{"id":2431,"date":"2019-04-18T15:08:42","date_gmt":"2019-04-18T15:08:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=2431"},"modified":"2026-03-04T10:30:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T10:30:45","slug":"theatre-auditions-tips-ruth-odowd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/getting-work\/theatre-auditions-tips-ruth-odowd\/","title":{"rendered":"Theatre Audition Tips with Ruth O\u2019Dowd"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you got a theatre audition coming up? Check out Ruth O’Dowd’s top tips for auditioning for theatre, from our latest Open House…<\/h3>\n

Are you waiting for your next audition? Downtime is the perfect opportunity to rework those auditioning muscles. It\u2019s easy as an actor to get caught up in your own head, especially when it comes to auditions, and feedback isn\u2019t always available, or clear!<\/p>\n

In our recent Open House, Ruth O\u2019Dowd led our Audition Technique for Theatre workshop. We rounded up a few of Ruth\u2019s top tips for nabbing your next theatre role. Take a read:<\/p>\n

Choose your piece wisely<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Choosing a piece that you feel confident in performing and have really thought about is essential. Ruth encourages you to pick something energetic, that tells a story within itself, so the people in the room feel that they have been taken on the journey with you. A piece that feels like it is going somewhere, leaving the viewer wanting to know more, even in a short period. Be careful when using film pieces for a stage audition – try not to be influenced by how it was acted for film, as stage is very different.<\/p>\n

Pieces that are internalised, or use devices such as talking on the phone, might not translate outwards, and you are trying to connect. So make sure you give yourself the best chance to connect with the people in the room! Whilst comfort with the piece is important, Ruth advises to be careful not to come across as inactive by choosing a piece or setting that doesn\u2019t give you a chance to stretch or show what you can do, as this can really stifle the chance to show what you\u2019ve got to offer.<\/p>\n

Unless specified by the people you are meeting, use your own accent in the first instance. It\u2019s one less thing to think about in your audition. And lastly, avoid any distractions such as props.<\/p>\n

Pay attention to direction and body language<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Think about who the piece is directed to – is it someone in the room? Always ask before directing the piece towards a specific person, and make sure you utilise those interactions to your best advantage.<\/p>\n

Try not to do things just for the sake of \u2018going big\u2019. Nerves can get the best of you, and can sometimes manifest themselves in restless energy.<\/p>\n

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Put yourself on tape and watch yourself back.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n