Act your age

Todays blog is about a popular topic, auditioning. And I especially want to aim todays blog to younger actors as they pick audition pieces.

 One of the keys to selecting an audtion piece is to make it age appropriate. Many times though, I have had young performers show up at an audition with a piece that is just wrong for them. Let's say I am having an open casting call for a role in a Shakepearean play. I ask actors to come in with a classical piece prepared, preferrably from Shakespeare. A young girl, 12-14 years old, might be smart and come in  with a monologue  as Juliet. But if she shows up and does a monologue as the Nurse from Romeo and Juliet, I will just assume she doesn't know how to prepare a proper audition piece.

Let me be clear here, if you are a teen, and your school is putting on Guys and Dolls, then of course you choose a piece that reflects roles in that play. Teens often play older roles in school shows. but in a professional or community theater production, always try to have a piece that reflects your actual age. In college, as a 20 year old, I played a man in his 60's in a college production. In a legit theater, chances are they are going to look for someone actually near 60.

This is especially true when you are called in for film or commercial work. Having a piece ready that is appropriate for you is critical when you audition for those media. Casting directors want a person who looks 17 to play the role of the 17 year old. Of course, many people in their 20's might pass as a 17 year old, which is fine. But if a director needs a 50 year old, then it is silly for a 17-30 year old to show up, unless they have led a really rough life. Likewise, a parent should not bring a 10 year old to an audition where they need a toddler for a print ad. It wastes the directors time, your time, and the time of the other parents with actual toddlers.

A great step as an actor of any age is to know what range you can play. At my current age I can usually play roles from 45-70. That is a wide range, but I am a character actor. The range tends to widen a bit was we age. When I was 18, still as a character actor, I could play 18-28. Keep in mind that in many scripts and audition calls, a suggested age range is given, if you can play within that range, or feel you are close to it, go to the audition. But don't just "attend anyway" if you are dead wrong for the role. Bad and unlikely auditions are fun on American Idol, but maddening in real life.

So act your age!

J.T. TURNER
THE ACTOR'S SENSEI

ACTING LESSONS, PRESENTATION WORK, COACHING FOR ALL MEDIA.