What is the Proper etiquette for Auditions and Working?

Q: What is the proper etiquette when it comes to auditioning and working? What do my child and I need to be mindful of?

A: Here’s a great list of points to remember that will keep you prepared and looking professional:

AUDITIONS:

•  Ask your agent what clothing is appropriate.

• Don’t forget pictures, your resumé, and anything else you’ve been asked to bring.

• Check in with whomever you need to.

• Be mindful of other actors preparing for their auditions, but don’t socialize with them. Concentrate on you! (Without being rude of course.)

• For callbacks, don’t change your child’s clothes/appearance. Why tamper with what worked?

ON THE JOB

•  Know the rules and regulations regarding the employment of minors. You’re responsible for your child’s safety and welfare!

• Bring your child’s social security card, work permit, and identification number as well as any other required information or documentation.

• Sign the contract before your child begins work. Speak to your agent if you have any questions/concerns about it.

• Bring at least three hours of schoolwork if your child is being tutored on set.

IN GENERAL:

•  Be professional and courteous.

• If there is informational material available ahead of time, get it and be VERY familiar with it!

• Know exactly where you have to be well before the appointment date. It never hurts to check it out beforehand, including parking options, etc.

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early! You’ll be surprised to realize how much more relaxed you and your child will feel when you’re not rushing.

• Only you and your child should attend the audition. Don’t bring other children, relatives, pets, etc.

• Never leave your child unattended, but don’t get in the way of the set and its workers.

• Speak up if you are concerned about anything. You can always speak to an agent or the union under whose jurisdiction you’re working.

12 Steps to Success When Auditioning for Commercials

You’ve gone on so many commercial calls, but you are not booking the job. Take a look at my 12 simple commercial guideposts to see what may be missing so you can nail your next audition.

1. Energy. Pay attention to the sales clerk the next time you go to buy something. Would you rather make a purchase from someone who is enthusiastic or just “ho-hum” about their product? You want to make the sale in your audition, so turn it on!

2. Natural and Conversational. Read the copy as if you are talking to your best friend. Make sure you are sincere, honest, and believable. Now add energy and you’re two steps closer to landing the job.

3. Smile. This should go without saying, but smiling will take you a long way in this business. Allow your charisma and personality to shine through.

4. Color. Use your voice to paint a colorful picture. Use your adjectives to highlight what makes the product special.

5. Variety. Change it up. Find the highs and lows. Where can you be soft spoken? Louder? Secretive? Sexy? Get the idea?

6. Inflection. You can go up or down or stay the same. Pitching down can sometimes be a boring or negative choice. Try pitching up at your next audition to brighten your read.

7. Product Name. This is perhaps the most important thing you will say. Make sure it stands out and is clear and highlighted.

8. Warmth and Humor. The company may be hiring you to be the spokesperson for their product. Be likeable and genuine. Find a moment to bring some humor into your audition. Advertising sells to the consumer. What better way than with wit, charm, and a bit of fun.

9. Articulation. Diction, diction, and better diction. Practice with tongue twisters so you can warm up the muscle before you audition.

10. Turnaround. What is life like before the product is introduced and what is it like after? Be mindful of words such as "and," "because," "then," "but," "so," etc. This is where the change up occurs and can be demonstrated.

11. Focus. Where are you looking? Hopefully into the camera, if that is where you are directed. Memorize the first and last lines so you are looking up and are present. In the first line you reel them in and capture their attention. The last line is what you leave them with. Make an impression.

12. Have Fun. If you are not having fun, it may be time to go back to your day job!

The next time the commercials come on while you are watching your favorite TV show, don’t get up. Watch and see what tips from this list you can spot and how they make the message resonate for you.

How to Deal With the Stress of a Last-Minute Self-Tape for Your Child Actor

You just received a message from your rep that your child has an audition…tomorrow. Because auditions have been slow, you are excited about the opportunity for your child. But then you realize it’s actually a self-tape with 12 pages of memorized material due in the next 24 hours. Your child isn’t even home from school yet and you’re already stressed because, on top of this self-tape, he also has a test tomorrow he needs to study for.

This stressful situation can be painful for both parents and young actors. To make it all a little easier, there are a few things you can do as a parent of a child actor:

Be prepared with equipment. 
Self-tapes are very popular today so make sure you have a home setup for tapings. Even though your child will have to memorize and be prepared with the material, if you’re prepared to tape at home with lights, backdrop, and camera equipment, you won’t have to make last-minute calls looking for a studio. It will also be helpful if you/your child knows how to upload the scene onto a computer to be sent off quickly.

