Acting : Auditions #1: How to deal with pushy directors during an audition??? by Passion K. Shanks

Be professional, and STAY that way! Easy to say, and easy to do, once you've developed a "thick skin" to the process. Truth be told, they're saying, thank you, but, no thank you. Consider the variables "before" you go into an audition (to the best of your ability w/ the information given). Do you fit the criteria of the character you're auditioning for? Is your monologue and delivery "strong enough" to stand for the few mins. you'll have to deliver it? How is your attire? Try NOT to be discouraged. It's par for the course, and it's how this business works. You're gonna get different experiences each and every time you audition. Having said that, your mission is stay on the grind, polish your delivery, and have a few monologues ready to go so as closely match what the project is about. Comedy, drama, etc. You CAN and WILL get the work you seek! It will take a minute. By all means be "committed" to the process, and work to hone your skills. Hope this helps.

I think it's rare that a directors stops an actor out of nowhere. Not saying no director, ever, anywhere has ever done that - just that it's very rare. Most directors stop an actor because they are not seeing what they want to see and are trying to determine if the actor can take direction on the spot and adjust what they have been working on. "Pushy" is kind of what directors do - they push actors into a different performance place. My advice is to stop, listen and adjust when you're in an audition. Remember, your audition isn't about you and what you have prepared; an audition is where a director challenges you as an actor, where a director sees if you can adjust quickly, where a director sees how you react to direction.

It can be very annoying, but just try to roll with it. Adaptability is always a big selling point.

lol! I said it made me uncomfortable but yes I do understand what each and one of you are trying to tell me. To develop thick skin is something I am working on. But thank you for the advice and I WILL keep on acting. It's not a complaint, just asking a question on how to deal with it.

Sometimes they stop you early because they like you and they don't need to see the rest. Other times they stop you and are rude about it because they don't want to waste your time and have either precast or don't have a part that you would fit. If they are rude int he audition you probably don't want to spend a lot of time with them in rehearsal anyway. There are good people out there I swear! Keep your chin up.

Are you certain the directors are being "pushy" and stopping you for no reason? does this happen to you often?

My best advice is to take it in stride and keep going no matter the outcome.

It has happened to me 3-4 times lately but I think I found a way to stay in character during the mono speech at an audition.

I'm fascinated by this, Passion, because I have never come across a director who stops actors for no reason during an audition. Yet it happens to you often. As a producer I have sat in on hundreds of auditions and all the directors I have worked with stop actors for a reason. Do you have any thoughts why so many director you audition for stop you for no reason? Is it their lack of professionalism? I'm also interested in the experiences of other actors. Do you see this, too?

Passion the director may be pushing you to make you a better actress