Kelsey Tyler has a lot of experience with auditions. Both as an actor, Education & Community Programs Director, and as a casting associate for Portland Center Stage.

Chip Conrad, owner of Capitol City Theater, has been holding auditions for prospective comedians for 15 years.

The knowledge shared between the two of them on how to get a foot up on the stage is invaluable to hopeful performers.

According to Tyler, a lot depends on an actor’s audition monologue. When selecting a monologue, it is important to know who you are as an actor, and to stay comfortably within your range, at least at first.

Tyler said, “Don’t make the auditor’s job harder by picking pieces that are a stretch. Actors can serve themselves best by knowing their type, and using it. Pick a role that is easy for the auditor to see you playing. After you build a relationship with a theater/director, then you can try and convince them of your versatility.”

Similarly, auditions are not the time to reveal the frenzied depths of your acting abilities. “Avoid ‘extreme’ pieces,” said Tyler. “Monologues with crying, cursing, yelling, etc. might seem like they show you off, but honestly, the auditors probably see over 100 people in one day, and if everyone is yelling, or crying, or cursing, they will probably just shut down.”

Conrad has slightly different criteria in his comic field, where the most important thing is “to kill.” However, the ability to "kill" seldom comes naturally. He said, “The first thing I look for in someone who is auditioning is experience. Very few people are naturals and an experienced actor is a dedicated actor. The second thing I look for is stage presence. Are you and the audience comfortable when you are on stage? These are the two most successful components I found in my short stint as an auditioning actor and I expect them from my cast.”

However, the best piece of advice that Tyler would give a prospective actor has nothing to do with appearance or monologue. “The key lies in all the moments outside of the actual monologues. This is the actor’s chance to make the auditor want to work with them, so be friendly, professional, sincere, and respect the auditor’s limited time. The audition starts the moment the actor enters the building, so they should treat everyone with respect. You don’t know who that person is signing you up.”

As frustratingly simple as it may sound, the real key to acing an audition is just to be a good performer. To have garnered experience, honed your personality, to have grown your talent, and to be able to demonstrate these things in one minute.

Tyler said, “All the little things matter, but don’t get bogged down with them, or overthink them too much. Come in, be professional, be yourself, and do good work.”