Naked Auditions

Is is ever acceptable to be asked to audition nude? Had a weird experience last weekend at an audition and not sure if I over-reacted. There is a bedroom scene in the play apparently - was unaware at the time. Has anyone else had to before for amateur theatre?

Hi Millie - wow! You'd think they would advise you in advance. Some people might otherwise think the scenario was a bit (!) dodgy... Are you able to check the info in the audition notice in case you missed something crucial? I suspect if the company in question was legit (and of course it might be), they would have made the nudity aspect very clear in order to avoid wasting their own & everyone else's time. I don't know the answer to "is it ever acceptable", but I would think yes sometimes, although rarely. And I would definitely hope that the requirement to audition nude was made very clear from the start. Surely the director can make a short list first, and then if required "see" (so to speak) those individuals before any final decisions. I don't know whether you over-reacted, but if there was no pre-warning of auditionees, I bet you wouldn't have been the only one taken aback. (refer again to my 3rd sentence...) At least any other auditions you do in future should be a piece of cake by comparison! :-) Lisa

Our current show has a bit of skin showing (some of it is mine unfortunately for the audience). There is a scene where a female character is written to be topless. No-one was required to strip at auditions, and it was discussed with the actor in question before she accepted the role. Getting undressed during auditions? Sounds a little dodgy to me. www.meltheco.org.au

Where did you see the auditions advertised?

I'm not sure of the opinion of the law on this matter but I would never ask an actor to get nude in an audition. The actor should by all rights be informed of the prospect when they are auditioned and of course sounded out about it. Actually I would be interested to hear what Equity has to say about this... It could be argued that if the actor is comfortable with getting naked during the audition then it shows the actor will do it and not just say they will to get the role. However, there are many ways of dealing with this situation that don't involve getting the actor naked in auditions.

There used to be a director in Adelaide who asked pretty much all young women to strip to their underwear in auditions. His argument was that it showed their willingness to leave their comfort zone and to take challenging direction. It was my opinion that he simply liked to look at young women in their underwear. Unpleasant and creepy. I personally feel that when auditions are announced that may involve nudity in the final production then that must clearly be stated in advance and I would not ask any actor (male or female) to take off their clothes for an audition. I am prepared to accept their word for it that they have no unsightly blemishes that could affect the visual requirements of the play. I also do not believe in the everybody take their clothes off at rehearsal thing that seems to be popular. apart from anything else, if I take my clothes off people will run screaming into the night and I can't afford the compensations charges. Is the nudity in the script absolutely essential? Frankly having seen both the film and a stage production of Steaming I think that the nudity throughout is justifiable but not necessarily essential up to a specific point in the script after that point it is essential. Nudity needs a dramatic imperative otherwise it is simply salacious, I'm not a fan of The Full Monty the Musical for that reason. Anyway, I've gone a bit off subject here. I don't think that you should be asked as an amateur to strip at an audition under any circumstances and if as a professional you arrived at an audition without your agent or the casting director having forewarned you that you would be required to disrobe then you have serious grounds for complaint. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

I missed a point there. It is quite correct that it could be considered sexual harassment very easily from a legal point of view, in certain circumstances even more serious charges could be considered. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

I also do not believe in the everybody take their clothes off at rehearsal thing that seems to be popular. What the hell kind of rehearsals do you go to?!

You mentioned this auditioning nude was for an 'amateur theatre' show. I'm desperately curious to know which amateur theatre company has a following who would find live nudity acceptable. Most amateur companies stir up hornets' nests when they present works with foul language or containing 'contemporary themes'. Even if a performer is required to be undressed in a play this is usually advertised in the audition notice and auditionees are not required to strip off at auditions. Directing a performer through intimate scenes requires mutual respect, tact and trust. To me, asking an actor to strip off at an audition does not illustrate how open they are to getting out of their comfort zone or how appropriate they would be to portray the rest of the role. On the contrary, I would lose trust in the director for obliging me in to such an awkward situation at our first meeting and I would wonder how focused he or she was on the rest of the play, my character and whether or not I had anything to offer the company beyond being naked. Sounds very fishy to me and I'm also concerned that what happened may have bordered on something illegal. Tulipa.

