Cold-Reading Auditions
Tips for "Cold Reading" Auditions
1. A "cold reading" is playing a scene with script in hand with little or no preparation.
2. Don't look down at the paper all through the reading. The top of your head is not expressive. Look quickly at the line and commit it to memory, then look up and deliver it. Let the director see your expressions. If your lines are too long to commit to memory at a glance, go ahead and repeat the process. Just don't bury your head in the script.
3. If the director describes the character and the situation to you, listen! Don't try to sneak a peek at your lines. It's better to understand what the director is looking for than to focus on the next line.
4. If you're reading with another actor, most of your lines will be communicated to him or her. Look at what you have to say, then communicate with the other actor. Look up from the script and "play" the lines.
5. Don't be afraid to use space and movement during cold readings. Gesture, move about the stage.
6. Listen to your partner's line rather than reading ahead. Much of acting is reacting, and your silent response is often as important as your spoken one. Let the director see your reactions.
7. If your partner has a long speech, you can glance down to see his last words. When those words are given, then look down to see your own response and up again to deliver it.
8. Be conscious of your posture. Everything about you should play the role--not just your voice.
9. If asked to read in a different way, take it as a compliment not a criticism.
10. Ask yourself, "What does this character gave at stake?"
11. Try not to monitor your reading with self-critical judgments.
12. Hold the script in your non-dominant hand at about chest level so you can gesture normally with your other hand. Don't wave the script about in the air. You need not pretend the script doesn't exist, just minimize its presence.
12. As with any audition, arrive 10-15 minutes early to get acclimated to the audition space and hear any pre-audition announcements.