on a pedestal, especially when nerves are high. But doing so often creates awkward, tense interactions before you’ve even started your material.

Instead:

• Walk into the room confidently

• Make eye contact

• Greet everyone immediately

  
  

A simple, genuine greeting establishes a human connection and releases tension—for you and for them.

Avoid:

• Walking silently to center before acknowledging anyone

• Over-apologizing

• Over-explaining

  
  

Confidence doesn’t mean arrogance. It means ease.

Communicating Clearly with the Accompanist

Your interaction with the accompanist is part of the audition.

Before you sing:

• Clearly explain your cut

• Point out any jumps or pickups

• Communicate tempo by humming or singing a brief section

  
  

Never snap the tempo. Never assume they know exactly how you want it taken.

Once you’re aligned:

• Thank them

• Move to slate

• Give a clear nod or look to cue the start

  
  

This moment tells the room a lot about how prepared—and respectful—you are.

The Slate Matters More Than You Think

The slate is often the first thing casting teams hear from you, yet many actors treat it like an afterthought.

Your slate should be:

• Confident

• Clear

• Practiced

  
  

You should know:

• Your titles

• The shows they come from

• The composers or writers

  
  

A strong slate communicates:

• Preparation

• Calm under pressure

• Professional awareness

  
  

Stumbling through it sends the opposite message—before you’ve even begun performing.

Small Habits Reveal Big Experience Gaps

Casting teams can often spot beginner habits within seconds.

Common ones include:

• Excessive movement or pacing

• Wringing hands

• Side-stepping

• Closing your eyes

• Overly “performed” gestures

  
  

Stillness is powerful.

Actors who can stand grounded and present immediately command attention. This doesn’t mean being rigid—it means eliminating unnecessary movement so the focus stays on your work.

Use the Space with Intention

Most audition rooms allow flexibility, and using the space thoughtfully can immediately differentiate you.

Options include:

• Standing slightly off-center instead of dead center

• Moving only when motivated by the material

• Sitting or changing levels if it serves the scene

  
  

What matters is intention, not activity.

Movement without purpose distracts.Movement driven by character deepens the moment.

Choose a Partner—Just Not Anyone in the Room

Every piece of material has a partner, even if that partner isn’t physically present.

Your partner might be:

• Another character

• A group

• A memory

• God

• The audience

  
  

Choose a specific place in the room to put them—and keep it consistent.

One rule that matters deeply: Do not make your scene partner someone behind the table.

It makes casting teams uncomfortable and breaks the professional boundary of the room.

End the Audition with Gratitude

Once your audition is complete:

• Ask any necessary questions briefly and professionally

• Thank everyone in the room

• Always thank the accompanist

  
  

Even if the accompaniment wasn’t ideal. Even if you’re frustrated.

Grace under pressure is unforgettable.

Casting teams may not remember every audition—but they remember how actors made the room feel.

Talent gets you in the door. Professionalism keeps you in the conversation.

When you show up prepared, grounded, kind, and aware, you’re no longer just another audition.

You’re someone they want to work with.