Don't Talk Yourself Out of a Job

 Last week I was helping out at an audition and the scene we were using was only a page.  Most of the actors that came in to read were pros who had been in the business a long time and many of them would add a tiny improv to the end of the scene.  This is perfectly acceptable in most cases, especially in a pre-read when the writers aren't in the room.

But, make sure you know when to stop.  Adding one line is appropriate, but a page long monologue is not. 

One very talented comedian came in to read and added over a minute of dialogue after the scene was over.  The casting directors tried to get the actor to stop by saying thank you and he just kept talking.  Then as I was trying to escort the actor out of the room he did a whole schtick about me.  It was like he didn't want to leave the room and it was super uncomfortable for all of us. 

I know actors like to be the center of attention and that is especially true for comedians.  But, take the temperature of the room and know when your audition is done.  One good hint that they want you to leave is when the casting director says, "Thank You."  In casting director terms thank you means good bye.

This particular actor talked themselves out of even getting a callback.  Their read of the scene was actually one of the better ones, but the casting directors couldn't trust the actor in front of producers.

Don't lose a job because you don't know when to stop talking.  Casting directors aren't going to be impressed with your schtick, they just want to see your acting.