Young Writers Society

This is my first semester in drama and we're auditioning for parts in our play, Flowers for Algernon. I haven't tried out for anything since 5th grade, so I'm really nervous and really excited at the same time. I auditioned today, and a couple people told me I did really well, so that's good. But still, I'm a new student and I tried out for one of the lead roles, so I'm not sure how it'll go.

Anyway, all that to say wish me luck, and any acting tips from fellow thespians out there would be much appreciated!

Good luck, I hope you get the part! And the best advice I can give you is to:

One: Avoid nerves, get friends to practice lines with you and practice being in character. If nothing else, it's lots of fun.

Two: Do not try to sneak a script onto the set for a friend who is freaking out about her lines, especially if you're the fourth person to speak in the entire play. Lol.

Three: Have a flask of water off set so that you can have a drink if your throat is dry or starting to hurt.

Four: Do not let others do your make-up for you unless you trust them and know they wont use too much, too little or the wrong colours.

Five: Probably obvious and already drilled into you but don't turn your back to the audience unless it's for a specific, dramatic effect. Try to make sure they always have a side or front view, preferably side so that it looks more natural.

Good luck! *hands bouquet of flowers*

*gasp*
I just found out that our drama teacher really wants my bf to play the lead! so now i have to get the lead female role because i refuse to let my best friend kiss him on stage! lol.

lol

Good luck! I hope you get the lead female. That would be really awesome if you did.

Have you got it? Do you get to kiss him?

Flowers for Algernon is a great book and I imagine a great play to act in. Is a very difficult lead male role anyway, what with the changing in intelligence and all.

I have no acting tips, but good luck! Hope you get the part you want.

We have one more day of auditioning. Basically, the try-out process is this: Pick a scene and read with as much expression as you can possibly muster. Be loud. Be enthusiastic. Read as often as possible.

So far I've read three times in three days: once for the part I wanted (which was no good because our teacher didn't hear me); once for Charlie's mother (senile, disturbed and angry) and he really liked it - i saw the notes he wrote: "Got my attention! Could do well for Charlie's mother." The other one I auditioned for today was the graduate assistant, who works with Charlie a lot, and I think I did well for that one too.

Anyway, tomorrow's our last day of auditioning, and I plan to try out for Alice again. I'll be louder this time and hopefully that will help, because Flowers for Algernon is such an emotional book that I have no problem sobbing while shouting "I'm trying to pretend I don't care that you exist!" lol.

I don't know if my boyfriend got the part yet, but he's amazing. Seriously, I didn't know he could act that well. When he's in genius-mode, he's angry and volatile just like Charlie. When he's still mentally disabled, at the beginning and end of the book, his voice was so realistic I was seriously concerned for a moment - it was like, "Are you feeling alright?" I hope he gets the part, even if I'm not casted as Alice lol.

Thank you guys for your encouragement and your tips! It's nice to be able to rant about this lol. I don't think I've wanted something so bad for years.

Aw. Luck luck luck! I really hope you get it.

Well, the verdict has been cast (sort of) and I begged and begged my teacher to tell me today what's going on, and....I didn't get the part of Alice. BUT my boyfriend didn't get the part of Charlie either, hehe, so I don't have to worry about stage-kissing any more.

I tried tried TRIED to get him to tell me what MY part in the play is (I was assured that I do have a part) but he wouldn't tell me. So now I have to wait for the cast list on Monday like everyone else. *mopes*

Now I really hope I got the graduate student. That was my second-favorite character.