Quick Answer
The key to calming audition nerves is preparation - select the right audition material showcasing your abilities, research the role and production, memorize your lines thoroughly, and rehearse your material extensively. Visualize success and use positive affirmations and self-talk leading up to the audition. Just before going in, use power posing for confidence and take deep breaths. During the audition, find focal points to stay grounded, repeat a mantra, and remember your preparations. Afterwards, celebrate and reward yourself, note what went well, and start prepping for the next opportunity. With the right strategies, actors can overcome audition anxiety and deliver their best performance.
Introduction
For actors, auditioning can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the profession. The stakes feel high, the pressure intense, and the competition fierce. Even the most seasoned performers feel the chronic knots in their stomach as they wait outside the audition room. But for many actors, the most anxiety-inducing moment is right before they are called in to perform. Those last few minutes are when the jitters tend to hit their peak and the mind races with as many catastrophic "what-ifs" as it can conjure. The heart pounds, palms sweat, mouth goes dry. It's enough to make anyone momentarily question their talent and career choices. But don't despair - with the right preparation and techniques, actors can overcome those inevitable last minute nerves and deliver amazing auditions. This comprehensive guide shares the best tips and strategies to calm nerves and build unshakeable confidence right before the audition. You’ve worked hard and put in the time to hone your craft. Now learn how to conquer the final hurdle of audition anxiety and show casting what you can really do.
Understanding Audition Anxiety
Feeling anxious before an audition is very common among actors of all levels. Audition jitters stem from the high-pressure situation and fear of judgement. You’ve worked hard to prepare your material, but now have just a brief window to impress the casting team. It's easy to get wrapped up in negative thoughts:
Will I remember my lines?
What if I mess up?
Do I have the right look for this role?
Am I good enough compared to the other actors?
These worrying thoughts amp up nervousness and anxiety. Learning to manage these thoughts is key to overcoming audition nerves.
Start Preparation Early
Thorough preparation well in advance of the audition date helps minimize last minute worries.
Choose the Right Material
Carefully select your monologue or sides to showcase your acting abilities. Pick material you connect with emotionally. Avoid overdone monologues that casting has heard hundreds of times.
Memorize Lines
Allow plenty of time to memorize your lines and sides. Practice until you can perform them confidently without looking at the page. Don't leave memorization to the night before.
Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
Run your audition material as much as possible, both alone and with reader. Work through the scene or monologue until the words feel natural and organic. Film yourself rehearsing to spot areas for improvement.
Research the Project
Learn all you can about the production, creative team, and role you're auditioning for. Use this info to make informed choices about costume, props, character background.
Tech Check
Confirm all the audition details - location, date, time, contact person, what to prepare. Test any online audition platform. Print spare copies of your sides and resume.
Day Before the Audition
The day before is about triple checking preparations and getting into the right headspace.
Review Your Materials
Run through your audition material at least once to reinforce memorization. Review notes from your preparation and rehearsals.
Visualize Success
Spend time vividly imagining yourself nailing the audition. Picture walking in confidently, connecting with the casting director, and delivering a compelling performance.
Hydrate and Rest
Drink plenty of water and get a good night's sleep. Being well hydrated and rested will help both your voice and focus. Avoid caffeine, which can make nerves worse.
Organize Your Gear
Pack your audition bag with headshots, resumes, notebook, pens, water, throat lozenges, and anything else you may need. Charging your phone and electronics. Print spare copies of scripts and sides.
Eat a Healthy Meal
Fuel up with a nutritious balanced meal of protein, carbs, and veggies. Skip heavy foods that can cause lethargy. Bring healthy snacks to eat before the audition.
Morning of the Audition
Follow this checklist the morning of your big audition to limit stress and keep your confidence high.
Positive Self-Talk
Counter nervous thoughts with affirmations like "I am prepared and ready to do my best." Remind yourself you have put in the work and you belong in the audition room.
Light Exercise
Do some light cardio or yoga to release tension and get your blood pumping. Jumping jacks, walking, or stretching help relaxation and vocal warm up.
Listen to Uplifting Music
Create a pump up playlist of songs that make you feel confident and empowered. Tunes with positive energy can help calm nerves.
Vocal Warm Up
Prevent vocal strain and warm up your voice with 5-10 minutes of humming, lip trills, and tongue twisters. Hydrate with room temperature water.
Review Sides
Briefly run lines and blocking one last time. Glance over any important notes from your preparation. Don't obsess or second guess your choices.
Time Buffer
Give yourself extra time in case of traffic or delays getting to the audition location. Arriving frazzled will only increase anxiety.
Focus on Yourself
Don't compare yourself to other actors you see auditioning. Stay focused on your own preparation and performance.
Just Before Entering the Audition Room
Use these final tips to settle your nerves right before your audition.
Positivity Breakthrough
Take 30 seconds before going in to focus on positive thoughts about your preparations. Remind yourself "I've got this."
Power Pose
Strike a wide open expansive pose with your hands on your hips and feet shoulder width for 2 minutes. Power posing releases confidence hormones.
Remember to Breathe
Focus on taking slow, full belly breaths. Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system to counter "fight or flight."
Act As If
Fake it till you make it. Walk in with your head held high and pretend you don't have a nervous bone in your body. Acting confident can help you feel confident.
Calming Techniques to Use During the Audition
If nerves creep up during your audition, subtly employ these tricks to calm yourself and refocus.
Repeat a Mantra
Recite a short positive phrase in your head like "I am calm and confident" or "I am at ease." Return your concentration to the audition.
Press Your Tongue
Lightly pressing your tongue against the ridge of your mouth activates the vagus nerve and reduces stress hormones.
