How to Prepare for an Audition Easily (2024)

Note: If you're trying to find auditions (rather than prepare from them), visit this page: How to Find Auditions: The Ultimate Guide.


Too many "experts" in this industry recommend over-preparing for auditions – reading and re-reading entire scripts, doing deep character research, working out every single beat for every single line, etc.

But what if you don't enjoy all that or have time for it? I believe forcing yourself to do it anyway is one of the fastest ways to burnout and overwhelm.

That's why if you're in this for the long haul, I think you should look for shortcuts on how to prepare for an audition to save time AND improve your chances of landing the role. That's what this guide is all about.

How to Prepare for an Audition

​​First, What Do Casting Directors Look for in Auditions?

In order to prepare properly, it's useful to know what casting directors do and do not care about. For instance, they don't care whether you make the correct choice on how to play the character – instead, they just care that you make a choice.

And most don't care about how many big credits are on your resume, especially if you're not auditioning for the lead role in a major production.

Number one on the list of what they do care about is an actor who naturally fits the character they’re auditioning for - both in personality and physical appearance. Beyond that, they look for nine key personality traits:

1. Make it easy: Casting directors want someone who makes it easy to be hired. Make it easy for them to audition you by showing up on time, being friendly, and showing that you're interested. Be sure to ALWAYS show up 5-10 minutes early. If you arrive earlier than that, you can wait outside.
2. Be yourself: Casting directors can always tell if you're putting on a fake personality to try to make them like you more. Just be yourself and be honest about whether you’re right for a certain role or not. There's no point wasting your time submitting and auditioning for every role and every project. Remember the quote: “He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away." Focus only on auditions that fit your Type and you'll find your bookings go WAY up.​ Not sure of your Type? Click here.
3. Experience: They want someone who knows a lot about the specific brand/type they are being hired to play. They also like someone who is experienced on set and has a track record of working well with people. Having nothing on your resume could say you're inexperienced, and this can sometimes worry a casting director (but not always).
4. Friendly: They want someone who’s nice and seems easy to work with. No one wants to work with a jerk and even if you’re super talented, being unfriendly can cost you the job over someone else who is more friendly. We’ve all heard stories about actors being divas on set, and no one wants that.
5. Availability: You want to be sure you’re available for auditions and can respond quickly to the casting director's needs. Being punctual and professional is crucial. You can never respond too fast to a casting call. Casting directors have told me they don't think actors appear "needy" or "desperate" if they respond too quickly. In fact, that's what they WANT from the actors they hire – the faster you respond the better!
6. Provide added value: Casting directors want someone who is able to provide them even more value than they were expecting. If you have additional skills or personality traits that could be an asset to the project (such as experience producing, lots of connections in the industry, access to special locations, a large social following that could turn into an audience for the film, etc.), they are often interested in knowing about them. Related: Learn how to network with casting directors easily by clicking here.
7. Care about the role and project: They want someone who really cares about the project and can explain why they want the job. They don't want you in a project if it's just for the money or exposure, because it means you won't do your best work. You have to really want it for emotional reasons to be brought on.
8. Honest, reliable, and responsible: They care about people who are honest and willing to be vulnerable. If you make a mistake and don't own up to it and apologize, but blame others, they will not hire you. This is why if you ever show up to an audition late, simply apologize and tell them it was completely your fault. Avoid giving them an excuse.
9. Emotionally stable: Whenever I work as a casting director, I want to be sure that you're easy to work with. I've had actors in the past who were on an emotional rollercoaster, and it led to inappropriate outbursts on set and fights between cast and crew, which was bad for the production as a whole. Most casting directors want someone who is generally cool, collected, calm, and rolls with the punches.

I highly recommend watching the short video below before reading the rest of this guide:

How to Prepare for an Audition... By Practicing?

To become good at anything, you need to practice. And if you're not getting many auditions right now, the best way to practice is by pretending to audition!

Sounds strange, but it works. You can actually practice auditioning without really auditioning.

When you're rehearsing for the actual audition, close your eyes and imagine doing it in an audition room, standing at your mark on the floor, with a camera rolling and some people sitting at a table watching you.

Ideally, you should actually set up a real camera and lights so you get used to being on tape. You can and should watch the footage afterwards to see how you did and use it to make adjustments to get better.​

So How Do You Prepare for an Acting Audition?

