Handling Nerves at Auditions

Have to say I agree with Rae. I have been acting for 15 years and I also believe the best way to work through audition nerves is to do auditions. Lots of them, often, for roles you do want and roles that you may not. The real underlying cause of audition nerves is fear of failure. We all want to present our best work in public and the desire to impress a director and secure a part adds to the pressure. If you wish to devote your life to acting, then there are several realities that you need to embrace. 1 - auditions are going to be a fact of life. 2 - You will receive more knockbacks than casting offers. An audition that does not lead to a casting (or drama school entry) is never the end of the world. I have personally shone at some auditions and totally crashed at others. It's just the way it goes. You may find that doing some improvisation classes will help. Learning impro gives you the confidence and tools to fly without fear in a performance situation. I have found impro to be incrediably beneficial to me as a performer in many aspects of my work. Impro Melbourne and Impro Sydney offer beginners and entry level classes if you are from either of those cities. And finally. As you are auditioning for drama school, I will assume that you are young. Acting, performing etc. is a skill which you are constantly working on throughout your life and the older you get, the more experience you have. The difficulties that you may be experiencing with your work right now are unlikely to continue troubling you forever. Hope this has been helpful and all the best with your journey through life and the arts. - Tulipa.