funny auditions

I hate auditions! However, they can sometimes be funny because they go wrong or people say stupid things under prssure etc. Have you got any funny audition stories to lighten the day and make everyone feel better about their audition that went badly.
An example - a friend of mine went to an audition an the director looked at her headshot and asked 'Is this photo in Spotlight?' 'Oh no,' she replied 'It was taken outside!'


  • 16 years ago
  • 4,493
  • 34
Lee Ravitz
Actor

I agree - lots of funny things can happen at auditions, it's true.

I'm never quite sure why people frequently say they hate auditioning, though. While I admit it can sometimes be a daunting thing to have to do, with no guarantee of a good outcome at the end of it, I'd much rather be being allowed to come to an audition and, for better or worse, present what I've got to somebody. It's when nobody wants to give you an audition in the first place that I think we have something to complain about!

In other words, if you're getting auditions, don't knock it.


  • 16 years ago
  • 1
Jason Haigh
Actor

An acting friend of mine went for an audition where the the actors had their names written on a piece of card to show to camera for the ident.When asked his name he glanced down at the card and looked back into camera and proudly said 'Charlie Cox'.The director then said 'Ok now throw it away'.Charlie tossed his head to one side and nonchantly said his name out of the corner of his mouth.The director then amusingly said 'I meant the card with your name on it'.Thats why the English language is so wonderful.So many different interpretations.
The good news is Charlie has just finished filming with Robert De Niro.So i don't think that was a make or break audition,thank the lord.


  • 16 years ago
  • 2
Nathan Head
Actor

yeah right Steven.. A "Freind" eh? lol
hmm

anyway, i have no embarassing stories i can think of
not getting parts after an audition doesn't bother me too much 'cos at least you are getting yourself seen by casting directors and its all good practice i guess. Everytime i come out of an audition i learn something new.


  • 16 years ago
  • 3
Private User
This profile is private

Many years ago I had an audition for Grease.

I got to dance in front of Arlene Phillips (be afraid, be very afraid.

As I started dancing in my group of 3, my jazz shoe came half off my foot. I did the whole routine with it folded underneath my foot. I then had to do a high kick, the shoe flew into the air, hit the ceiling and came down right in front of Arlene's face, on the top of her pile of CV's.

I had to retrieve it gingerly and the whole room gasped!!!!!!!!

I didn't get the job ;)


  • 16 years ago
  • 4
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

My first ever audition was for a tie tour and I was so nervous. I went totally over the top trying to be noticed and fit in...making loads of jokes and generally being obnoxious.
I soon realised my mistake when I merrily got into the car and told my boyfriend all about my day. To which he replied...'so you were a complete nob then' (I know it sounds harsh but sometimes one needs to be told!)
That was nearly three years ago and it still makes me cringe when I think about it now! xx


  • 16 years ago
  • 5

The brief for a chewing gum commercial in Australia required 'an unattractive European male'. The casting director rang my agent and asked for me by name. I thought that was pretty funny. I didn't get it. Obviously not unattractive enough!


  • 16 years ago
  • 6
Nathan Head
Actor

oh Monty!


  • 16 years ago
  • 7

Not me I assure you but someone apparently went to an audition at Central and did the Edmund 'Bastard' speech. He stripped naked and at the end stated stroking his privates with a flower on the line 'Now God stand up for Bastards!'

Don't know whether he got in?


  • 16 years ago
  • 8
Private User
This profile is private

It's not actually that funny but it was a pretty hideous audition...I had to prepare a violin piece for it - unfortunatly, as I was tuning, my string snapped. I was still calm-ish as I went to change it until my bridge fell off and my violin pretty much fell apart. I had four men staring at me looking pretty disgusted and I just kind of shuffled out...em..I'll just get my coat shall I..?

Still makes me cringe!


  • 16 years ago
  • 9
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Mine isn't so much an audition situation but I remember when I was younger and I was doing a reginal competion in the 'Song & Dance' section. I was in line to win 'first place' and everyone was going 'Oh you will definately win this one...' I was so nervous that I went on stage, stared to sing the song and forgot the words....what did I do but went...la la la la la la la la ....continue la la la la la...
I think I came last...very embarrassing!

Hey, but at least I didn't run off stage like others did. Determination form an early age. well thats how I see it!


  • 16 years ago
  • 10

I once had an audition for Dolmio (cod Italian accent voiceover). I entered the room, saw a whole row of people staring at me and a camera set-up a chair in the middle of the room & lights glaring. Jane Frisby, I think, was the casting director and led me into the room. I got nervous and hit my head against a light, turned around in reaction and consequently wacked Jane with my handbag - ikes!