Oh, and be sure your printer is working so you can have the sides handy—along with a highlighter—to start the memorization process.

Ask for help.
Parental anxiety and the desires to have your child nail the audition will stress your kid out and can get in the way of their best performance. If that’s true for your family, remove yourself from the mix and use a coach or taping studio. As an acting coach who does many tapings a week, I get last-minute calls all the time and will always try to accommodate young actors if I can, even taping clients at 10 p.m. if necessary.

If there isn’t time for a live coaching session, consider a Skype lesson with a coach to get some tips on the scene to make the taping smoother. Find a mentor you can trust and count on for moments like these.

Think outside the box.
If your child is a good student and has good attendance, you may want to consider letting them tape in the morning and head to school late. Discuss the situation with the school ahead of time to let them know your child is pursuing an acting career and ask for allowances. If the school agrees, it will take some of the pressure off. If your child is auditioning regularly and seems stressed, you may want to revisit the schooling situation to make sure it’s working for everyone.

Breathe and let go of perfectionism. 
Remind your child that this is all supposed to be fun, satisfying, and gratifying. Casting directors don’t expect perfection, especially when a young actor is asked to prepare many pages on short notice. The instructions say actors should memorize the material but if that is just not possible, instruct your child to become very familiar with the material. Then, he can glance at the script off to the side if he stumbles over the lines.

Ask for an extension. 
In some situations, you may be able to request an extension. Extensions aren’t always available but if you don’t ask, you will never know. Speak to your rep and explain the situation. An extra day could make all the difference.

Turn down the audition. 
Is it worth the aggravation? If your child has been very committed and never turns down an audition, weigh this decision carefully. Ask yourself how important this one is. Discuss this option with your child, then your agent and manager so you can make a choice together. It’s not wise to set a precedent of missing auditions but declining one or two will not be harmful if the situation is impossible.

The industry is using self-tapes so much these days and it’s a trend I don’t see slowing down anytime soon. Preparing for situations like these is wise. Be ready to move quickly and help your child do their best. Check in with your child to make sure they understand the commitment and that they’re still on board. Working hard under pressure is tough, especially when there’s no guarantee of a callback or booking so be sure to celebrate their hard work in other ways.

Where to Look During an Audition

You’ll hear lots of conflicting advice about where to put your focus when you audition. Do you look at space? The auditor? An empty chair? There are no hard and fast rules, so it can be confusing. The type of audition also impacts this decision, as well as the preferences of the person conducting the audition.

Let’s break this thorny question down. First, if you’re auditioning with a song for musical theater, it’s standard procedure to focus your eyes directly over the head of the auditor. As you gaze there, create a world in your mind that fits with the message of the song, whether it’s thinking of your grandmother or your first love. In musical theater, actors are expected to create a world and focus their singing and acting to people in that invisible world.

For film, television, or stage, you’ll audition with a scene or monologue. Auditioning with a reader for a scene is pretty straightforward: Look at the reader and create a connection with him or her. It is essential to maintain a focused connection with your reader for the entire audition so you have something real to react to. 

The choice of where to focus is most challenging when you’re auditioning with a monologue since you’re essentially speaking to an invisible person. Some young actors look at the floor or up at the ceiling, which can make it a challenge to create an emotional connection. Others look directly at the auditor, which can also be a problem.

READ: 9 Elements of a Great Monologue

I’ve spoken to many casting directors and audition auditors who feel uncomfortable when an actor focuses directly on them during a monologue. The auditor has to take notes, perhaps looks through paperwork, and maybe even whisper feedback to another person and breaking eye contact with an auditioning actor to do so can feel odd. When I’m casting a production, I want to be wowed and impressed by the performance, and it’s difficult to evaluate a performance if I’m part of the scene.

As a general rule, I coach my students to look just over the head of the casting director when auditioning with a monologue. In practice sessions, I start with them speaking directly to me so they have someone to relate to and as they become more confident, have them shift their focus to the space directly above my head. They must imagine they’re speaking to a real person, just one who isn’t in the audition room. 

All that said, it is important to be prepared to make a different choice. Some casting directors will ask performers to look at them directly and do the audition with them. And a few monologues are written with the intention of breaking the fourth wall and should be spoken directly to the audience. (You’ll know if you have such a monologue before you go to the audition so that you can prepare accordingly.)

