Auditions Without Fear!

We all know auditions can be terrifying!  Fear of auditioning can deter kids who would like to participate in a show from joining your production.  Here's the process I use to make sure auditions for young actors are as nonthreatening as possible while providing the information I need to cast a show.
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STEPS:

1. As a group, read through the show's script or a few scenes.
2. Choose a short, expressive, easy-to-remember line and read it aloud, then ask the group to repeat it once or twice.
3. Ask, “Would anyone like to say that line by themselves?”
4. Listen as they volunteer, giving positive comments to each.
5. After a few students have said the line, begin asking volunteers, “Could you say that line differently?” (from the previous child)
6. Look for students who have not volunteered and ask reticent students directly, “Would you like to give it a try?”
7. ​Choose a new line by a different character and repeat the process

WHY THIS WORKS

• It is nonthreatening and communal.
• Students receive immediate feedback.
• Students learn from each other how to speak expressively.
• It lessens the pressure for students who don’t read well but can speak expressively.
• Students themselves can hear who performed well, so that when the cast list is posted, it will be clearer why the director made those choices.

ASSESS THE RISKS
I also recommend assessing each student's risk level.  For example, for our new show, Souper Hero Rescue in Hot Springs, students filled out the form below:

Once students know that auditions are actually FUN, you will have bigger casts and happier kids!  Everybody wins.