Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide

by Joanna Merlin, Harold Prince (Foreword)

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.

Genres: Theatre, Nonfiction, School

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2001

Reviews

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may not be a book about how to deal with anxiety as it relates to the entertainment industry - but it's a huge help in managing it a little better. I'm sure the amount of actors who suffer from mild to severe anxiety is no small number. I have it, and I know several friends who have it in some form. This book goes into all the different ways actors tend to struggle with auditions and helped me understand I wasn't alone in having what I thought were completely wild and out there fears. I think every actor who even just has that little "but what if?" demon on their shoulder would benefit from reading this.

When it brings up how we worry at auditions, it's not just generic basic statements such as being afraid you won't get the part. It goes into the specifics and breaks down what exactly makes us think that - how we overthink what we do, what we think the casting director wants, assuming someone else in the room will get the part because of xyz, etc.

It also covers other aspects of auditioning and how to prepare for them, including:

- Accepting that nobody's best work will be at an audition, and that's okay.

- Taking the risk on roles that you feel strongly about, and auditioning for them even if you're not within the exact guidelines they're asking for, like age or height.

- Dissecting a script and how to make choices based on what you learn from it.

This is just scratching the surface of what's in here, it's such a great reference guide to have. It's the first book I've ever taken a highlighter to, and I recommend doing the same so you can re-read whatever sections are most relevant to you when you have an audition coming up.

[Marcellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should just keep this book on my shelf of "Currently Reading" as I am constantly using it as a reference when I have an audition. It's very helpful and has virtually everything you'd want to know about how to auditioning from the viewpoint of a casting director. What better way to NAIL all future auditions?

[H. Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just gave it a thorough skim, since I'm not an actor and don't plan to become one, but it was interesting to hear about the process, and a lot of it is good advice for other situations. The parts about performance and walking into an audition are readily applicable to anxiety surrounding job interviews or other work situations, and the parts about getting into a character and understanding a scene make a lot of sense from a writing perspective.

[Stephy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended by my acting/auditioning teacher (and past director). This was really helpful im glad I read it... however.... I did read it AFTER my audition so that was kind of... awkward... but nonetheless I did learn a lot more to improve on future auditions if I actually go into this business in the future.... anyways... if you’re an aspiring actor and need help with auditions... take an auditioning class and then read this book....

[Mariette · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time I read this book I was a senior in college dreaming of living in NYC pursuing acting. Here I am, 20 years later, in NYC as a working actor rereading this book because auditioning is my job. Some sections are slightly outdated (mainly because all on-camera auditions are self-tapes), but if you’re just beginning in this career or, like me, branching into different roles, read this book for inspiration and set by step applicable audition advice.

[Dean Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent audition book which expanded on ideas and concepts that I have already learned from performing school. Our lady of the casting table really knows what she’s talking about- and provides a sympathetic view of the audition process, considering she was once herself and actress of the stage.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd read through (I believe the last time I read it was over five years ago).

A really good handbook on auditioning, that starts with how to approach the script, as well has how to prepare for and conduct yourself in various types of auditions. Includes the rules on musical auditions, filmed auditions, and how to choose and perform monologues. Absolutely jam packed with good advice!

[Chelsea Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book about auditioning that felt clear, direct, and attainable. It felt very in touch with how actors feel and it addressed aspects of auditioning that many other books gloss over. Some of the information was a bit outdated, but nonetheless I loved it and it left me feeling very inspired

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think people who are goodreads purists that only put novels on here are silly. manga is ok. stuff like this is ok. its all reading

that being said ive been in theater for a long rime and still learned a lot even though my show's auditioning process is Odd

[Mazie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read and encouraging little book. I found it to be insightful, with great technique tips, and a large focus on confidence, which I have found to be the key to great auditions as well. Loved my first read of 2025!

[Patrycja · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on the art of auditioning there is!

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not generally crazy about how-to books, but this was well done. Merlin, who understand the perspective of both actors and casting agents, has written an upbeat, but not too perky, guide to auditioning. She covers a variety of audition situations: straight plays, musicals, television, and film. She addresses both the cattle-call type of audition and more individual situations.

There's plenty of good advice here. My only minor caveat would be that this aimed at professional actors and doesn't really consider the minor differences that you would encounter in community theater situations. Still, most of the advice transfers.

[Lia Aprile · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first chapter of this book she gives a description of all the crazy head-trips actors give themselves about walking into an audition room, and by the end of it I was giggling insanely at how TOTALLY UNORIGINAL my own neurosis is. She was so on target--as an actor and casting director and teacher, I hope she would be. Obviously no book on auditioning can really shake up auditions for you, but this certainly got me excited about examining my own self-sabotaging audition habits. And I'm also just a sucker for audition stories...I could read about those all day.

[Lindsii · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of the information is stuff I've learned in my classes, but there was some really useful information in this book. What I liked the most about this book was how optimistic and friendly it was. Many of the acting and auditioning books I've read seem to be very cynical with a "quit-now" attitude. This was a refreshing change.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, heartfelt book with excellent advice on auditioning. Merlin's effective techniques not only helped me with the auditioning process, but also with my acting in general. It's definitely a must-read for any aspiring actor.

[Andi LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! Fascinating. I have never felt so described, so understood. This book should be a bible for all starting actors. Full of commitment and empathy. I enjoy this as a brand new toy. Inspiring. Every page is an amazing discovery.

[Goody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike many books written for aspiring actors, Merlin's strong voice rides on pithy, well-crafted arguments; it is good.

[Laura Pancham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that prepared me for auditions that I would later go on. It covers monologues, auditioning for the camera, auditioning for musicals, and much, much more.