It’s essential for a young actor to feel confident in the audition process and give the impression that you know what you’re doing. For this reason, the safe choice is to prepare your monologue to be delivered looking just above the head of the auditor. Then, if the auditor asks you to speak directly to them, you can make that adjustment on the spot. 

Remember that your goal is to wow the casting director with your delivery, connection, and authenticity. You can create magical moments in your auditions no matter where you focus your eyes but following these general guidelines will remove any doubts about your professionalism and preparation.

10 Tips for a Winning Audition

Your dream is to be a working actor. You’ve always been told you “have it,” but the phone doesn’t ring for callbacks.

What separates professionals from wannabe talent show prodigies isn't inspiration. It’s preparation and execution. Take control of your audition with these ten helpful tips to improve your skills.

1. Confidence
It sounds simple but it takes practice. Walk in the door with your held head high. Be wary of shuffling feet. You don’t get sympathy points if you’re nervous, not feeling well, or having a bad day. Leave it outside the door. You are being sized up the minute you walk in so practice good posture and body language before you arrive. And don’t forget to smile—that’s the lasting impression you want to leave.

2. Personality
Let it shine through. Don’t give one-word answers when having a conversation with the casting director. Ask questions! The industry is looking for smart, curious actors.

3. Connection
Make one with the reader. Memorize the material or be familiar enough with it to maintain eye contact. Knowing the dialogue is important, but making a connection with the reader is what will make the scene natural and believable.

4. Character. 
Know the character. Read the entire script beforehand to pick-up as many clues as possible. We know about a character by the following:

• What he/she says about himself/herself

• What other characters say about him/her

• What the playwright or screenwriter says about him/her

READ: 21 Things That Make Casting Directors Happy in the Audition Room

5. Objective
Go underneath the dialogue. What does he/she want from the other characters? What is the character’s purpose in the scene/story?

6. Obstacle
What’s in the way of the character getting what he/she wants? Acting is what happens to you as you try to get your objective met, in spite of the obstacle.

7. Opposites 
Yelling isn’t the only way to show hatred or anger. Sometimes being quiet as you make your point is a powerful display of emotion. Playing opposites is a much more interesting choice than the obvious.

8. Love
Find the love in the scene; even nasty characters should be likable on some level. Find a moment in the scene where the love can show through.

9. Act
Acting means to do, not to talk. Find your actions and play them! (A wonderful resource is the book “Actions: The Actor’s Thesaurus” by Marina Caldarone and Maggie Lloyd-Williams.)

10. Variety
Feel the levels and dynamic in the scene. Don’t play one emotion. If the character is angry or tough, when might he/she show some vulnerability?

Wannabe? Not you! Interesting, memorable auditions will start to happen for you when you dig into scripts with these thoughts in mind before and during your auditions.

You Should Attend Every Audition. Here’s Why

Developing an acting career takes time. It’s hard work. There is no such thing as an overnight success. I’ve worked with many famous actors who began their careers as child actors and invested at least ten years before they achieved stardom. What they all had in common was discipline, perseverance, and auditioning as often as possible.

According to Richard Lustig—a seven-time grand prize lottery winner—“You have to play consistently and never miss a drawing in the game you’re playing.” The same thinking applies to auditions: There are hundreds of actors vying for any given role, so the more you audition, the better your chances are. You have to play to win!

Still not convinced all those auditions are worth your time and energy? Here are a few more reasons you should be going to every audition possible.

Your reps work hard to get you appointments. 
The most frustrating thing for agents and managers to hear is that you can’t attend an audition. They are working hard to get you appointments for projects that will give you work and propel your career forward—they don’t want to hear excuses.

You’re part of the team, so be a good team player by showing up, being loyal and appreciative. You made the commitment that you want to be an actor and you need to honor that commitment. If you really can’t go because you’re stuck in jury duty or out of town, ask if you can send a video submission. It’s better than not trying. 

READ: How to Stop Over-Thinking Your Auditions

Get to know casting directors. 
These are the folks who are helping to get you hired. Casting directors want you to succeed, but they also need to get to know you, trust you, and vet you to the directors, producers, network, and studio executives. So the more you get to know casting directors, the more comfortable you’ll feel, which will lead to a better audition.

You may not be right for the role you’re going in for, but if you show up and give a great audition, casting directors will bring you back over and over again for future projects.

