First Audition? How to Prepare Calmly and Nail Your Performance

Your first audition can feel exciting and a little scary at the same time. You walk into a room (or stand in front of a camera), take a deep breath, and show what you can do. 

Studies show that over 80 percent of professional performers report feeling stage fright at some point. Everyone starts somewhere, and feeling nervous is completely normal. The good news is that preparation helps you feel calm, focused, and ready to do your best.  And you can learn to act through all the nerves and fear!

With a few easy steps, the right mindset, and practice you can walk into your first audition strong, steady, and proud of your work. And with the ability to do your audition no matter what you are feeling or thinking!  But first, what is an audition, exactly?

What an Audition Really Is

An audition is usually a short, focused scene where you show your skills to the people choosing who will perform in a  movie, show, play, or some form of content. Most auditions today are self-tape auditions – you record yourself.  Usually you will record an introduction of yourself called a slate, then record yourself performing the required scene or material. It’s a chance for producers and casting directors to see how you bring a character and the  story to life.

Auditions do come in many forms.

• Acting auditions will usually ask you to read a scene from a script.

• Singing auditions usually involve singing part of a song.

• Dance auditions have you follow a short routine.

• Voice auditions may ask you to read a short speech into a microphone.

Each type gives you a few minutes to show what makes your performance unique.

You don’t have to be perfect. There actually is no “perfect” in art!  It is not about getting anything “right”!  What matters most is that you are honest and able to have your actual personality spontaneously reveal itself.

If you’re wondering how to prepare for an audition, start by learning what kind of audition it is and what’s expected. Some auditions give you materials ahead of time—like a monologue or a short scene. You can find practice scripts for auditions online or in acting books to help you get used to reading different roles. Practicing these at home helps you get comfortable performing in front of others.

Remember, an audition is not a test—it’s a skill and an art. You’re showing people you understand the craft of acting and you are displaying your practiced skill set. Take your time, breathe, and focus on the specific action that you are playing – the thing that you are trying to get from your scene partner. Each audition helps you grow and builds your confidence for the next one.

Why We Feel Nervous Before Performing

Feeling nervous before performing is very common. Even professional actors, singers, and dancers often feel this way.. Your body reacts this way because it wants to help you focus. When you feel nervous, your heart beats faster, your hands might sweat, and your thoughts start racing. It’s your body’s way of getting ready to do something important.

Before you perform, your brain sends signals that make you alert and awake. That’s why your stomach might feel funny or your voice feels shaky. 

These feelings don’t mean you’re unprepared—they mean you care about doing well. Everyone experiences it, and the good news is that you can train yourself to stay calm.

Here are a few things that help:

• Breathe slowly. Take a deep breath through your nose, then let it out through your mouth.

• Move your body. Stretch your arms, shake your hands, or roll your shoulders to release tension.

• Focus on your Action. Make sure you have chosen something very specific that you are actually trying to do to your scene partner – this is what saves you from self-obsession – losing yourself in the other person!

The most important aspect of  how to calm nerves before an audition is to have a strong understanding of your craft. Which means you need to be practising/training on a regular basis with someone who understands the art of auditioning and acting.  You can find this in  an audition technique class. In these classes, you practice performing in front of others and learn the craft.

Once you practice the craft on a regular basis, you’ll come to understand that nerves and fear are good and workable!  You don’t have to get rid of these very human experiences, you just have to learn to act through them.  Watching a real human being overcome a real struggle is what makes the art of acting so mesmerizing!

There are many things that you can’t control in an audition, but you can control how you prepare and how you train.. You can practice having the attitude that all your feelings are workable (which they are!) and that you are bound and determined to get what you want in the scene! 

The Power of Practice and Preparation

Preparation gives you confidence. When you know your material well, and you understand the skill of auditioning,  you can relax and enjoy the performance. Audition preparation is not about doing everything perfectly—it’s about understanding the art and practising very specific skills.  These skills include learning to go after what you want in the other person by acting on the impulse of what you actually see; learning to articulate an Action that you can truly go after and it has its test in the other person, and learning to create a very specific As-If situation for the scene that you are playing so it becomes very personal to you..

For extra help, look into audition technique classes in your area or online. A good class, which can take some trial and error to find, will teach you the above-mentioned skills in a practical manner based on what works in the real world of professional acting You’ll also meet other performers who are learning, just like you! .

