Welcome back to another exciting academic year! Many departments across the country are gearing up for auditions for the fall productions, and some of those shows may include intimacy, nudity, and/or sexual violence. I wanted to offer some tips and tricks to help your auditions run a little more smoothly. In this two-part blog series, I will be offering guidelines for directors and actors.
The audition flyers have been posted. Time to prepare material and wow the director with your skills. Check out the flyer and see if moments of intimacy, nudity, and/or sexual violence are listed. If not, send the director, stage manager, or point of contact an email to ask if there are any moments of that nature in the show. If you don't feel comfortable reaching out in advance, you can always ask the the audition. In the mean time, try to get your hands on a copy of the script so you can read it in advance and know what roles might require intimacy, nudity, or sexual violence.
Before you get to the audition, know your non-negotiables. What are the things that you are not willing to do? Are they in this play, film, or devised work theme? If so, think about whether or not you really want to audition, and be honest with yourself.
If you are in a program where you are required to audition, make sure to make your boundaries known when the opportunity arises. You are allowed to have boundaries when it comes to your artistic work. If you aren't sure about your comfort level regarding a specific moment of intimacy, it is better to indicate that you would like to discuss this moment should you be cast. Be honest and open about what you are and are not comfortable with.
If you know that the content of the show may be too much for you, it's absolutely okay to opt out of auditioning. There will always be another show.
Break a leg!