Gain experience. 
The only way to get experience is to perform every chance you can. Each audition is another experience to learn something about yourself and your craft. Perhaps you’ve been choosing monologues or songs that aren’t working for you anymore. You won’t know until you give it a whirl.

However, if you’re not ready to be auditioning because you still need to hone your craft then don’t audition for the big leagues until you are ready. There are plenty of other opportunities to help you prepare. Smaller roles and student films will give you a chance to practice and get better.

You want this, remember. 
No excuses. Just go! If you’re sure that you are clearly the wrong gender or age for the role, you may want to decline. However, keep an open mind. If you have the essence of what they’re looking for, show up and be seen. Casting often makes changes to the original concept based on how auditions go, so remind yourself of what you want: the role, to be a working actor, to fulfill your dream.

A Young Actor’s Checklist

It’s more than talent that's being assessed in an audition. If your script isn't in order and you're fiddling with the papers, you may become unfocused and distracted. At that point, the casting director is already thinking next. As a teacher, I don’t want to hear excuses about why you don’t have your script. Using your phone is not an acceptable alternative. You need to mark up your scripts with notes, actions, and directions.

What's more, young actors who understand the decision making, diligence, and sacrifice necessary to pursue an acting career on the part of both themselves and their families are often completely invested. Teens and pre-teens thrive when parents nurture their adolescent development rather than control it. An inclusive approach to career decision making with real and understandable expectations and responsibilities often leaves young actors feeling in control, focused, and ready for success.

Here’s a checklist of what you'll need to set yourself up for success in and out of the audition room.

Acting Class + Rehearsal

• A hard copy of your script, monologue, or the scene you're working on

• Highlighter to help identify your lines easily

• Pencil (not a pen) to make notes and changes

• Water to always stay hydrated

• Healthy snacks

• Your phone to record something, add contacts, and to be able to reach a parent

Auditions

• Hard copies of headshots with resumes stapled together

• Your audition copy or sides printed out

• Music book if it's a musical audition

• Dance wear for dance calls

• Water

• Snack

• Phone

• Extra shirt in case of spills

• Hairbrush or comb to touch up hair

READ: 25 Ways for Young Actors to Take Control of Their Careers

Performances

• Any personal costume pieces

• Makeup (always bring your own for sanitary reasons)

• Your script. Even though you will know your lines by performance time it is always best to review them. You might find something new.

• Water

• Snack

• Something to help you relax and bide the time backstage like music, cards, knitting, etc.

As child actors grow into teens, they're responsible for more and held accountable with consequences. Start learning these skills now and you'll be more prepared as you head into adulthood. Preparedness, scheduling, and goal setting all help develop important life skills. The consistent effort to stay organized will teach you how to focus effectively to get things done. Involvement on this level with proper parental guidance also develops communication and critical reasoning skills. These life skills show up in the audition too. Casting directors look for young actors who focus and communicate well.

So kids, take control of your career today. Be prepared and stay organized. Pack a bag the night before with everything you need for class, rehearsal, auditions or performance days and set yourself up for success!

7 Steps to a Successful College Audition

It’s that time of year again when thousands of high school students are applying to drama and musical theater college programs nationwide. These schools get more competitive with each passing year—depending on the track, they can accept as few as 10 new students a year. Therefore, it’s a good idea to start thinking about what type of school and program you’re looking for as early as your freshman or sophomore year of high school. To help you in the process, I’ve pulled together seven steps to help you prepare for a successful audition, starting as early as that first year of high school.

1. Find the right program for you.
BFA? BA? BM? Conservatory? Emphasis on dance? Every school is different, even down to the degrees they offer. So make sure you do your research and figure out what it is you want to study for the next four years. Learn the difference between a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Music. Be honest with yourself about whether you’ll want to study onlythe dramatic arts or if you want to get a full liberal arts education. Do you want to study abroad? Do you want the chance to learn how things work behind the scenes? All of these are questions you should know the answers to before starting the search as they will likely narrow the list down significantly.

Develop a list of questions to ask potential theatre departments and start visiting college campuses early. You will be spending four years there, so consider where you’ll be happy living. Decide if you want a small or large school, access to a city, and whether you want to be in driving distance or an airplane ride away from your family.

2. Prepare for your audition.
Applying to college is incredibly time-consuming: studying for and taking standardized tests, collecting transcripts and letters of recommendation, writing essays, submitting applications. But don’t forget that you need to add audition prep to this list! When I work with high school students, we begin preparing their monologues junior year so they have ample time to choose and practice their pieces wisely, and also to film the video pre-screen.