The appropriate thing to do at an audition when you are asked to go nude is clearly not go there. punch the sleaze in the face, and let the industry know who to avoid. i believe it is not rare in LA to be asked at an audition, if clothes can be removed. but that is because my actor friends who were involved with those people would later realize that they had appeared in a pornographic film. in your audition experience where u were asked, i believe it was just someone trying to take advantage, and get a perve. Please be careful, you have common sense

Hi Millie, I think to an extent it depends on the director. I auditioned for a show, and whilst I knew from the content of the script, it was only at the end of the audition that I was asked if I was comfortable with nudity and sex scenes. However, at another audition, when I was assistant director, the director (who had also written the script), asked auditionees to perform same sex kisses (as they would be required in the script, not just for his own enjoyment).

I didn't explain very clearly did I. Sorry. In a production of Steaming that I was peripherally involved with as a lighting designer the first rehearsal where the actors were asked to disrobe (nearly every character has to appear nude at least once) it was made clear that the others attending that rehearsal would also have to undress. I didn't go. I have heard about the same thing happening at rehearsals for Shirley Valentine during the nude sequence. The director etc also disrobed. In the film "Mrs Henderson Presents" the same thing happens when the girls are first asked to take their clothes off. We are then as I am sure you all know treated to the sight of Bob Hoskins naked. There seems to be a suggestion, a thought, that if the cast have to take their clothes off it will somehow be easier if the attending crew take their clothes off. I have to say that my discomfort at being naked in public (I even swim wearing a Tshirt) would make the rehearsal a completely pointless as I would be unable to concentrate due to my discomfort. I am not an actor who has agreed to take my clothes off in a role, I also would only ask an actor to take their clothes off if it is essential to the play so I do not feel that I am being inconsistent. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

I guess there are things to take into account when auditioning an actor who will need to be nude on stage...tattoos, scars, a birthmark that looks like a walrus. (of course, they could just ask about those kinds of things) Maybe, if they were only planning on one round of auditions, they wanted to find out if the actors could pull off whatever was required for the scene while undressed. Whatever the situation, I have to agree with the above statements - If the audition were to include being nude, you'd want it to be very clearly stated in the audition information.

I do a lot of backstage work. In doing this, I did not sign up to appear nude. If I was inclined to do so, I would audition in front. In any case, the last time I appeared nude, Greenpeace tried to tow me back out to sea.

"You mentioned this auditioning nude was for an 'amateur theatre' show. I'm desperately curious to know which amateur theatre company has a following who would find live nudity acceptable. Most amateur companies stir up hornets' nests when they present works with foul language or containing 'contemporary themes'." Blak Yak Inc, Perth W.A. But we don't really have a following as such. But we certainly wouldn't be asking anyone to nude up at an audition on the spot.

