Episode 2: “What’s an Audition?”
This week Dante is curious about auditioning. Coco joins the podcast to help answer his questions and learns how to slate.
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[INTRO]
DANTE
Dante’s Acting Adventures!
[THEME MUSIC]
Hey everybody! It’s me, Dante and welcome back to my podcast!
Today is Episode 2, ‘What’s an Audition?’ Today I will be interviewing the amazing Coco! A silly fact about Coco is-
COCO
I’ve broken four bones.
DANTE
Ouch! I hope that never happens to me! Some things that Coco likes to do when she’s not acting is-
COCO
Go to fun and new restaurants!
DANTE
Mm-mm. Delicious! Without further ado, let’s get started!
[MUSIC FADES]
[DRUM ROLL]
Hello, Coco!
COCO
Hi Dante.
DANTE
Thanks for being on my podcast today, how are you doing?
COCO
I’m doing quite good, how are you doing?
DANTE
I’m doing even better now that I get to talk to you!
COCO
I am so excited to be here.
DANTE
Me too. We’re talking about something kind of new today: auditioning. Have you ever auditioned before?
COCO
I sure have Dante.
DANTE
Oh man, I’ve never auditioned before.
COCO
Oh, don’t worry! There’s nothing to be scared about.
DANTE
That’s good to hear. Well, I have a few questions for you, so let’s get right into it.
COCO
Let’s do it.
DANTE
Question number one!
[SOUND EFFECT]
What is an audition?
COCO
An audition is something actors go to, to get into a play. You show the director what you like to sing or what monologues you like to perform, and then that helps them decide what character or role you’d be right for.
DANTE
Oh, that’s interesting. It’s not as complicated as I thought it would be.
COCO
And it can actually be a lot of fun.
DANTE
That’s good to hear. So, that leads me to my next question. Question number two!
[SOUND EFFECT]
How do you find an audition?
COCO
Well, there’s lots of ways to find auditions. Sometimes you hear about them from your friends, and it’s always fun to audition with friends. You can also hear about them from your school or there will be audition listings at theaters too.
DANTE
Wait, do you mean that I could find an audition at my school?
COCO
Absolutely. My first play was in fourth grade, at my school.
DANTE
Really? I want to hear more about that.
COCO
Well, it was a play about the California Gold Rush, and I played an Argonaut who found lots of gold. It was very very fun, but I did forget a lot of my lines.
DANTE
Really? Wait, I have dyslexia so sometimes I forget my lines too.
COCO
Well, that’s okay! I have ADHD so it’s hard for me to concentrate sometimes and it can take me a little longer to learn my lines for a show.
DANTE
Oh, so that means that I can still be a professional actor one day.
COCO
Of course, you can and you’re not alone! There are lots of actors with different learning capabilities and it makes you unique.
DANTE
That’s really cool. There’s a place for everyone here.
Question number three!
[SOUND EFFECT]
Why is auditioning important?
COCO
Well, auditioning is important because it teaches you how to be brave. It can be scary sometimes to perform for somebody, especially when you really want that part. But you can be brave and work through that fear, then you can tell special stories on stage and in the auditioning room.
DANTE
I’m starting to feel more and more excited about auditioning! It doesn’t feel as scary anymore. So…
Question number four!
[SOUND EFFECT]
What should I prepare for an audition?
COCO
Depending on what show you are auditioning for, you will choose a song or a monologue, or both!
DANTE
Wow that’s a lot. How do I know when to bring a song and when to bring a monologue?
COCO
Well, if you audition for a musical-a play with singing and dancing-you will want a song to help show them your voice and then a monologue can help show your personality!
DANTE
What’s a monologue?
COCO
A monologue is a long speech from a character in a play or a musical.
DANTE
So, do you just walk into the audition and start singing for them?
COCO
Not exactly. The first thing you want to do is slate.
DANTE
What’s a slate?
COCO
A slate is how you introduce yourself. You’ll say your name and what monologue or song you are performing for them.
DANTE
Oh…do you think you could give me an example?
COCO
Let’s do it Dante. The key is confidence. Can you tell the difference between these two? [TIMID AND SHY] Hi, um, I’m Coco…and I guess I’m going to be doing a song…for you. And now for the second. [CONFIDENT AND EXCITED] Hi! I’m Coco and I’m going to be singing a song from, “Into the Woods”.
DANTE
The second one was so awesome!
COCO
Thank you! Now you give it a try.
DANTE
Me? Okay, um… here goes nothing. [CLEARS THROAT] Hi. My name is Dante, and today I’m going to perform a monologue for you.
[APPLAUSE]
How was that?
COCO
That was so good! How did it feel?
DANTE
It felt amazing, to be really confident. Thank you so much for helping me learn about auditioning today. I feel so much better!
COCO
My pleasure Dante, you’re going to do so great.
DANTE
Thanks, Coco. Before we go today, will you help me with sharing one fun-fact on today’s episode?
COCO
For sure!
[FUN-FACT MUSIC]
My fun-fact today is a tip to help with stage fright. Before I go into the audition room, I like to tell myself a few things. The first thing I remind myself, is something I’m good at. [Ex] I’m good at singing, or I’m good at being funny, or making big choices. The second thing I think about, is to choose an intention to focus on in my audition. I’ll focus on a special pose on a certain word or feeling a special emotion. And the last thing I do is remember that I love what I’m doing, so, I should have fun!
DANTE
That’s pretty good advice! I can’t wait to give it a try in my next audition.
COCO
You’re going to do so good. Break a leg!
DANTE
Thanks Coco!
[THEME MUSIC]
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode, “What’s an Audition?” with my new friend Coco. Stay tuned for Episode three coming next week! Thank you and break a leg!
[FADE MUSIC]