Whether it’s an in-person audition or a self-tape at home or in a studio, many actors are constantly battling nerves. Your stomach is in knots, hands are clammy, and you can hear the sound of your heartbeat reverberating throughout your entire body. If it’s happened to you, then you know that it’s not fun. The worst part is, those nerves can get so out of control that they ruin your audition!

So how’s an actor supposed to stay cool under audition pressure? Most acting coaches and casting directors agree it comes down to your mindset, your body, and your preparation. The most important thing is to anticipate your audition anxiety and have a plan in place to power through it. Read on for 7 tips to inspire you!

7 tips for acting audition success

NOW is the time to work on improving your audition skills - and that goes way beyond the performance factor. If you struggle with nerves, or just feel like you could be showing up more confident and prepared than you have in the past, this is for you! We all have things to work on and getting a game plan for staying cool, calm, and collected when auditioning is often the first step to making a big difference. Here are 7 things you can do to help keep your cool at auditions.

1. Prep your materials well in advance. The last-minute scramble of gathering headshots, resumes, sides, and anything else you need to audition can put you on edge and feeling off your game. But you absolutely have the ability to make that moment of panic non-existent. Have your materials ready to go (and in your car or audition bag) so you don't have to worry about it.

2. Practice breathing techniques before you audition. Keep that heart rate slow and steady. Keep your breath even and deep. Staying aware of your breath and maintaining a consistent in-and-out can help keep your body and mind calm, making sure that those jitters don't affect your performance.

3. Don't skip out on eating before your audition. I don't care if you're auditioning in a swim suit for a beach party scene, you need to eat before you audition. Without the proper nutrition and energy, you are more likely to feel weak or faint, get distracted, and worst of all - start acting "hangry". Take care of yourself. Eat.

4. Flip the script on the audition process. Switch up your thought process. You are partners with your agent and the casting team. All of you are working together for the same goal. Everyone wants you to succeed.

5. Take your medications. If you're prescribed meds, take them. Right before an audition is not the time to break from your typical routine or mix things up. If you take medication that impacts your mood, emotional, or mental state, make sure you're following the doctors orders.

6. Hype yourself up before your audition. Get excited! Auditions are what we do. You've trained and worked hard to audition, and now you get the chance to play and flex those skills with this new material. Say those affirmations, rock out to the playlist that makes you feel confident, whatever you need to own your power.

7. Remember that you have everything you need to do this. There is a place for every actor in the industry. No matter what you look like, sound like, what types you play, where you come from, etc. That fact has been confirmed again and again by casting directors across the country. Most auditions don't equal a booking, but you never know when the right one will arrive.

what casting directors want you to know

So often, actors view casting directors as scary and intimidating, when the truth is, they want actors to succeed! I chatted with Sara Eckman, a casting producer at Stilwell Casting in Atlanta, Georgia about her thoughts on actors and nerves during auditions. She said that confidence is what really works when you’re in the room for commercial auditions. The actors who are too hard on themselves tend to let their nerves get the best of them and often don’t perform as well as others. Sara always wants her actors to actually have fun and relax when auditioning with Stilwell and hopes that more actors will be kind to themselves. Casting directors can sense desperation from a mile away, so focusing on a positive mindset is crucial to success.

While it is important to fulfill your end of the deal as a professional actor by showing up prepared, it’s also important to trust yourself and be kind to yourself. Everyone wants you to succeed, so get out of your own way and let your light shine. Even better, make Sara’s day and crush your audition so hard it feels like you just dropped the mic. 

Listen to the full podcast episode with special guest, casting producer, Sara Eckman over at It’s a Slate of Mind. If you learned something from this episode, please share it with a friend who you think would love it too! When our community of actors is strong, we all win. If you want to connect with our community, head on over to Instagram @itsaslateofmind or @alisonhaselden.