ABSTRACT
The central goal of the audition is to determine which actors might be right for particular roles. If you have the luxury of auditioning different combinations of actors together (more common in university theater than in professional theater), you may also be able to see how the actors work together. You can also use auditions to find out other things about actors: how they take direction and adjust to your notes; how they answer questions about the character or the play; whether they react differently to various scene partners; what type of language they use to describe their artistic choices; and whether they treat everyone with respect. An actor's audition begins the minute the actor gets within earshot of the audition room; it does not end until he or she has left the premises. Watch each actor carefully before, during, and after each reading. Does the actor seem focused? Does he or she have a good attitude? What is the actor's reaction when he or she thinks a scene has not gone well?
