The Spotlight Graduate Programme is designed to prepare final year students for the industry, and this includes many opportunities to network with and bounce ideas off the experts! Spotlight recently hosted some graduate events in Manchester, including a Q&A with casting director for the Royal Exchange Theatre, Jerry Knight-Smith. Jerry offered the attendees a great set of hints and tips to stand you in good stead at your next audition! Here are the top 10 points we took away from the discussion:<\/p>\n
1. Enter the room with confidence<\/strong><\/p>\n Even if you aren\u2019t feeling it, coming across in a confident way is very important for a good first impression – if you enter a room confidently, you\u2019re on the path for success.<\/p>\n 2. Audition to work – not to please!<\/strong><\/p>\n Have a professional approach to your audition – remember that you aren\u2019t there to flatter or charm. Of course, being well liked is important, but a professional approach to your craft will demonstrate that you\u2019ll be good to work with in future.<\/p>\n 3. Keep doing what you can to overcome nerves<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to ignore nerves in an audition, and faking confidence can certainly help from the outset. But internally, overcoming nerves can make a huge difference to how you approach auditions in future. Finding techniques to centre yourself is important, and always worth working on.<\/p>\n 4. Take responsibility for yourself physically in the room<\/strong><\/p>\n The way you move and operate in the space will say a lot about you in general. Think about your body language and the signs you give off.<\/p>\n 5. Only ask what you really need to ask<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have questions, try to self edit before you ask: is it an obvious question? Or is it something you really need to know, that isn\u2019t clear? Remember that time is limited, so only ask the things that aren\u2019t obvious.<\/p>\n