#Priorities

As I write this, things are picking up for Audition Season 2017. It's the time of year when many actors are getting up at stupid-o'clock-in-the-morning to try to get as many auditions done around their day-jobs as they possibly can; braving the freezing winter air for an hour or two in the line outside Ripley-Grier because they weren't fortunate enough to snag a spot on the brand-new online signup system that seems perpetually overloaded, and NEVER with enough coffee in their systems to deal with that crazy person that is just dying to know what your opinion is on their audition material while you wait in line. 

The struggle is real, my friends.

Or maybe it isn't this year. I wouldn't know because I'm doing this hip new thing I like to call:

BEING A PERSON FIRST.

I love being an actor, but sometimes, you gotta take a step back and evaluate your #priorities. 

Note: if you happen to be reading this out loud (I don't know why you would, but maybe you're just awesome like that), then be sure to note that #priorities should be read "hashtag priorities." It's more fun.

I'm getting married this year. I don't want my wedding to be a hot mess, so I need to spend time on it, because it matters to me. And so does my work as a Shakespeare Coach. And so does sleep. And so does actually spending time with my awesome future husband. Auditioning for shows that happen between now and my wedding is not in line with my #priorities, so I'm staying out of the audition scene for the most part and getting stuff done.

Do you need to stop killing yourself over auditions and be a person first? 

If you got let go from your day job tomorrow, would you be able to pay your rent and eat something other than ramen noodles? If not, maybe you should skip or cut down on your auditioning to get some savings. #priorities

Is NYC driving you just a little bit bananas? Did you not see your family over the holidays? Do you just need a break so that you don't flip out at people? You can take a break if you want! Your mental health, your family, and your overall happiness can overrule your need to get in the room. #priorities

Has your significant other stopped feeling significant because you're so wrapped up in your career? Taking time off, even just a day or two, can help you gain some balance. #priorities

It is very easy to let the feverish energy and pace of audition season make you feel like you are constantly in a race with all the other actors in NYC to be the first in line in the morning, the first to book a gig for the summer, or even to be the actor that managed to get seen at the most auditions on any given day. If we're keeping with the race analogy, remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint, and you're not actually competing against anyone... so it's not really a race, which is why that metaphor is kinda lame. There will always be more auditions. Really.

If you're someone who thrives on the four hours of sleep you're getting the night before an audition, God bless you. Very few people, if any, can sustain that for the 3 months or so of audition season. There is no shame in realizing that your #priorities are not in auditioning for every single thing or everything you're perfect for or anything at all right now. Be a person first, and an actor maybe fourth.

Much love,

Emily

If Auditioning is in your #priorities,

get your SHAKES together

with private Shakespeare Coaching sessions!

Two Contrasting Monologues

You guys! I have an approach to audition prep that just might change the game for you. It starts when you read the phrase:

"Please prepare two contrasting monologues."

If you went to drama school, you've probably been taught to have one comedic piece and one dramatic piece just for these sort of situations, and you might mentally catalogue speeches, to be called upon when the need arises. "This is my 1 minute comedic contemporary monologue", "my dramatic classical verse monologue", "my Tennessee Williams monologue", etc. 

While those descriptors are certainly helpful in determining which speeches are right for specific auditions, if you're like me, and pretty much only audition for Shakespeare, you can wind up feeling somewhat stuck when you need to prepare two contrasting monologues.

There simply aren't a ton of inherently "funny" monologues in Shakespeare, particularly for ladies. (Several of my students have made this observation.) The situation may be hilarious in the context of the scene, but strip it down to a single actor giving a speech, and a lot of the time it seems like complaining. Of course, it's possible to make these speeches work, but it can be daunting, and sometimes, the jokes just don't land.

I was prepping for one of these "two contrasting Shakespeare monologues" auditions recently, and I felt stuck with my options for what was truly "contrasting". It's not that I don't have the material, but there just seemed to be a lack of imagination and play if I was doing the monologue that always gets a laugh and the really sad, impassioned speech where I cry. I felt stuck because, as an actor, I am so much more than laughing and crying... and you are, too!