In this section, I'll outline some key steps to take to prepare for an audition, but I'll also outline some commonly recommended steps I do NOT suggest you take.

​Here's how to prepare for an audition:

1. Look up where the audition is. If the audition is in an unsafe neighborhood, you might want to ask a friend to come along. It will also allow you to plan ahead for traffic/transport so you arrive early in case you need to use the bathroom, fill out forms, or do some warmups.
2. Get a copy of the sides, PLUS a copy of the whole script if it's available. You'll need the lines you're going to do, but it's also beneficial to have the entire script to at least skim through so you know the backstory of the character. For most screen acting auditions, the full script will be unavailable, but for most theatrical auditions, you can get the script by searching online if it's for a well-known play. If you're auditioning for a television show, be sure to watch at least 1-2 previous episodes so you understand what the show is about and its tone. Casting directors ALWAYS expect you to have reviewed any available material before the audition, and not doing so will make you look unprepared. If you don't have time to read the entire script, you can skim it or at least download the summary.
   1. Don't watch the film or see the play. It's much better to read the script since it's devoid of directorial choices and won't impact your performance.
3. When reading the full script, make note of 1-2 specific things you really like. Having a few prepared points to talk about during the audition will show them you did your homework. They will inevitably ask you about the script just to see whether you've read it, and not having answers is highly embarrassing. Plus, when you talk about specific things you liked, it shows the casting director you're excited for the production!
4. Do your best to memorize your lines. Needing to constantly look down at the sides not only says you're less prepared than the actors who have it memorized, but it also impacts your performance in a negative way. Memorize your lines as best you can, even if the casting notice says memorization is not required. To test how well you know the lines, try performing while doing another task, like washing your dishes or folding laundry. If you stumble, you know you need to keep working on it. Here's my Ultimate Guide to Memorizing Lines.
5. Understand what's happening in the scene fully. This means you should look up concepts and words you're unfamiliar with, and if names of people or events in history are mentioned, you should look them up online to just get a basic understanding of what it is. Not knowing the meaning of what's coming out of your mouth is a surefire way to tell casting directors you didn't put in much effort and therefore don't take their project seriously.
6. Make clear choices for each line in the scene. Read through the script and constantly ask "why?" for every line. Make sure it's clear why you're character is saying each line, and if something is not obvious, make up a reason and then stick to it. Then, you should try performing in front of a camera a few times. Watch your performance back and ask yourself, "Why did I say the line that way?" If you don't have a realistic answer, either change the way you say the line or make up a clear reason. Not making clear choices throughout the scene is one of the biggest reasons actors don't book the jobs they audition for.
   1. An important note for theatrical auditions: Remember that the choices you make are dependent upon having read the full script. If you don't read the script, you might make the wrong choice, and it will be clear to the casting director that you didn't read or understand the production.
   2. If you use Meisner Technique, it can still be beneficial to make preliminary choices on why the character is saying each line (not how they're saying it).
7. Print and bring your sides, resume, and headshot. Even if you have the lines perfectly memorized, you should always have your sides in your hand during the audition because if you don't, the casting director will start worrying about you. Regardless of whether you're perfectly off book (fully memorized), casting directors can't help but start to think, "Why don't they have their sides? What if they forget their lines?" And these thoughts will cloud them from focusing on your performance, and they'll be less likely to bring you in for a callback, even if you perform perfectly. Always keep your sides in hand, just out of respect for the casting director. You should also have extra copies of your headshot and resume in case you're asked. Be sure the headshot you bring is the same one you originally submitted.
8. Read all the instructions. Sometimes you're sent additional information beyond the sides or script. You should always read through all of this just to be sure you don't miss any important details! They might ask you to bring something specific to the audition, and it might be buried down at the bottom. If you don't bring it, you're toast!