  • 16 years ago
  • 11
Emma Sewell
Singer, Actor

Wasn't that important an audition. But I had an audition for my college production when I was in my second year. They made me sing happy birthday while trying to be really entertaining! (an horrid thing to be asked at the best of times) Anyway I got to the happy birthday to (insert name) and promptly called the head of the panel, Stuart his name was Sean and he was the head of the performance department. They gave me the silent one line part!!

Em.xx


  • 16 years ago
  • 12
Private User
This profile is private

haha! loving these stories, I have more - but what is funny to you at the time might not be soooo funny to others, I will think about others to tell.


  • 16 years ago
  • 13

I don't know about funny but it was a tad awkward. It was a relatively recent audition.. All my agent told me was to wear shorts. I turn up to a room full of really muscular model type guys. I couldn't help thinking: Did someone confuse good-looking for geeky?
I know they tend to look for various types but being the only stand-out in the crowd at that sort of audition is rather embarrassing.


  • 16 years ago
  • 14
Nathan Head
Actor

Oh Anthony! I bet you felt like sneaking out!
lol


  • 16 years ago
  • 15
ALAN WALES
Actor

At a Shakespeare audition once for MERCHANT OF VENICE this guy turned up as Shylock, in a yarmunkle I think they're called? (black skull cap). He spent the whole workshop being very "Jewish" in a hammy oyvay sort of way. At one point I asked him where the toilets were and he said "over there, my boy, over there!"
I think possibly he wanted to give the impression that he'd already been cast (he hadn't). The director kept looking at him as if he needed help.
A stunt backfiring badly?


  • 16 years ago
  • 16

I had to hug a plastic tree. And tell it I loved it.

I've walked into coffee tables, too.

I had one of those terrible auditions where everything went wrong recently.

Went to east croydon, not south. Then couldn't find the place. Then got stuck in the bathroom (!!!!) then I forgot BOTH my monologues- and went bright purple. I think I may have let the door hit me on the way out...then left my mobile on the train. (luckily this was picked up by an MPs daughter who returned it!).

I'd like to point out to any potential employers that I'm usually very concientous. :)


  • 16 years ago
  • 17

Oh Sally, luv it. You needed a nice comedy role to sink your teeth into after that performance methinks ;-)


  • 16 years ago
  • 18
Nathan Head
Actor

If anyone knows of Jenny Tomasin who was famous for playing Ruby Finch in Suptairs Downstairs, well I remember watching a recent documentary where the cast were all interviewed about the show and she told of her initial audition.
Apparently she got lost in th studios and went down a corridor that she thought was the way out and found it to be a dead end! She was to nervous to go and ask the way out so she climbed out the window

LOL i can see that happening to me one day :S eep


you know, I think all these funny audition stories help a bit, they make you realise that when you dont get a role, at least you didnt do any of the stuff some people have done in auditions! lol


  • 16 years ago
  • 19
Lee Ravitz
Actor

I *always* seem to spend time haring around like the proverbial blus arsed fly prior to an audition, because my sense of direction is generally so poor that even with an A - Z in hand, I end up walking in the worng direction. But I'm never late - I just have to set off five hours early.

I did do an audition once, where I had been invited in by an old friend who was the director, and who had especially asked for me to read for a part. So I got to the auditions, and my immediate feeling was that I should let someone know I had turned up, as the director wanted to see me specifically. So, I tried to say (in the nicest possible way) to the guy who was 'supervising' the auditionees 'Hi, if you could just pass on to the director the fact that I've turned up when you've got a minute'. I thought I was being fairly discreet about this, but he seemed a little put out that I should have the nerve to not just take a seat and wait my turn like everyone else.

Now, as far as it went, the audition itself was fine - as soon as I got in the room, there was my friend the director, and he was, as I had expected him to be, suitably happy to see that I'd followed up his call, and was willing to audition for him.

The irony was that when I was cast, on the first day of rehearsal, I discovered that another of the guys in the cast was none other than the aggrieved supervisor I'd had the run in with! As it turned out, he was actually a really nice bloke, and we got on as performers fantastically. But I can only conclude that he'd been cast at the time I was auditioning, and took offense at the idea that I was 'presuming' on his territory. Moral of the story: be careful who you talk to at the audition (and how you talk to them), I suppose!


  • 16 years ago
  • 20
You must login as a candidate to participate in the forum.
Please note: Messages written in the forum do not represent the views of The Mandy Network, nor have they been vetted by The Mandy Network staff. If you read something which you believe to be offensive or defamatory, please contact us and we will take the appropriate action.