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Audition Drama

DO YOU DREAM of being on the stage or the silver screen? Performing arts school intakes for 2020 are just around the corner.

Kyle Walmsley successfully auditioned for the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) and is running a drama school audition workshop at Corrugated Iron Youth Arts this month. He had a chat with us about the tricks of the trade.

Auditions – they sound daunting. What’s your experience been like?
I had lots of unsuccessful drama school auditions (laughs). I got shortlisted for NIDA when I didn’t get in, and I think I was drastically underprepared. I didn’t do enough work and I look back now and think, ‘why did you shoot yourself in the foot?’

How should wannabe pro thespians prepare?
Preparation is key in every sense, but without obsessive planning. You need to be familiar with what’s going on in the story, the characters, and the context of the moment you’re representing in the monologue – but don’t be locked into heaps of actions like ‘I need to put my hand on my head at this line’. It’s a balancing act of how much to prepare, and how to keep it fresh.

Any hot tips?
Monologues are always talking to someone, so talk to a person directly rather than speaking to the horizon or a weird exit sign. It makes such a difference to connect with someone’s eyes.

Biggest mistakes people make?
From the moment you walk in, you’re being judged – even before the audition begins. Don’t think ‘I’m nervous so I won’t give this warm-up my all.’ The audition panel are taking in your willingness to jump in and take a risk, and see how much self doubt you have diving in to the unknown.
 
What would you say to people who don’t get in on their first attempt?
Remember there are also a lot of people who don’t get in to the big schools and have long and bountiful careers, and there are a lot of other amazing courses. Getting turned away is not a bad thing at all – it gives you another chance to learn more about yourself.

Rejection is part of the job. Sometimes it’s nothing to do with you, someone else just might be the right height.

If you can’t handle a NIDA rejection, you’re probably not ready for the industry, because there’s a whole lot more coming, even if you do get in to NIDA. 

Drama School Audition Workshop Sun 10 Nov | 12-5pm | Nightcliff Community Centre | $30 | corrugatediron.org.au

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