​
Here are a few additional prep steps to consider if you have extra time, but they are certainly not required:

1. Watch inspirational clips of great acting. Sometimes watching amazing acting can inspire and excite you to perform well in an audition, so save some of your favorite clips as shortcuts on your computer so you can open them before you head off to the audition, so you get inspired and amped up to perform your best.
2. Try listening to instrumental music while performing your lines. It can help you memorize your lines more quickly and also gets rid of any emotional tones you've applied to your lines, which frees you up to give a more natural performance in the audition.
3. Move! Go for a jog, stretch, or do some jumping jacks to get the blood flowing and give you some extra energy to perform your best in the audition. Moving can also help ease some of the nerves that might creep in at the last minute. Try to avoid doing this in the waiting room for the audition though, as it's a bit unprofessional. It's much better to do it outside or in the bathroom where people won't be watching.
4. Do a bit of googling on the director or casting director. Knowing their past work can give you something to talk about in the audition, which will show that you not only care about them and their production, but that you go above and beyond most actors. It's an easy way to stand out and can even help ease your nerves since you'll know a bit more about the people you're going to meet.
5. Do a mock audition in front of family or friends. If you can get 2-3 people together to watch you perform, it can help ease your nerves by being used to performing in front of other people. You can also ask them for some direction so you get used to trying it a different way. This will help you be more flexible in the audition room!
6. Try to get at least 7.5 hours of sleep the night before. The extra sleep can do wonders for helping you feel confident and ready on the day-of. Plus, it will help ensure your mind is sharp so you don't forget your lines. You might also want to try some bulletproof coffee in the morning as well!

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• A little-known Google hack to find people who look like you and discover what their Types are
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​What Should You NOT Do Before an Audition?

​Now that you know what to do, here are some things NOT to do before an audition:

1. Don't over-prepare. Spending countless hours researching, creating an entire world for the character, reading and re-reading the full-length script, and endlessly prepping is a surefire way to burn you out and make auditioning less enjoyable. The actors who audition best LOVE auditioning. If it feels like a chore, you'll start avoiding auditions and stressing out unnecessarily over them. You can safely ignore advice that tells you to read and reread everything. Sure it can help, but at the end of the day, if it's getting in the way of you going to auditions consistently, it's not worth it.
2. Don't improvise your lines. Some people recommend going off-book when rehearsing, but I generally discourage it. It can confuse you and if you don't stick to your lines exactly as they're written in the audition (unless otherwise instructed), you'll annoy the casting director. Sticking to the lines word for word is critical in auditions!
3. Don't try to make the right choice. Unless you have access to the complete script and know all the details surrounding the audition sides, you should just make whatever choices you think make sense. Don't worry about playing the character as you think the casting director would want. It's easier and better to play the character as if you yourself were the one in the scene. How would you respond? Don't worry about how the character would respond unless you have the exact information to figure that out. If you make the wrong choice, the casting director will give you direction in the audition and simply ask you to do it again.
4. Don't think debilitating thoughts. Don't think about how much money you could make, how much confidence you could get, or how good you'll look in front of your friends/peers if you get booked. Of course, avoiding those thoughts is easier said than done, but I have a unique shortcut you can use to easily push those thoughts away, and I call it "focusing on your Pride Words.​" Read this article to learn how to get WAY more focused and ease audition nerves quickly by focusing on your Pride Words.
5. Avoid dairy, coffee, or spicy foods for at least 2 hours beforehand. These types of foods can affect your voice, which can be slightly problematic for regular auditions, and especially problematic for musicals if you'll be singing.

What to Wear to an Audition

Should you wear the costume exactly as you think the character would? Are there certain colors that work better? In this section, we'll go over exactly what you should wear at your next audition.

It's usually safest to wear something that hints at the character but isn't what the character would wear exactly. But who says you need to play it safe? Oftentimes actors who make bold choices stand out, and if the worst that can happen is them not selecting you, I usually recommend making a bold choice.

If you have the exact outfit you think the character would wear, there is no major reason not to wear it. You're generally not going to offend the casting director – in fact many enjoy a little dress-up by the actors they see.

It can also be a conversation started – you can joke by saying, "Normally I come to auditions dressed in a way to just hint at the character, but today I decided to have some fun. I hope that's OK!"

The casting director will laugh, and they'll probably remember you.

Now of course, if you don't have the exact costume or want to play it safe, you should hint at the character by wearing something more professional or more casual depending on how that type of character would usually dress.

For instance, if you're auditioning for a police officer role, wearing dress pants and a dress shirt would be better than wearing jeans and a t-shirt. On the other hand, if you're auditioning for a gang member, you might want to wear darker colors and a hoody – don't show up wearing a suit!

