What are audition sides and how should I prepare them?
Read the whole scene first
Sides are excerpts from a script, often two to five pages. Before you start memorizing anything, read the full scene and the scenes around it if you can get them. Identify who your character is talking to and what changes by the end of the scene.
Mark the words that show intent, such as verbs and questions. Those words often tell you what your character is trying to get from the other person.
- Note where the scene starts and ends
- Circle the changes in tone or topic
- Write one clear goal for each beat
- Look up unfamiliar words or references
Rehearse with choices
Once you understand the scene, practice saying the lines out loud. Try a few different choices, then pick the one that feels most true and specific. Avoid playing a general mood, since casting wants to see a person reacting to someone.
If you have a reader or friend, ask them to play the other character. Working with a real partner helps you stay present when you perform it in the room.
Common mistakes
- Memorizing the lines without understanding what your character wants.
- Playing the scene at one emotional level from start to finish.
- Ignoring stage directions that signal a change in action.