Preparation builds confidence, and confidence helps you shine.

How to Stay Calm and Shine in Your First Audition

You’ve practiced, learned your lines, and picked your outfit. Now it’s time for the big moment — your first audition. Remember – feeling excited and a little nervous is completely normal and will add to the unique illusion of character that you are creating in your audition. Everyone, from beginners to professionals, feels that way before performing. The good news is that there are simple, clear ways to stay calm and give your best performance.

Here’s how to feel ready, stay focused, and shine when it counts.

1. Start with the Right Mindset

Remember, an audition is your chance to show what you’ve learned, not a test to pass or fail.  Warm up with an As-If improv to get yourself active and engaging with your imagination in a non self-centered manner.  Then re-state what your specific action is for that scene – this is what you are determined to go after no matter what!

Keep these ideas in mind:

• Keep coming back to the action. When you start to get stuck in your head, or lost in the futile attempt to control your nerves, just keep coming back to that other person and what you are trying to get from them.  Remember it’s all about the other!

• Everything is workable. As long as you keep coming back to the other and what you want from them, all so called “mistakes” actually become the most riveting parts of your performance!

The action you are playing for the scene can become a  mantra, “Get a loved one’s forgiveness”  or “Put a jerk in their place.”  If you get lost, you can say this to yourself and get back to actually doing it!

Having a positive mindset is a big part of acting through fear. It means you perform even if you feel nervous. Fear doesn’t stop you — it just becomes part of your energy. When you accept that, you actually begin to welcome the fear, because you understand that people want to watch you actually act through real fear – this is what the art of acting is all about!

2. Use Calm Breathing to Settle Your Body

Your body often feels nervous before your brain does. Maybe your hands shake or your heart races. This happens because your body wants to help you focus. You can steady it with slow breathing.

Try this easy exercise:

1. Sit or stand tall.

2. Breathe in through your nose for four counts.

3. Hold it for one count.

4. Breathe out slowly through your mouth for six counts.

Do this three or four times before you perform. This is one of the best ways to learn how to calm nerves before an audition. Slow breathing sends a message to your body that you’re safe and ready.

You can also use small movements to release tension. Roll your shoulders, shake out your arms, or gently stretch your neck. These simple steps can help you feel loose and focused.

3. Be Fully Prepared

Confidence grows from good preparation. The more you know your material, and understand the craft of acting, you will become more accepting of whatever you are feeling, so called “good” or so called “bad”l. That’s why audition preparation starts long before you record your audition.

Here are helpful steps to follow:

• Know your material. Learn your lines, rote, with no inflection.  This way you’ll be able to truly act in the moment and not get stuck in pre-planned line readings

• Understand what your character is literally doing. What is the character literally doing in the scene?  Is the character a detective attempting to get someone to confess?  A husband apologizing and explaining himself to his wife?  In a very objective manner, you need to understand what the character is literally doing

 

• Choose an action you will play. This is what you are really going to do in the scene – not pretend to do, but actually do!  So if my character is the detective trying to get someone to confess, I might play the action of “Get someone to do the right thing”.

 

• Create an As-If. This is where you make the action very personal to you.  So if my action were to “Get someone to do the right thing” then my As-If might be, “It’s as if my best friend is thinking of cheating on his wife and I’m attempting to get him to do the right thing and call off the affair”.

If you’re an actor, it helps to use practice scripts for auditions. You can find these online or in acting books. Reading new scenes keeps the above skills sharp and helps you get used to different types of scenes and dialogue.

Good preparation also includes small details like your clothes, a rehearsal game plan and setting up your technical equipment.

4. Warm Up Before You Perform

A short warm-up helps your body and voice work smoothly. You don’t need anything fancy — just a few minutes to get ready.

Here’s a quick routine you can try:

• Stretch: Reach your arms up high, roll your shoulders, and shake out your legs.

• Voice: Hum gently, then say tongue twisters like “Red leather, yellow leather.”

• Face: Move your mouth and eyebrows in funny ways to relax your face muscles.

• Focus: Close your eyes, take two slow breaths, and think about the first line you’ll say.

These simple steps help your body feel strong and your voice sound clear. If you’re singing or dancing, warm up those muscles, too. A good warm-up keeps your energy steady and helps you stay calm when it’s your turn.

