Harriet Greenspan’s Auditioning Workshop

I teach Audition Technique. Getting ready for “the Audition” is the key to getting the role!  We work on preparation and how to actually audition. I cover every step needed, from the moment the actors get their audition material (sides) to the minute they walk into that audition, whether it’s in an actual casting office or self-taping for “The Audition.” How can they best be prepared for this moment. I work with the young actor’s intelligence, who they are individually, exploring within, and empowering them with the tools, techniques, and discipline they need to succeed as professional actors.

Self-Tapes: are your calling cards today. We work on how to make your self-tapes stand out – from taping to lighting to slating! During in-person workshops, I engage the actors in fun and age appropriate activities that relate to the audition.

Preparation: Through these activities, I will become more familiar with the actors, their personalities, sense of humor, energy and skill, to give out appropriate material. Then, I begin with the steps they need to prepare, including how to make clear, strong choices that they can own, through these activities and discussions. Material is given out. We incorporate everything we’ve learned so far, in preparing their material. In some workshops, depending on the group or location of workshops, material is given out a day earlier. Either way, I work on strengthening the audition.

Preparation for Virtual Workshops: I spend time talking to the actors discussing the steps they should know in order to prepare for their audition, whether it virtual, in person or tape. I ask them questions that they answer to see how knowledgeable and ready they are so I know how I can help each one individually.

Audition Technique: I cover all the ways they should prepare and feel comfortable with the scene in an audition situation, either in the room with a Casting Director, virtually or self-tape situations which today is very prevalent.  We focus on character analysis within the scene, with the emphasis on how to find the comedy beats! We work on finding the funny because there is funny in EVERYTHING!  How to incorporate who YOU are in the character you are playing. We work on how to memorize your lines easily and how your character works within the scene; to find a part of you that relates somehow to the character. I also work on behavior in the casting arena before you get into that casting office. I also discuss what do you do after the audition.

Self-Taping Workshops: In some of my workshops I have actors tape the scene after the workshop and send it to me with the direction they are given during the workshop. I review the tapes and give them additional notes.

Parents: I also spend time with the parents before or after the workshop answering questions and enlightening them on what we cover in the workshop. If we do parent time after the workshop, the kids discuss what they’ve learned. Parents play a huge part in the career of the young actor.

One new addition to my workshops is that I ask all actors to email me after the workshop and tell me what they’ve learned.