Home > Books and DVDs > Books > Loving to Audition > The Forward

The Forward

"Listen!

After you finish this book, you will never audition for another part.

(I'll say that in another way.)

After you read this book,
you will continue to go to auditions,
but when you get there,
you will not audition for anything.

In fact, from this point on,
YOUR AUDITIONING DAYS ARE OVER!

Does this sound absurd?
Unimaginable?
Isn't this a book on auditioning?

Let me explain...

Obviously, I was trying to grab your attention. But I do want you to give some real consideration to the concept that an audition is an event, a happening, not an activity. It is something you go to, not something you do.

The whole idea of "auditioning" is one that undermines the actors sense of power and his or her true talents. The way we hold the concept of "auditioning," can debilitate and cripple us.

Let me ask you a question. If you were to enroll in a four-year acting training program, would you hope to come out of the school:

1. Having become an adept, agile, versatile, skilled and courageous artist of the theatre.

- or -

2. Having become a knees shaking pleaser, pleader and beseecher, a hireling who tiptoes from audition to audition attempting to make your most humble and earnest petition to be given a job?

If you are more aligned with number one, why don't you and I abolish the idea of "auditioning" altogether. Let's shift our focus from going into the audition and hoping to be "wanted," to going into the audition and giving a great performance!

Don't you think that what every director and producer really want to see you do is some great acting? Isn't that what you really want to do?

Are you with me on this?

You are?

Then Welcome!

Yes, this book is all about helping you become powerfully effective in your audition performances. And though our focus here is on the audition event, this book is even more so about re-igniting your passion to act, making direct contact with your deep need to express yourself and an unleashing of your unique spirit. Now, don't you think those are some important things to bring along with you to every audition?

I believe you will discover in new ways, as you "do" this book, that your own vision of your work as an actor and of the difference you hope to make, is important and necessary. That YOU are important and necessary. That YOU have a contribution to make. That, in our world of mostly imitation bacon, especially in the world of acting, we need the REAL YOU more than ever!

When we stop and really take a look, it's so clear that life is a most surprising and miraculous adventure. Should our searching to be a fantastically alive and authentic actor be anything less? I have tried to create a book that reflects that ongoing journey; an acting workbook that offers you a process of taking a deeper look inside of yourself, as you become vitally connected to everyone and everything in the world around you. I think that you are going to find that the realm of performing at auditions has greater potential for personal creativity than you might have imagined, and that it can even be fun! Wouldn't that be great?

In Section One of the book, I will be teaching you a very specific and exciting approach to working on audition material; techniques that will give you a most personal way to bring the monologue to life. In Section Two, we will explore from many angles, our attitudes toward auditions and how we can actually turn auditions into occasions filled with true satisfaction and joy.

So, are you ready?

Then turn the page..."