That being said, here are a few general tips for clothing on how to prepare for an audition:

• Avoid wearing flat white or black. Colors or gray tones are look better under bright lights than white or black, and if they're taping your audition, those colors show up better on camera.
• Stick to solid colors. Patterns are distracting and also don't show up well on camera.
• Avoid jewelry if possible because it can draw attention away from your performance.
• Cover up any tattoos with your clothes so the casting director doesn't notice them (unless you think they'll add to the character).
• Make sure to wear clothes that fit well, unless the character would wear really baggy clothes.
• Wear closed-toe shoes that are comfortable. Flip flops are unprofessional and since you might have to stand in line for a while, where something comfortable.
• What is the best color to wear to an audition? The best colors are rich, dark colors that don't draw too much attention to themselves. Avoid hot tones like orange, red, and yellow because they're too bright and difficult to look at. It's much better to stick to cooler tones like blue, gray, purple, brown, and green.
• Show up exactly the way you look in the headshot you submitted. This is a critical point most actors miss – make sure your hairstyle and makeup are as close as possible to the headshot you originally sent in. If you show up looking different, you'll almost never be chosen. They invited you to the audition because they loved the way you looked in your headshot!

Want to go deeper on what to wear? Check out our free guide: What to Wear on Camera: The Ultimate Guide

​What Should I Expect From My First Audition?

Here are a few final things to keep in mind as you get ready for your first audition:

1. Almost every other actor there will look like you. The casting director picked you for a reason – they have a specific look in mind that they want for the character, so all the other actors there will probably look just like that vision too! Don't get intimidated. Just remember that no one has your personality or brand.
2. Don't worry if you don't have an agent. Most actors don't, and the fact that you got to the audition room without one means that this particular casting director doesn't care that you have no agent, so no sweat! Want to learn how to get an agent? Read this.
3. They will probably ask you questions about yourself and your availability. Don't feel intimidated if they ask about who you are as a person or what you like to do, or even why you're interested in the role. Just answer honestly. They usually ask because they want to know whether you did any research in advance.
4. You'll need to check in and be ready for the audition at any time. Sometimes you might have to wait for a few hours, other times they'll see you right away. But be sure to check in upon arrival so they know you're there.
5. Keep in mind that there are usually 3-5 people in the audition room. The casting director, the camera operator, the reader (person who will be reading your opposing lines), the director (sometimes), and the producer (sometimes). Want to learn more key industry terms? Check out this page.
6. Know that sometimes they might hand you an entirely new script if they see you perform and feel you could be a better fit as a different character. If that's the case, don't panic, just do your best. This is called a "cold read" and they know you didn't prep those new lines in advance, so they're typically more lenient!
7. Remember that the audition could take way longer than expected. Make sure your schedule is clear so you're not stressing about being late to another appointment.
8. Expect to be given notes and asked to do it a different way. This is common and means they're interested in you. They want you to do an amazing job so they can hire you for the part! The reason they might give you notes is simply to see how you take direction (not to insinuate that you made the wrong choice).​
9. Don't expect a decision right away. Sometimes it can take a couple weeks to hear back after your audition. It's generally not a good idea to follow up more than once about a week after the audition if you haven't heard back. Too many followups are considered annoying and unprofessional.
10. After the audition, move on. Get together with a friend or watch a movie, or start practicing for your next audition. What's done is done, and if you replay the audition too many times in your head it can cause stress and overwhelm, which will make you resent the process and start avoiding auditions altogether.​

​In Summary

Many so-called "experts" in this industry recommend over-preparing and trying to do things perfectly for every audition. But the problem with that is it can cause you to start dreading auditions.

I like to take a different approach. I call it thinking "outside the industry."

The fact is, you're in this career for a long time. Unless you do something truly terrible (like saying horribly offensive things to the casting director or physically attacking someone at the audition), they probably won't remember you if you mess up.

I'd much rather you have fun auditioning! Do the basic prep work necessary to do a good job, but don't stress out about it. At the end of the day, the more you enjoy the process, the more gigs you'll book and the faster your career will grow.

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​Martin Bentsen (author of this guide) is an actor marketing coach who uses “outside the industry” thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 6,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and other venues.
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Want to book more acting work by thinking different? Start with his free Actor’s Toolkit to create new opportunities right away, or visit his website at www.martinbentsen.com.

​Further Reading:

If you enjoyed this article, you might be interested in some of these:​
​

• ​How to Memorize Lines: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Become an Actor: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Find Auditions: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Use Meisner Technique to Knock Every Audition Out of the Park