An Audition? I’m Sick!

Even though the school year is ending, there are so many performance opportunities everywhere, all year round, that an argument can be made that there’s no real “audition season.”  One need look no further than the reality competition shows like “The Voice” to realize that auditions are happening in a variety of locations for a variety of reasons.  There are even online auditions nowadays.  And here in west central Florida there are theme parks galore where performers are looking to get parts in shows.

I certainly encourage performers to pursue different auditions wherever and whenever they can.  Obviously the young up-and-comers will find lots more reason to pursue such, meaning, the experience, but even if you’ve “been doing this a while,” remember that even Hollywood actors and actresses need to audition for roles in major motion pictures.

But what happens when you do have an audition coming up and you’re sick?

I once had a client booked for a high-profile audition that was going to be a great opportunity – meaning, both the audition itself as well as where she’d be if they gave her the green light at the conclusion of the audition.  But she got sick.  We really did not want to miss this opportunity.  You also will find that, while maintaining a posture of gratitude, you won’t want to feel like speaking up and asking for special accommodations.  After all, that long line of people behind you wanting to audition is literal – not figurative.

In the above case, we caught a break.  My client was scheduled for a Saturday audition, but they were doing them on Sunday also.  I took the gamble and inquired on her behalf if it could, in fact, be re-scheduled to the next day.  We caught a break with a Yes response.  The extra time allowed my client to do a full court press with hot tea (throat coat) and all the other usual remedies.  The second break came when she showed up the next day.  Although she was feeling somewhat better, she was honest and told the judges that she’d been under the weather and was met by a response of, “Wow, there must be something going around here.  We’ve seen several others today who’ve been battling something.”

By now you’re saying, “Nice story, but what if I can’t get my audition re-scheduled to the next day?”

Indeed, you have to evaluate every opportunity on its own.  If you pass this one up, will the same production be back around soon and you can wait until then?

Certainly, buy yourself as much time as you can so you can get better.  If it’s a submission deadline – where they want you to send in a video – take it down to the wire and focus on getting better and put the stress aside or you’ll just get worse.  But don’t get caught unprepared.  Have something already in the can that you can send in case it gets down to the last day and you’re still not well enough to record something new.  Something (a tad dated) will be better than nothing at all.

Ask questions.  Be honest.  Tell them that you’re under the weather.  Show your commitment to the audition and ask if you can submit a video or even an mp3.  Equally important is to stay in touch with the contact person.  They’re going to have lots (and lots) of other candidates contacting them, so stay on their radar by updating them (without overdoing it) to let them know you’re working toward the audition.  They should recognize and respect your commitment and professionalism.