Thank you for your interest in submitting for the Acting Audition Scholarship Competition – The Irene Ryan’s.
As you prepare to submit your preliminary round videos, I would like to share some general information and tips.
The first is about selecting material.
1. For the Preliminary Rounds, you will perform 2 contrasting monologues totaling no more than 3 minutes; the timer begins after your slate. – More on slating in a minute.
2. Please make sure your pieces come from published plays and plays that have not be written by yourself.
3. Please check on the publishing company’s website to ensure there aren’t any restrictions on performing a piece from your selected play. If you have questions, you can always reach out directing to the publishing company.
4. Next, please select material that best reflects your lived experience and honor the playwright’s intent in terms of casting.
Next, let’s discuss self-taping:
1. You will not be judged on the quality of your video, but there are some things you can do to best show off your work.
2. First, try to film in a quiet place – that includes turning off fans or heaters that might be making a background noise that to you sound like part of the room, but might seem
distracting to someone watching your video.
3. If you are recording to your phone, please make sure you are recording in landscape form (holding the phone sideways).
4. Do your best to film against a neutral or solid color background. A blank wall, a curtain, a blue or green screen are all great options. Try as best you can to remove anything in
the background that would distract the viewer from watching you.
5. Try to film with front light such as from a ring light or desk lamp – something that illuminates your face. Be careful of harsh overhead lighting that could cast shadows on
your face and make it difficult to see your eyes.
6. Using the mic on your camera, phone, or computer should be sufficient, but make sure you play your video back before breaking down your set up, just to make sure the
microphone picked you up clearly.
7. Consider the placement of the camera itself. Aim to have the camera close to eye level and try to frame yourself from the top of your head to about your waist.
8. For your monologue, place your imaginary scene partner just left or right of the camera so that we see most of your face full on. If your character is talking to themselves out
loud, just avoid looking directly into the camera once you begin the piece.
9. Now, when it comes to slating, this is when you can look directly into the camera. Please state your name and the pieces you will be performing. Do not state what school you
are from or if you are respondent nominated or self-nominated.
Once you have finished recording:
1. Make sure you are happy with your performance before breaking down your set up.
2. Please note you cannot edit these videos. You must do both pieces back-to-back. No cutting, adding graphics, or editing. These should feel like live in person auditions.
3. Please make sure to save your video and upload it to YouTube, making sure to select the option UNLISTED – so that anyone with a link can view your material.
4. Please label the video with your first and last name.
5. You will submit the link to your video on your submission form.
Lastly, here are just some general tips for a strong audition.
1. Have a clear objective. Know specifically what you want the other person (or yourself if you are doing a soliloquy), what you want the other person to say or do once you finish
speaking.
2. Second, give yourself stakes and urgency. Make sure to clarify for yourself why you must say this thing you need now and what is at stake for you if you don’t get what you are
after. Let this fuel you as you fight to achieve your objective.
3. Have a clear sense of the other person – in other words, who are you talking to and how do you feel about them in this moment, and further, how are they responding as your
talking to them?
4. Lastly, just go for it! Don’t hold back. Audition like you are auditioning for the climax of the play, and not the opening scene. In short, have fun. The more fun you are having,
the more fun it will be to watch.
I hope this was helpful and I will end by saying, break a leg! And enjoy your time at the festival!