5. For a Live, In Person Audition – Step into the Room with Confidence

When it’s time for a live, in person audition, walk in with quiet confidence. Stand tall, make eye contact, and say hello politely. Most people in the room want you to do well — they’re cheering for you more than you might think.

Here’s a quick checklist for entering the room:

• Smile and say your name clearly.

• Hand over your headshot or resume if asked.

• Wait for a signal before you start.

• Mentally, taste your As-If and state your action clearly to yourself before starting your first line or move.

If something goes wrong, stay on your action!. Maybe you forget a line or stumble on a word — that’s okay. Keep going. What matters most is that you keep coming back to that one honest thing that you set out to do.  Remember – they want to see your actual humanity!

This type of poise comes from practice. Many students build it through audition technique classes, where teachers walk you through what happens in real auditions. You can practice walking in, slating your name, and responding to feedback. The more familiar the process feels, the more relaxed you’ll be.

6. Use Smart Focus During Your Performance

Once you start performing, it’s easy to think too much — Am I doing this right? or What are they thinking? Instead, keep your focus on the action that you are playing – what you are trying to get from the other person.

Some tips to stay focused:

• If you get lost, mentally state your specific action and get back to it!.

• Look the reader/other person in the eye – if your action is very specific, you will usually fall right back into actually doing it!

• Always tell the truth; it’s the easiest thing to remember.

These habits take practice but make a huge difference in your confidence. The more you focus on doing, the less you’ll get trapped in thinking

7. Handle Feedback With an Open Mind

Sometimes, after your audition, you’ll get feedback or a request to try your scene again in a different way. This is a good thing! It means they see potential in you.

When this happens:

• Listen carefully to what they say.

• Take a short moment to think.

• Try the new direction with energy and openness.

Don’t worry if you don’t get everything perfect. Showing that you can take direction well is part of what they look for. This skill is a key part of preparing for a professional audition because professionals know how to adapt quickly and work with others.

If you don’t get a callback or the role, don’t take it personally. Auditions involve many factors you can’t control. What you can control is your growth and attitude. Every time you audition, you gain experience and improve.

8. Celebrate Your Effort

After your audition, take a moment to recognize what you accomplished. You prepared, you showed up, and you performed — that’s something to be proud of! Many performers forget to celebrate small wins, but those moments matter. Treat yourself to something nice, like a favorite snack or a short walk outside. Then, make a few notes about what went well and what you’d like to work on next time.

Learning how to stay calm and confident in auditions takes practice, but it gets easier. Each experience teaches you something new about yourself. Over time, you’ll find your rhythm, trust your process, and enjoy performing even more.

Quick Summary: How to Shine Calmly at Your First Audition

• Prepare early and know your material well.

• Use breathing to stay calm and steady.

• Warm up your body and voice.

• Focus on the action, not your nerves and feelings.

• Take feedback with a good attitude.

• Celebrate your effort after it’s over.

These simple steps help you build confidence and focusl. You’ll walk into your next audition feeling calm, capable, and ready to shine.

And remember — the best acting tips often come from experience. Keep practicing, learning, and growing. You’ve got everything it takes to learn the skill and soar!

Conclusion

Your first audition is a big step, and it shows courage. The more you practice, prepare, and understand the craft of acting, the more relaxed you’ll feel. Stay positive, breathe deeply, and remember that every audition is a chance to learn and grow. 

When you walk in ready and calm, you’re already a success. Keep practicing, stay focused, and believe in your work. You’ve got this!

For more helpful tools and guidance, check out PATH by Greg Sims to keep improving your performance skills, understanding the art of auditioning and growing in power and  confidence!

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I arrive for a live, in person audition?

Arrive about 15–20 minutes early. This gives you time to sign in, warm up, and relax before your turn.

What should I wear to an audition?

Wear clean, simple clothes that let you move comfortably. Avoid busy patterns and keep your hair out of your face.  The clothes should be evocative of the character but don’t wear a costume

How long should my audition piece be?

Most auditions ask for a short piece—about one minute for a monologue or 16 bars for a song.

What if I forget my lines during an audition?

Take a small pause, breathe, and continue. Keep going with confidence. The most important thing is staying on your Action.

How can I keep improving between auditions?

Keep practicing! Take acting and audition classes, join a local theater community, and use your phone to record and practice whenever you want!