Then, I had a thought that got me completely unstuck from the funny vs serious rut I was in:

What if the contrast wasn't just about the pieces I did, but about the DIRECTION?

I took the two pieces I was most excited about (and sure, one was from a comedy, and the other from a tragedy; both by Shakespeare and in verse), and decided to approach them as though they were directed by two totally different people, with different signature styles!

For my "dramatic" piece, I decided to go super traditional Shakespeare: a little slower than I personally prefer, but honest and earnest, as though the director was Trevor Nunn.

This offset my "comedic" piece, which was ultra-modern, with pauses, emphasis, and physicality that fits right in with the hip, indie Shakespeare scene that Eric Tucker has made his reputation on. 

During my prep, I also imagined what the sets, costumes, props, and lighting would look like, whether there was music, and which actors were playing the people I was speaking to. It really helped me build a whole world in my imagination for my characters to live in, and added to my specificity in the audition. These two ladies were now absolutely NOTHING alike.

By focusing on the make-believe directors for my monologues, I managed to take a lot of pressure off of myself to "be heart-breaking" or to "be funny", and I showed a broader range of what I am capable of when I'm in a show - and I'll bet it will help you showcase your skills, too!

I want to know: did you find this idea helpful? Would you try it out in your own audition prep? If you try it, let me know how it worked for you! How did it make you feel?

Want to go from scared to PREPARED with Shakespeare?

Email me at ShakespeareCoach@gmail.com

to schedule a coaching session, and be ready for your next audition!

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As of 9/1/16, your favorite Shakespeare Coach is now certified in CPR and First Aid by the American Heart Association! I even got a selfie with the dummy after I saved him!

VIDEO - How to Become a Better Actor TODAY (for free!)

Chances are that if you're an actor, you've run into the challenge of wanting to work on your craft with limited funds... I know I have! That's why I've put together this quick video with 7 tips on how to become a better actor RIGHT NOW without spending a dime - check it out!

Ready to go from scared to PREPARED with Shakespeare?

Email ShakespeareCoach@gmail.com to schedule your first coaching session!

Visit ShakespeareCoach.com for details!

VIDEO - Why You Need to be in Class

I get it. You went to school for theatre; maybe you got a degree or four in it. You've learned a ton, and have the student loan bills to prove it! But if you are (or want to be) an actor, you need to continue to be in class.

Why?

Hear me out in this quick video:

See what I mean? If you want to stay competitive in this constantly-changing, endlessly-challenging field, it is of the utmost importance that you keep your skills sharp, and get new skills as well!

Ready to go from scared to PREPARED with Shakespeare?

Email ShakespeareCoach@gmail.com to schedule your first coaching session!

Visit ShakespeareCoach.com for details!

VIDEO - How to Pronounce Character Names in Shakespeare's King Lear

You all really seem to dig these character pronunciation videos, so here's the latest one: King Lear! 

With names like Goneril, Curan, and Gloucester, this is a must-watch!

Ready to go from scared to PREPARED with Shakespeare?

Email ShakespeareCoach@gmail.com to schedule your first coaching session!

Visit ShakespeareCoach.com for details!

VIDEO - How to Find Your Type in Shakespeare

"Type" is one of those things that confuses and frustrates a lot of actors. What it comes down to is simple marketing: you, the actor, are the product you are selling. You have to know which roles you are most likely to be cast in; how the rest of the world sees you - this is called your "type".

Do you tend to play the funny best friend?

The soccer mom?

The leading man/lady?

The nerdy scientist who ends up being the serial killer in a surprise twist?

In this quick video, I'll give you the tools to find your "type", especially as it relates to Shakespeare's plays!

Ready to go from scared to PREPARED with Shakespeare?

Email ShakespeareCoach@gmail.com to schedule your first coaching session!

Visit ShakespeareCoach.com for details!