SIGHT- READING FOR GOOD PRACTICE

AND FUTURE AUDITIONS

By Chris Palmer

A few things to be aware from the start:

IT IS A SKILL YOU NEED TO PRACTICE REGULARLY!

You need technical preparation, auditions can be pressurised

Show your face and eyes as much as you can. Dont let the script get in the way.

Make sure you get the beginning right.

You must be on the ball at all times- you cant coast through

You dont know how long you will have to look at the text.

Auditioners know that these sessions require skill, perception and textual dexterity. They
are not trying to trick you, but they do want to see how skilful and professional you are.

Take a highlighter pen and dictionary

SCANNING THE TEXT

This means getting your face and eyes off the page. The eyes indicate what is going on in
your mind: and there is more muscular expression in the face than the top of your head!

1. Look at the phrase/ sentence; look up and say it. If you forget it have another go
or do half of it.

2. Hold up the text at chest level dont move your head just your eyes.

3. Look at the first section; make sure that you know it. Take your eyes of the page
And speak the text, when you arrive at an appropriate place look down at the next
section, continue saying the end of section 1 whilst reading section 2, look up and
deliver section 2, continue through this way.

4. LOOK UP AT THE BEGINNING OF A PHRASE OR SENTENCE. The

beginning of a phrase or sentence is where you ask the listener to pay attention.

Written by Chris palmer

MONOLGUES

Look at the shape of the speech

Mark any units or dramatic shifts

1. Mark off the sentences, this will indicate the energy invested in each thought

2. Use your finger to keep your place

3. Look at the quality and texture of the words

4. Is there a journey through the speech?

5. Does the speech have any poetic concepts or rhetorical devises?

6. Are there any repetitions of words/ phrases and why

7. Look at descriptive words/ phrases and use them,, ask why they are there, how
they embellish names, places and images, what is the effect without them.

8. Most sentences have one stressed word which will add shape and value.

DUOLOGUES

Read it all, not just your lines. Note any first impressions

Mark your lines with a highlighter pen

You have to give the reading dramatic value according to the text. You must stay true to
the text- dont invent something to suit you that is not there. If you are not sure of the
dramatic content then ask.

Decide what the dramatic value is. i.e. what makes it interesting. This could be a number
of things, characterisation, conflict, events, story, situation, relationships, atmosphere,
tension, argument, characters attitude, state of mind, nervous, confident, romantic,
status, subtext, style(play) tragedy, comedy, satire, irony, and ALWAYS look for variety!!
Write them on the script to remind you

Written by Chris palmer

LAWS OF COMMUNICATION

Who am I (Simple) name, age, education, religion, health, financial status, job, marital
status, children, where you live,
(Complex) psychological motivations, effects of childhood/puberty/ adolescence,
relationships, self esteem, missions, desires, values.

What am I saying? Look up any words you dont know

Who am I saying it to and what is my relationship with them? This may be to

yourself, to one other person or to the audience.

What do I want? Why am I communicating? What do I hope to achieve, what is my

objective?

How do I get it? This is the psychological manipulation of the situation. What tone of
voice?

What obstacles are in my way? The other person/character, how do I adjust my

attitude/ vocabulary?

What is at stake? What will I lose if my objective is not realised? How much do I value
my goal? Is it merely embarrassing or life threatening?

Where am I? Inside, outside, hot, cold, oppressive, pleasant, colourful, drab, aesthetic,
functional, smelly etc.

What time is it? Year, month, day, hour, period in history and the culture, values and
customs.

Tell the story, dont skate over names or places, you have a relationship to them and see
them. The scene you create has a life before and after, you have come from somewhere
and are going somewhere. Dont start cold and end before youve said the last word.
Analyse the grammar, question marks, exclamation marks, dots, dashes etc.
Assess the level of vocabulary used by your character.
Take note of stage directions e.g. Pete stared at her in disbelief

Written by Chris palmer

Written by Chris palmer