Find a Focal Point
If you feel spaced out or overwhelmed, focus intently on one object or person in the room to get grounded.
Inhale Slowly
Take a very slow, deep belly breath without moving your upper chest. Slow exhales also help relaxation.
Shake it Out
Release tension with an subtle, discreet full body shake. Start with the hands and let the shaking energy travel down.
Offer Gum
Keep gum handy to help dry mouth symptoms. Offer a piece to casting director or reader too as an ice breaker.
After the Audition is Over
Congratulations, you made it through! Now it's time for reflection and self-care.
Note What Went Well
Instead of dwelling on mistakes, make notes about moments you felt especially connected and proud of. Review for future auditions.
Celebrate and Reward Yourself
Give yourself a pat on the back for putting yourself out there. Treat yourself to something special like a bubble bath or favorite meal.
Release the Outcome
The audition is over and the outcome is out of your control. Avoid agonizing over what you could have done differently. Let it go.
Stay Hydrated and Nourished
Replenish with water and a nutritious snack or meal. Adrenaline crashes can leave you depleted. Gentle yoga helps too.
Express Gratitude
Thank your reader and any coaches who helped you prepare. Feel grateful for the opportunities and lessons learned.
Long Term Strategies to Improve Audition Confidence
Frequent audition practice and mental training helps make auditioning less intimidating over time.
Book Classes and Coaching
Invest in acting classes, workshops, and coaching focused on audition technique. The more you practice auditioning, the easier it becomes.
Simulate Auditions
Arrange mock auditions with classmates and coaches between real auditions. The experience will become familiar and predictable.
Try Different Material
Work new monologues and genres outside your comfort zone. Become adept auditioning with all types of material.
Reframe Your Mindset
View auditions as opportunities to show your work instead of pass/fail judgements. Be proud to be pursuing your passion.
Meditate Daily
Consistent meditation strengthens your ability to stay focused and manage stressful situations. Useful apps like Headspace can help.
Join a Support Group
Find community and exchange audition tips with other actors through online groups, studio classes, or meetup groups.
Develop a Consistent Warm Up
Devise a preshow warm up sequence you can rely on to get yourself performance ready and in flow. Stick to it faithfully.
Additional Tips for Managing Audition Anxiety
Auditioning can frazzle even the most seasoned actors. Here are more techniques and long-term strategies to build unshakeable confidence and keep nerves under control when the stakes are high.
Extra Calming Techniques Just Before Auditioning
These additional tricks can help actors feel grounded and centered right before stepping into the audition room:
Essential oils - Put a drop of relaxing oil like lavender or chamomile on your wrists for aromatherapy calm. Inhale the scent when you need grounding.
Acupressure - Press firmly between your thumb and forefinger to hit an acupressure point that relieves tension.
Stretch - Stand in the hallway and do some gentle stretching to loosen up tight muscles and joints. Shake out wrists and ankles.
Listen to a guided meditation - Pop in your headphones for a quick 5-minute meditation to clear your mind before going in. Apps like Calm provide lots of options.
Helpful Mindsets for Audition Success
Adopting these mental frameworks can provide a helpful emotional buffer during the audition:
Growth mindset - View auditions as opportunities to improve your skills, not just booking the job. Focus on your own progress and learning above all.
Gratitude - Feel grateful you get to act and have access to auditions rather than resenting the pressure. There are many who would love the same chance.
Self-compassion - Be kind to yourself if you make a mistake and don't beat yourself up. Talk to yourself as you would a respected friend.
Abundance mentality - Believe there are unlimited acting opportunities out there for you rather than seeing each role as your big break. More chances await.
Long Term Strategies for Unshakeable Confidence
Make these practices part of your regular routine to become truly unflappable at auditions:
Daily meditation - Starting each day with even 10 minutes of meditation makes a huge impact on ability to focus under pressure.
Improv and cold reading - Hone skills improvising, thinking on your feet, and cold reading sides to become adaptable and poised.
Audition workshops - Make audition practice a consistent part of your training, not just right before a big audition. Ongoing experience breeds confidence.
Scene study - Work on new material and genres constantly. Become comfortable performing all styles to avoid being thrown off in auditions.
Mock auditions - Ask classmates or coaches to conduct practice auditions and give you honest feedback on areas needing work. Implement their advice.
Acting classes - Never stop learning! Continually polish your skills with classes on voice, movement, dialects, acting techniques. Always have new tools in your toolbox.
| Section | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Understanding Audition Anxiety |
|
| Start Preparation Early |
|
| Day Before Audition |
|
| Morning of Audition |
|
| Before Audition Room |
|
| Calming Techniques During Audition |
|
| After Audition |
|
| Long Term Strategies |
|
| Section | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Physical Relaxation Techniques |
|
| Mental Focus Techniques |
|
| Pre-Audition Preparation |
|
| Day Before Strategies |
|
| Morning Of Rituals |
|
| After Audition Self-Care |
|
Conclusion
Auditioning will always involve some level of nerves, even for the most seasoned performers. However, with proper preparation, a positive mindset, and calming techniques, actors can keep pre-audition anxiety at bay. Focus on selecting the right material, researching the role, and rehearsing thoroughly. Visualize success and remember to be kind to yourself through the process. Upon entering the room, get grounded in the moment and trust the work you've put in. Afterwards, celebrate having the courage to put yourself out there and continue strengthening your audition skills. View each audition as an exciting opportunity to show your talents, not a pressure-filled judgement. With time and practice, auditioning can become fun and fulfilling. Have patience on your acting journey, keep learning your craft, and rely on this guide when those last minute jitters hit. You’ve got this - now go impress that casting director!