ABSTRACT

We are doubtless all familiar with the process of gatecrashing (trying to gain access to an event to which we haven't been invited) from teenage parties and the like. The same can apply to auditions, though rather than trying to blag your way in on the off-chance — brandishing a cheap bottle of alcohol at the door and tentatively announcing ‘Oh hi! I'm a friend of … ermmm, John's’ — an audition crasher not only has to have just as much confidence and nerve, but far more advance knowledge and preparation. The practice of actors gatecrashing auditions is actually quite rare in the UK and mainly works for those in the theatre, as television castings often take place in the company's studios or offices, making access difficult to achieve without an appointment, and commercials are usually very specific, happening at fairly short notice, so they are harder to hear about and track down.