Hear that? That's the huge sigh of relief I'm breathing now that the holidays are past. Vacations are over, the fudge has all been eaten, and work is finally (blessedly) back to normal. Okay, my Christmas tree is still up and I've put on five pounds, but that's to be expected, right? Anyway, I'm so glad to finally be back to writing, and hopefully now that the hustle and bustle of the season has died down, I'll be able to post regularly (as in, more than once a month).

I was contacted a couple weeks ago by some of my friends at the Dayton Theatre Guild, asking if I would promote auditions for their upcoming production of David Lindsay-Abaire's Kimberly Akimbo. I'd been wanting to write about some auditioning dos and don'ts for a while, so this seemed to be the perfect opportunity. But before I start, here's the lowdown on auditions for Kimberly Akimbo: they'll be taking place this coming Monday and Tuesday, January 11th and 12th, at the Dayton Theatre Guild on Wayne Avenue. Auditions begin at 7:00pm, and you can find directions to the theatre and a description of the characters at the Guild's website, here.

Oh, and before I start handing out "expert" tips all willy-nilly, please know this -- I am not an expert. I performed a lot in high school, and some in college. I have a degree in theatre, but I focused on the academic side. Now, I'm involved in community theatre, and (though I admit to being biased) I think Dayton has some of the best around. I'm working on my fourth show right now, a production of Steel Magnolias at Dayton Playhouse (expect future shameless self-promotion). All that to say... I'm not a professional actor. I don't get paid, and while I have an education in theatre, I was not trained in performance. So, take what I say as a general, common-sense, basic approach to auditioning.

Tip #1: Arrive early. That means if you have to look up directions beforehand, or call the box office to find out how to get there, do so before 6:55. The community theatres in Dayton are scattered far and wide, and you could be driving to a part of town you're unfamiliar with. You'll also need to fill out a form with your personal information at most auditions, so allow yourself time for that.

Tip #2: Resumes/head shots are nice, but not required. Don't despair, thinking you won't be cast because you don't have a glossy 8x10 like the actor next to you. And unless a photo is specifically requested, don't bring in that Polaroid of you at the 1995 Oz Fest. If you do happen to have a head shot, then by all means, bring it along. Same goes for an acting resume (emphasis on the acting... a director doesn't need to know you slung hash browns at the Waffle House for six years), but don't stress over this.

Tip #3: Show some respect. Be polite when addressing the director, but also show some courtesy to the other people at the audition. The theatre community is relatively small and tight-knit; chances are the people you're auditioning with are involved at other theatres, in other productions. They may also be in a position of authority on the production you'd like to be cast in (as stage manager, assisstant director, etc.). This is your chance to make connections and leave a lasting impression.

Tip #4: Listen! If you're new at auditioning, you're probably feeling nervous (queasy tummy, clammy hands, chills, and a feeling of faintness -- or, you have malaria). You probably don't want other people talking, laughing, or making snide remarks while you're up there in front of everyone, right? Well, neither does anyone else. When someone else is auditioning, keep your mouth shut. Pay attention, show them respect, and for goodness' sake -- put away the cell phone! Yes, that includes texting. Yes, I'm looking at you. Besides, if you watch carefully, you just might learn something new about the role, or think of a way you'd like to play something differently.

Tip #5: Don't dress like a bum. Most directors won't care that you're not in a three piece suit, and let's face it, most actors are known to have a... unique sense of style, but that's still no reason to come in looking like you just rolled off the couch after a three-day Lord of the Rings marathon. Be comfortable, be yourself, but be put-together. And on a related note: do NOT dress in costume. The director wants to see you, not what you think the character should look like. He/she already has a vision for each and every character, and the fact that you think she should wear pink plastic-framed glasses and a leather corset doesn't matter. If you get cast, you can share your ideas with the director at that time... but even then, it's his/her show, not yours.

Tip #6: Be familiar with the script. No, you don't need to have a Ph.D. in English Literature to audition for a Shakespeare play. However, it might help your audition if you know that "Wherefore art thou, Romeo?" does not refer to said star-crossed lover's location. Having a basic understanding of the script and the characters will not only make for a smoother audition, it will also give you a big confidence boost. This is, however, a double-edged sword. You want to be wary of getting too familiar with the script, or too set in a particular characterization. You want to show that you're flexible, that you can take direction. If you're too enamored with your own interpretation of a script or character, you may find it a lot harder to accept the director's vision.

Tip #7: Have fun! I hate to burst your bubble, but you're not going to get paid for this. It's not likely to win you fame and adulation among your peers. It might get you a mention in the local paper, or a story in the media, and that's definitely cool. But, the reason you're doing this (or the reason you should be doing this) is because it makes you happy. Maybe you want to get more involved in the community, or make new friends, or find a way to break out of your shell. Those are all great reasons, but if you don't love acting, and love theatre, then it's not going to be as fullfilling. Now, if you aren't sure yet whether you love acting, give it a shot! You don't know until you try. I was the most shy girl in school until I got stuck as an extra in the school musical. Two rehearsals in, I had fallen head-over-heels. Nearly fifteen years later (no age jokes), that love still abides.

I hope those tips were helpful for those of you still trying to decide whether to take the plunge and audition. It's an exhillarating and unique experience, and one I promise you won't soon forget! It can also be incredibly nerve-racking, and that's okay. Channel those nerves into giving the most energetic, dynamic audition you possibly can. Know that everyone else is probably as nervous as you, even if they've done this a hundred times. And know that you have just as much of a shot at getting cast as everyone else. If you don't, don't take it personally. Wait for another role that interests you, and try again!!

Also, if you aren't sure how to find out about auditions, the best place to look is the internet. You can find auditions postings for the Guild at the link above, or the Dayton Playhouse here, or Playhouse South here. There's also Brookville Community Theatre, Springfield Stageworks, Town Hall Theatre, and countless others, including local university and acting companies. Use those sites to get you started, and make some connections. Sign up for mailing lists, and get to know board members and volunteers alike. Once you meet a few people in the community, you'll be hearing about auditions every week!

And if you do decide to give it a whirl, and you get cast, let me know! I want to hear all about your community theatre successes. You never know -- we might be walking the boards together one of these days!