Underpants

This section entitled Underpants, is where I make my friends and co-conspirators “drop trou” and reveal embarrassing audition experiences, personal triumphs, and their pre-audition rituals. 

This week’s artist is Dan Lawrence, an actor living and working in New York City. He has performed with some of the countries premiere classical theaters including, The Shakespeare Theatre Company in DC, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Check out his bio at www.danlawrence.info.

Q: What was your best audition experience?

A: Shortly after I got my Equity card I went on an EPA with an audition buddy of mine. The contract was for two shows at a well-known regional theater (LORT C). It seemed like a just another “cattle-call” audition: long lines, tired, worn down actors, lots of nervous energy, etc., but for some reason, my friend and I didn’t care about any of these factors; we were in a ridiculous and silly mood. Everything was a joke to us. I remember laughing so hard that by the time I went into the room I had no stress or tension, no concern about whether I got the job or not, I was just having fun. I did two monologues from my rep. and I must have done them well, for the artistic director told me in the room that he’d like to see me the next day for a callback. I returned the following day with that same energy and the director offered me the job on the spot. That gig, those two shows, was my first Equity contract.

Q: What was your worst audition experience?

A: I was dragged to an audition in DC by two friends who happened to be on their way. I didn’t know the company or the shows, but it didn’t matter, I was just out of college and hungry for work. The audition was held in a black box space attached to a bar and the company (which will remain nameless) was concerned with grotesque theatre. I didn’t really understand what this meant until, as part of my audition, I was asked to go out of the room and think of something that would gross-out and shock the casting team, the only stipulation was that I couldn’t touch or harm anyone. So I went out of the room and racked my brain, “What was I going to do?” I thought, “These people must have seen it all, what can I do to top those acts? Do I take to it the extreme, do I defecate, or, well I guess that’s the max. You can’t really beat the kind of shock value that a public pooping can illicit.” I decided to settle for something only a few points lower on the gross scale. At the time I had a pretty bad cold; lots of phlegm readily available. So I hocked a slimy green one into my hand, displayed it for all to see, then proceed to suck it back into my mouth like a clam, and swallow it. Repulsing right? My buddy poured a can of root beer all over his shirtless body and proceeded to lick it off. Neither of us got the job. We left feeling totally disgusted with ourselves. As if auditioning wasn’t debasing enough. Never again.

Q: Do you have a specific practice/regimen before and audition or performance? Or a good luck charm?

A: I have found that I give better auditions after I’ve done a physical and vocal warm-up and after I’ve had a chance to work-through the piece(s) at full volume and with full attention. I don’t do this at the audition space, in the lobby in front of other actors, I walk a couple blocks and rent a studio for a half-hour or an hour. It’s about $10, but it’s a tax right off. Sometimes I split the cost with a friend who is comfortable enough to run his or her pieces in front of me. Regardless, I’ve realized that the minimal fee is worth the reward of a paid contract and health insurance.

Recently I started carrying around an audition book. This is a small, green moleskin, in which I write down my thoughts, goals, fears, etc. shortly before I go into the room. Sometimes I write out mantras or a poem, but most of the time it is just stream of consciousness. It has been a big help in clearing my mind of debris and baggage and focusing it for the task at hand.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received regarding auditioning?

A: I don’t know if it’s the best piece of advice, but it’s funny, and it stuck with me over the years. An accomplished actor and teacher once told me, “If you’re going to start your audition sitting in a chair, the first line of your monologue better be, ‘I joined the circus after losing both my legs’.”

Q: Name 2 or 3 people who have strongly influenced your career.

A: All the actors that I work with across the country influence my career and help me grow as an actor. But the people that really support me, that have to deal with me in good times and bad, that keep me righted, steady on the horse, are my family. They influence my character and vision and continue to shape me as a person. Thus, they are the first and foremost entries of my artistic bibliography.