Every November, I get a frantic call from a student asking for help and though technically there is still time, it feels like a rush job. Start early.

3. Choose appropriate material.
Unless you’re applying to a non-audition program, you will need to choose several monologues and songs for musical theater. Most schools ask for two contrasting contemporary monologues. Some require a classical piece. Your pieces need to be from published plays, not monologue books, so make sure you actually read the entire play, not just your selection. Schools will be unimpressed if you don’t know the origin of your character. Find pieces you connect with, show contrast, and are age appropriate.

4. Execute songs and monologue. 
I highly recommend working with a coach on the selection and performance of your songs and monologues. Auditors don’t want to see formulaic performances—they’re looking for honesty and whether you’re present, relaxed, focused, and able to enjoy the process. In your pieces, make sure you know who you’re talking to and have a strong intention. Take the audience on a journey showing how your character changes from beginning to end.

However, it isn’t just the audition that matters. Schools with top programs aren’t easy to get into academically so grades and test scores matter! You must be accepted into the school itself to be considered for the theater or MT program. Your essay counts and may be why one candidate is chosen over another. Schools are looking for good citizens who are disciplined with an exceptional work ethic. How you interact with others in the room is important. Just like you want to be happy for the next four years, so does the faculty.

5. Be ready for the interview.
Schools can tell a lot about you from the interview. Work on your interview skills, be yourself and be ready to give thoughtful answers to questions asked. Research the school so you can speak about why you chose their program. Whether it’s the faculty, alumni, philosophy, or networking opportunities, have specifics.

6. Don’t forget the prescreen and tapings.  
Each school has its own admission process and many require a pre-screen video (due in the fall) that will determine if you get an invitation to audition. This tape showcases your acting and, if applicable, singing talent. Make sure you understand the material and are making choices. For musical theater programs, you will not get past the prescreening if you have vocal damage or pitch problems. You don’t need professional equipment to tape but make sure you are filming with no distractions and adequate lighting.

7. Get ready for audition day. 
You’ve been preparing for this day for quite some time so it’s understandable to be nervous. But make sure to leave your nerves outside or turn them into excitement and energy. Be yourself, be alive, let go of perfection, and enjoy the process you have worked so hard on while letting go of the outcome.

How Auditioning is Just Like Dating

Have you kissed a lot of frogs lately? How many dates do you have to go on to find “the one”?

I’m currently exploring the world of online dating and have found a surprising parallel: first dates are a lot like auditions. Whether you’re looking for a role you love or the next love of your life, you have to go on lots of auditions before you find the perfect fit. Online dating, auditioning, or both, these tips offer valuable information you can use in either situation!

You can’t control the outcome. 
When you go on a first date, you only know the basics: height, age, whether they like dogs, etc. Auditions are also big unknowns. An actor often walks into an audition with basic information and is asked to perform without knowing much about the context. Just like hoping “he’s the one,” this is scary, exciting, and a fact of life for actors. Sometimes all you can do is show up to the audition—or the date—ready to be your best.

A good photo is your calling card. 
Your photo is the first step in getting someone’s attention. Having an up-to-date, flattering photo is essential for both attracting dates and those in the entertainment industry. Your headshot will be reviewed by casting directors, potential agents, and managers. Be sure it portrays you at your best but isn’t airbrushed or faked in any way. People want to see the real you!

READ: 7 Tips for a Better Headshot

Be your unique yourself. 
Told a little white lie about how you love to rock climb and now find yourself in a harness and safety helmet on a date? What about fibbing and listing stage combat as a special skill on your actor resume only to find yourself asked to spar with someone during an audition?

In both dating and auditioning, you need to be your unique, perfect self. No matter how talented and amazing a performer you may be, casting choices are often based on arbitrary traits. Your job is to show up ready to audition honestly with your unique interpretation of the material.

Remember that they want it to work out, too.
He shares your interests, is adorable, smart, and witty. You like this guy already, but now you’re worried he won’t feel the same way and you work yourself into a negative spiral before the first date even happens.

News flash! He wants you to be the one, too. It’s the same way in auditions; no one wants you to fail. Casting directors are on your side, hoping that you’ll be perfect for the part. You don’t need to fear them.

Stop trying and let it go. 
My mother tells me love will happen when I least expect it. I think she’s right. Your next part will come along in the same mysterious way. Stop trying so hard. Yes, you need to study your lines, work with your coach, and understand the character. Preparation is always important. However, try to relax and enjoy the process. The sooner you can let go of disappointment over a lost role, the sooner you can move on to the next audition.

