How To Manage Audition Anxiety

Audition anxiety can plague even the best performers when they least expect it. Whether it's the over-run of desire for your perfect role, or an uncomfortable audition room, or a fellow actor giving you the "why-me" blues, we've got some tricks to help you manage!

1. Bring a calming activity! - This is a tip that gets over looked with adult performers all the time, but is a common trick of the trade for child actors. Bring an activity along with you that allows you to stay in your private zone and unaffected by others in the space, without coming across rude. Remember that audition waiting rooms are often small, and require quiet so we recommend something like a small crochet project, or a sudoku to keep your focus inverted when needed.

2. Visualizations - Visualizing a scenario or experience that is fulfilling, comforting, or empowering is a potent technique for anyone overcoming stress or anxiety. Visualizing yourself in the room performing a successful audition, or walking yourself through your Oscar-winning speech is not as self-indulgent as it sounds! We are in a business of imagination, imagine yourself into the job! Manifest baby!

3. Leave the space - This suggestion does not work in all casting setups, but sometimes all you need to psyche yourself back up and avoid becoming overwhelmed. If the waiting room is giving you stress look for an adjacent hallway or similar space to wait with a little more privacy. It is crucial that you can hear casting clearly from your semi-private waiting space, they are not able to search high and low for each actor during a busy casting session (and honestly shouldn't have to!).

4. Rehearse - Bring your sides and dive into the work. Once again, we encourage you to do so in silence or extremely soft whispers. If staying in the game will help you perform in the space then do not be afraid to do it!

5. Socialize! - Alternatively, sometimes it's best just to let it go and have some fun before heading into the room. If you've done your prep and you know your character and your sides, taking a little time away from your prep can keep you fresh and free in the room. If pressure to perform gives you the shakes, then this option is the best for you. Let it go! If you've done the work, you'll be fine. Enjoy a little small talk, make a new friend. Have fun!

Happy Auditioning!

How To Manage Audition Anxiety

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