Community theater directors have a small pool to pick from when casting. Whoever shows up, you have to make into a star onstage.
Picking the right people for your cast and show can be very daunting, especially when you see over 50 auditions in a day.
Here are the top 5 things you should look for when casting at auditions for your next play or musical.
Arriving early/before the audition time is the first indicator of a dedicated actor. 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment is standard practice in the arts industry. This helps them make sure all of their paperwork and prep can be completed before they walk into your auditions.
What did you ask that each actor bring to the audition, did they bring all those things? Was their song/monologue thoroughly prepared, memorized, and practiced? Did they seem put together, confident and happy to be there? If you answered yes to all of these questions, this is a good indicator of someone you want in your cast.
One vital thing in theater, especially community theater, is the ability to wait. Wait for your scene, your cue, your notes, etc. Patience is vital to surviving in an environment of theatrical volunteering. If someone you are auditioning is very angry, anxious, have to be talking, moving, or on their phone, this is a bad sign. This will be a nightmare in rehearsals when they are not the center of attention. Look for people who are content and fine to wait without constant engagement and distraction.
Another important thing to remember is can they actually take direction? If you told them to stand on the X, did they? If you asked them to cold read a scene, did they dive in willingly? You can get a good feel for how people will respond to your direction right in the audition. Look for how people interact with you and your authority.
One of the most annoying things in the theater is finding the right look. We’ve all been victim to this in casting ourselves, and it’s hard to put others through it. However, if a performer does not fit the role physically, casting them might not be the right choice. Annie should never be played by a 17-year-old girl. Love interests should not look like brother and sister. Can you envision this actor in this role?
Now, this advice is to be taken with a grain of salt. Most of the time, weight, race, height, and attractiveness will not affect how the role will be played or interpreted. Be willing to cast outside of cliques.
Watch auditioner’s interactions with other auditioners. It will tell you a lot about who they are as a person. Can they get along with others easily? Are they willing to make new friends and strike up a conversation? These are small indicators that you actor will be a good cast member, on and off the stage.
Even if the most talented actress in the state shows up to your audition, if they do not get along with other people, you do not want them in your cast. While community theater certainly is about art, it is also about having fun.
When they walked away for the audition, did they leave an impact? Real performers have a spark, a passion a love for performing that cannot be taught. Did they have stars in their eyes? If not, they are probably not fit for a leading role. Performance can be taught, love for performance cannot.
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