My first improv audition was humiliating. I still remember what room it was in, where I was standing, and the jackass that I was paired with. He thought he was so fucking funny. I had no idea what to do, I could feel the blood rush to my ears. So I did what all human beings are programmed to do: I defended myself.
When I later tried out for Washington Improv Theater in 2000, there was only one team, the eponymous WIT. They were holding their first audition, and they gathered around the phone to call me. They were so excited to tell me their decision. I didn’t answer, fearing the worst and not wanting to hear it out loud. I even saw one of the players at Scott Circle the next day and literally ran away.
It has been 25 years since that initial failure—and 18 since my WIT audition success—and I’m still tearing up the improv floorboards. Want to know how I turned my audition experience around?
Improv audition tips to keep in mind next time you’re putting yourself out there
Below is a brief guide to how I managed not to walk away from improv, even after that first audition fail.
Give in, give in, give in
In my first audition, I started by blaming that scene partner. He was saying random stuff, making jokes, disagreeing with me, and fighting—so I protected myself by fighting back.
Well, improv auditions are like quicksand: the more you fight, the faster you’ll sink.
Let’s look at two quotes, wherein I compare myself to Winston Churchill:
About a Nazi invasion: “Never give in—never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty… Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” ― Winston Churchill
About a pretend Nazi invasion: “Always give in—always, always, always, always, in things great or small, large or petty… Always yield to force; always yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” ― Topher Bellavia
No matter what, agree—no matter how challenging the offer is. Otherwise, you’ll fight and start yelling. No one wants to see or hear that. Say “yes” to dumb things, ideas, lines, and people derailing the scene. The worse the offer from your partner, the more you need to give in and say “What you said is AWESOME! Let’s do it!”
Here are some examples of ways you could agree with your partner, even if what they said is antagonistic or ruins the reality of the situation.
Them: Don’t go in that cave!
Wrong: But, the cave is full of jewels!
Right: [Bow] Thank you for saving me from certain death. I am now your servant forever.
Them: Stop digging that hole!
Wrong: But I’m almost to China!
Right: You are so right! Filling it back up sir!
Them: That’s not even a shovel!
Wrong: It is a shovel.
Right: Oh my god! That’s why it wasn’t working!
Them: I hate you!
Wrong: I’m a super cool guy.
Right: I agree, I’m terrible. I don’t wash myself, I’m relatively dumb, and I’m mean to waitresses.
It’s all Zen. If you give in, exist in the moment and agree with reality without judgment, then fighting and negativity cease to be—in the scene, in your heart, and in your mind. That’s when you can have fun with no fear and it becomes free and easy.
You don’t have enough time to build
Make “Super Heavy Handed Specific Initiations.” Enter with a line that:
- You would hear if the action were already going on,
- Mentions a specific place, object, person or any proper noun, and
- Shows how you feel about your partner.
Wrong: “Today I’m going to stab that guy.”
Right: “I don’t care that you’re stabbing me with a pitchfork, I’ve always loved you, Margaret!”
You want to be in the center of the action already. There’s no room for explication
Make a character choice and hold on to it
Show your variety and be the pushy boss or the nervous intern; feel happy, sad, angry and scared; go fast and slow. But, when you make a choice, do not alter your voice, movement style, or attitude mid-scene.
It’s two minutes; we want to know if you can keep your character steady, not if you can show a whole story arc.
Be nice to everyone
What you do when you’re not performing can be just as important as what you do when the spotlight’s on you in an audition.
Before, during, or after the auditions, it’s always best to:
- Laugh on the sidelines (we notice)
- Be super nice to everyone. If you’re not kind to the person taking names, you will not be cast
- Introduce yourself to everyone who is auditioning in your group. It’s nice and allows you to be comfortable with everyone going in
Nobody wants to be on a team with a jerk. By being kind to everyone involved with your audition, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a good sport and a team player.
Break legs
You are already an improv genius. Walk into the audition with full confidence in your improv abilities, and I’m sure you’ll do just fine.
My last small tip is that, if you feel stuck about which choices to make during your audition, you can always fall back on these two actions:
- Mirroring
- Overreacting
Study these, practice these, and then release them from your thinking mind.
I know this will be fun, I hope you agree.
If you’d like more improv audition tips or feel like you could benefit from more personal feedback, check out my workshop, Making Auditions Fun, on Wednesday, September 12, from 7pm to 9pm.