Nudity is perhaps not so prevalent in theatre, but it is quite likely some of you may encounter this situation in auditioning for roles in films. I'm paraphrasing here, but these are roughly the professional guidelines from legitimate practices such as Actors Equity and the Screen Actors Guild. Amateur auditions would do well to follow a similar code: In no particular order: The Artist is not required to disrobe or partially disrobe at a first audition. Subsequent call backs must be specifically designated for that purpose. Also, a director can't simply keep giving you 'call backs'. After the first certain number, legally they ought to pay you for your time to attend more call backs. (This is true whether nudity is involved or not). Details such as what specific scenes or episodes in the play, film or TV; the extent of disrobing (ie full, partial, underwear, see-through tops etc); the treatment or purpose of the nude scenes; who else will be present in the scene, whether there is any body-to-body contact; whether there is any simulated sex act; the duration of the scene; etc; must all be spelled out and made clear beforehand. Any part of an audition displaying nudity is to take place after other acting, singing, dancing, etc audition pieces have been performed. The credentials of anyone present are to be established as to their reason for attending. The director, producer, choreographer, another actor to read in the scene, etc, may be considered legitimate. Others with no legitimate concern may be asked to leave. The Artist is allowed to nominate a person to attend the audition (or the rehearsing or filming of a nude scene). This could be a parent, partner, trusted friend, etc. No part of the audition can be filmed. Still shots (polaroids) may be taken, with the artist's permission for each shot, and the artist has the power to view and veto any such photos prior to their use. Naturally there are huge legal requirements concerning naked photography or film, who is responsible for storing it, its legitimate use for audition purposes, and when it needs to be destroyed or returned to the artist after the process. Occupational Health and Safety requires a safe and secure environment for such activity - ie access to a bathroom to prepare if necessary, adequate heating, protection from environmental hazards, etc. The legal age of the auditionee is obviously a factor. Once you actually are offered the part, there are other guidelines for the conduct of the experience. For example a closed set, where only the essential staff are present - camera/sound/makeup, etc. Having a robe available to cover up immediately prior and after the shooting, etc. You also have rights concerning whether a body double is used, ie it can't be represented on film, through editing, that you were nude, without your express approval. If you ever have concerns in a professional situation involving an audition for theatre or screen, contact the MEAA Equity for more specific details. Cheers, Craig ~<8>-/====\---------

Thank you all so much for your feedback - all good advice. Found out yesterday that the production has been cancelled - so glad I stopped when I did. Wondering how many other people auditioned though? On to new pastures and fresh fields - leave darkness (creeps) behind

So, let me get this straight. A group of people run an audition for an amateur play. The 'audition' required females to take their clothes off. Then, less than a week after perving at all the unclothed 'auditionees' the production is now not going ahead. I can't help but think that there are a group of guys out there somewhere who have just engineered the easiest free nudie perve. Millie, if you suspect that some under 18 females may have obliged the request to strip off at this audition and you equally suspect the legitimacy of this company or their proposed 'show', then a friendly chat to your local police may not be such a bad idea methinks. Tulipa.

I don't recall Millie saying it was just a group of guys auditioning her...

I don't recall Millie mentioning that the auditionees were all females, either. This is not to detract from what must have been a very confronting and unpleasant experience, however. freddie the rocking jedi badger

I did say, "This is not to detract...", etc. Yes, it was wrong. I personally would be horrified to have something like this sprung on me in an audition, just as Millie had every right to feel. And it does sound, to all extents, highly suspicious. However... I think the point should be made that there are a LOT of assumptions flying around at the moment, and assumptions, in my experience, are dangerous things to make. Speculation based on assumption is not something a case like this should be treated with. Let's stick to facts, everybody, yeah? I do agree, though, that Tulipa has a point about discussing the incident with authorities. Oh, and yeah I get what you mean :) Though I contend that: If 'guys' was being used as a form of address (hey there, guys!), or as a title/noun (hanging with the guys), then yes, it can be applied asexually. However, 'guys' in this instance was used as a descriptor/adjective(those guys over there), hence, not asexual. freddie the rocking jedi badger

WOW to audition in the nude is just absolutely wrong.....and I have nothing to do with the theatre.............It should have been stated prior to being auditioned and then it is your choice if you go ahead with it or not. I would be looking along the lines of a posible sexual deviate here???????????

Hi Freddie, You do have a point with regards to possible assumptions being made about this whole situation based on some fairly non descript information provided by Millie. And yes, for all we know male auditionees may have been asked to disrobe as well. I think this situation encountered by Millie does serve as a good example to the young actors who often post on this site. If you are under 18 it is very advisable to have a parent or guardian attend auditions with you. I'm hoping that no under 18's, male or female, were actually pressured in to removing their clothes for the purposes of this audition. Tulipa.