READ: 10 Attitudes That Keep Actors From Working

It’s great practice. 
Last month, I went on what felt like a million dates and sometimes I really just felt like giving up. But then I remember my 98-year-old aunt telling me, “Just keep going, it’s good practice for when the right one comes along.” And she’s right: I learn more about myself with every first date.

The same is true for auditioning. Each time you audition, you have the opportunity to learn more about yourself and your craft. Pay attention and keep notes on all you’re learning. The information will be very helpful.

Don’t give up before it happens. 
I dated a lot in my twenties. Just when I thought I might never meet the one, I met my husband. We had a nice long run (although I’m back on the market again). Just like dating, the odds of landing a role are pretty slim. There are often hundreds of actors answering the call for an audition, yet only one will be cast. Every actor faces the same overwhelming odds and the likelihood of rejection. That means you might have to go on 50 first auditions and get hundreds of rejections for every part you do land. Just remember that every “no” gets you that much closer to a “yes.” Actors are rejected many times before finding the right role at the right time with the right people. Success comes to those who stay positive and continue auditioning with confidence.

6 Tips For Auditioning With a Dialect

“The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain,” Eliza Doolittle famously says in "My Fair Lady." By the way, she wasn’t the only one who struggled with her accent! Dialects don’t come easy to everyone. Auditioning with an unfamiliar dialect can really get in your way of landing the role. When learning a new dialect, here are some tips to keep in mind to help you have a successful audition.

1. Play the action, not the accent. 
Don’t let the dialect own the scene. Pay attention to the character’s social class, age, upbringing, objective, and obstacle. I have worked with actors who are so focused on the accent that they are not even listening to the reader. If you are not that skilled, perhaps a hint of the dialect is the way to go. Keep it simple and do what you are trained to do. Let your skill as an actor help you land the job, not a contrived accent.

2. Don’t watch “Harry Potter.” 
Just as you wouldn’t expect a southern belle to sound like a Texas Ranger, you can’t expect Mary Poppins to sound like Bert. The dialects in most countries are as diverse as they are in America. For example, the three largest recognizable dialects in England are Southern English, Midland English, and Northern English. Within those are Cockney, Geordie—as spoken in Billy Elliot, among many, many others. Do your research. Find out what type of accent is needed before settling on a generic one.

3. Listen to the casting director’s instructions. 
If you are adept with the dialect, by all means, go for it. However, there are times when the casting director does not want you to use a dialect at all in the audition. Can you imagine listening to botched accents all day long? Always check with your agent or manager. When all else fails, don’t be afraid to ask the casting director before you begin.

READ: Are You Having Trouble Landing an Accent?

4. Work with a coach. 
Whether you work with an acting coach or speech and dialect coach, getting help from someone trained in this area can make all the difference in your audition. Dialects are not only about pronunciation but also about cadence, phrasing, inflection, and pitch. Sometimes in comedy, the words are not funny until the dialect is in place. Be careful of over-coaching, however. When in doubt re-read tip number one!

5. Don’t wing it. 
Dialects are part of the basic training of every good actor. Just like your monologues and songs, have your dialects in your repertoire ready to go at any moment. Take the time well before opportunity knocks to learn a few of the more popular dialects such as Standard British, Cockney, Irish, Australian, Southern, and Brooklyn. Practice on trains, planes, and automobiles. Just think how much fun you can have while working on your craft.

6. Other good resources. 
There are many books and CDs available to help you learn dialects on your own. Some authors to research are Edda Sharpe, Jan Haydn Rowles, Robert Blumenfeld, Paul Meier, and Jerry Blunt. Other great resources are VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association) and IDEA Dialects (International Dialects of English Archive) where you can find a real person speaking with the dialect or accent you are looking for.

For some added inspiration, check out Meryl Streep’s many accomplished accents: British in “The French Lieutenant’s Woman," Polish in “Sophie’s Choice," Danish in “Out of Africa," Irish-American in “Ironweed," Australian in “A Cry in the Dark," Italian “The Bridges of Madison County," Irish in “Dancing at Lughnasa," Upper-Midwest in “A Prairie Home Companion," Bronx in “Doubt," Julia Child in “Julie & Julia," and English in “The Iron Lady.” Have fun as you simply watch, listen, and learn!