Theatrical Acting Auditions (Film/TV)
When you hear the term theatrical auditions, what kind of acting auditions do you think that means?
You probably think of theatrical as defined by Mirriam-Webster – “of or relating to the theater or the presentation of plays.” So theatrical acting auditions should be auditions for theatre or for a play. Right?
I know when I first came to L.A., that is what I thought when I heard of theatrical acting auditions.
But in Los Angeles, when you hear the term theatrical audition, it is typically not referring to an audition for theatre.
So, what is a theatrical audition in Los Angeles?
In Los Angeles, a theatrical audition refers to any audition for a television show or film. This includes acting auditions for tv shows, pilots for tv shows, videos, movies, short films, student films, low-budget films, educational films, and industrial films.
And a theatrical agent in L.A. is a talent agent who represents clients for theatrical auditions and jobs, meaning film and tv auditions and jobs.
In L.A., the term theatrical audition is not used to refer to theatre auditions at all. Theatre auditions are called “legitimate” auditions, or maybe theatre, stage, or equity auditions.
There is not a lot of professional theatre here in L.A., so there are not many legitimate (professional theatre) auditions. If you are really interested in working professionally in theatre, New York is a much better location for you.
And you won’t find any agents that just represent people for theatre (legitimate) here in L.A. There just would not be enough work for them to survive. Many agents represent clients across a number of different categories, and legitimate is often one of those categories.
Other acting auditions that are not included in the category theatrical in L.A. are commercial auditions, voice-over auditions, modeling auditions, print auditions, and variety (personal appearances, music, comedy, improv, etc.) auditions.
When preparing for theatrical acting auditions, typically there are sides (lines) from one or more scenes that you must obtain and rehearse before your auditions. Some theatrical auditions include improvisation, meaning that you must make it up yourself as you go.
For additional information about what happens at theatrical auditions, refer to “What Happens at Movie Auditions for Kids?”
For more information on this and many other topics related to acting in L.A., subscribe to Your Young Actor’s Newsletter. You’ll also get a free mini-course on getting started in show business.
To your success,
Debbie Sikkema
14 comments
6 pings
Maria says:
June 23, 2009 at 9:07 pm (UTC -8)
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June 26, 2009 at 4:21 am (UTC -8)
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How I Make $300 a Day Posting Links Online says:
June 30, 2009 at 3:14 pm (UTC -8)
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mark from best bunn coffee makers says:
July 3, 2009 at 1:33 pm (UTC -8)
I had no idea that theatrical auditions were for TV because it obviously sound like they would be for the theater only. I would have been very lost!
Anthony says:
July 8, 2009 at 2:39 pm (UTC -8)
I could see how someone new to the industry could be really confused and set off by this terminology. You think the industry would make it more clear.
Brigitte says:
August 6, 2009 at 8:29 am (UTC -8)
Geez, I will be one of those who will be lost in the entertainment industry jargon…thanks for the post. I just signed up for your newsletter and I am already learning a lot….
Debbie Sikkema says:
August 10, 2009 at 10:14 am (UTC -8)
Hi Brigitte,
Thanks for signing up to my list. Glad you are learning from my site and my mini-course on getting started in acting.
Debbie
Mike from Rugby DVD says:
August 29, 2009 at 11:04 pm (UTC -8)
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Bill from Carrollton Real Estate says:
September 1, 2009 at 12:42 am (UTC -8)
Acting is much difficult than we think. I also used to think when I heard about Theatrical Acting but in recent times I’ve started to realize that the TV shows we watch are also a form of theater. You used the word ‘legitimate’ very intelligently since there are a lot of fake ones going around which may harm you or take lots of cash from you for making them a star. How do you differ a legitimate one from a fake one? It’s a serious question.
Free Movies says:
September 5, 2009 at 8:06 pm (UTC -8)
Great post! It should really help out all those young actors and actresses out there!
George from Watch Afro Samurai says:
September 10, 2009 at 3:27 am (UTC -8)
I’ve been following your articles for some time now. They are really great, and interesting reads. By the way, absolutely love KeywordLuv!
Used Cargo Trailers says:
October 6, 2009 at 8:32 pm (UTC -8)
Theatrical acting very typical but after some time is to come very easily. such as when I heard of theatrical acting auditions on starting time…
Daniel from Spanish Translations says:
October 26, 2009 at 6:18 am (UTC -8)
A very informative article for a webmaster in my field. This difference between “theatrical acting auditions” is quite new for me and an interesting topic.
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January 22, 2012 at 6:02 am (UTC -8)
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