Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide

by Joanna Merlin

Book Overview

Theater veteran and acting teacher Joanna Merlin has written the definitive guide to auditioning for stage and screen, bringing to it a valuable dual perspective. She has spent her career on both sides of the auditioning process, both as an award-winning casting director who has worked with Harold Prince, Bernard Bertolucci, and James Ivory, and as an accomplished actor herself. In this highly informative and accessible book, Merlin provides everything the actor needs to achieve self-confidence and artistic honesty-from the most basic practical tips to an in-depth framework for preparing a part. Filled with advice from the most esteemed people in the business, such as James Lapine, Nora Ephron, and Stephen Sondheim, and charged with tremendous wisdom and compassion, this indispensable resource will arm the reader to face an actor's greatest challenge- getting the part.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375725377
• ISBN13: 9780375725371
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

It's great for auditioning Actors

This book is a great tool for the auditioning Actor, it puts everything into perspective. An easy quick read with tons of great advice and information you always should have known.

Great for nervousness

Before I read this, I had a big problem with my confidence as well as with everything else. But this book really helped me believe in myself, believe it or not.

Great Advice!

This is a great book to read for actors! It tells you how to deal with nervousness and, turn it into a positive feeling for you to work with. This book has helped me out a lot. And, now, I know what to expect and, how to get through my next audition, with flying colors!

A useful book for serious actors

As a professional, working actor, I found this book inspiring. Whether you are a beginner, or someone who in a slump, or just someone wanting to keep her edge while waiting for the next auditon call, this book can help. There are sections on auditioning for stage, film and musical theatre...and there are definitely differences in those auditons.

Real-life tips from a working pro

I've read dozens of books on acting, and Audition is one of the best. Ms. Merlin, who originated the role of the mother in Fiddler on the Roof, packs a great deal of useful advice taken from her decades as a professional (read: paid) actor and casting director, and her thorough knowledge of the industry (both film and theater) comes through on every page. More than a book about auditioning, Audition covers all aspects of the acting profession. Most valuable to me was the chapter on acting choices, which outlines in the clearest terms I've ever seen how to analyze a scene for acting by using Merlin's nine steps. Also welcome is her firm but loving admonishments that we actors need to hear. It's like having the perfect Jewish mother give you advice on your acting career. Nu?