As an acting coach and audition expert, I help people get into the top drama schools in the world every year. One of the common questions I get asked is from the audition panel about “Icebreaker.”
Let’s imagine you meet your audition panel for the first time on Zoom. The first thing they want to do is put you at ease. The two most common questions are “How are you?” and “Where are you from?”.
Stick to a yes answer to “How are you?” They don’t really want to know that you’re nervous as hell, so don’t tell them. This won’t make them like you. So it’s best to keep a positive attitude and say “I’m fine, thank you!” How are you? Asking how they are feeling also lets them know that you are a considerate person too.
To answer questions about your location, don’t just state the facts and leave it there, have something ready to say. For example, I always say, “I’m in sunny Glasgow” and if they know the city they’ll find it funny because it almost always rains, if they don’t then it will sound positive. If they seem like they want to take the conversation further by telling you that they have or haven’t been there, have a follow-up statement ready, such as “It’s a great place with great people” or “There used to be the highest of “European Cinema”.
This may seem simple, but too often I see auditioners admit to being nervous, or apologize in advance for their internet connection, or act like a rabbit in the headlights. There is an old saying, You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. So make sure you start the conversation on a positive note.
Hope this little tip helps you. If you have any further questions or any tips, please contact us!
