what we mean by ‘risk’ in an audition
Something that I come across a lot working with Actors in training and on audition panels is the idea of risk.
Feedback can often be given in the form of ‘you need to risk more’, ‘it’s too safe’ or ‘you’re holding yourself back’.
These notes can often be slightly confusing and vague if it is a new concept so lets take a bit of time to deconstruct what is meant when we talk about risk.
Risk - exposure to potential hazard or danger. Risk involves the possibility of uncertainty about the events/implications of an activity with respect to something that humans value often focusing on undesirable or negative consequences.
So in simple terms risk means danger. To go into the unknown in search of something knowing that it could potentially end negatively for us.
So why do it? Why risk?
Well, the old adage of ‘without risk there can be no reward’ is certainly a large part of it but in terms of risking in an audition situation we want to see you risking because it showcases vulnerability.
Theres another word that can often be misunderstood. Vulnerability DOES NOT always mean crying, over sharing or being physically naked. There are levels of vulnerability that lend itself to the world of acting because the stories being told are of conflict and vulnerability can go hand in hand with it.
Dr Brene Brown in her book Daring Greatly talks about the difference between vulnerability and weakness stating:
‘The word vulnerability is derived from the Latin word vulnerare, meaning “to wound”. The definition includes “capable of being wounded” and “open to attack or damage”. Merriam-Webster defines weakness as the inability to withstand attack or wounding……one could argue that weakness often stems from a lack of vulnerability’
Brene is a powerhouse. More can be seen on her website.
So when we say ‘risk’ we are actually looking for your willingness and bravery to be vulnerable in the moment of your speech. Whether this be the vulnerability of silence, stillness, heart break, joy, rejection etc. Using the text your task is to truly sign on the circumstance of what is happening and be real with it. Truly real. Not performing or showing. Actually sitting in and resting in that moment and allow that risk of exposure to the panel. We want to see you being human. And humans are flawed and fragile and fascinating.
Let me be clear - vulnerability isn’t crying on cue. If you are squeezing out emotion that you aren’t truly connected to or feeling in the moment then you aren’t being vulnerable, you are playing a state. You are acting. I know that sounds contradictory as you are auditioning as an Actor but you are portraying a character who is human and is therefore not performing.
Another part of risk that I’d like to touch on is the risk to fully commit to your choices whether that be acting strongly on a physical impulse or the way you use a particular line to affect someone. If you are only half committing to the gesture or psychological action with the text then you are only half risking.
If you stay in the middle of the road what happens? You get knocked down. Which ever decision you land on with your speeches, make sure you fully commit, fully risk.
The art of acting is subjective meaning that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way of doing things. There is, however, ‘clear’, ‘unclear’ and ‘appropriate to the text’. As long as you are making choices that could in a broad sense be realistic to the circumstance of the speech then you are right. The clarity comes from the full commitment to the choices you make. If you are only have commiting to choices then it won’t be clear.
To sum up…
Risk = vulnerability = interesting
Safe = blocked, defensive, guarded = dull
Risk also means full commitment to you choices - go big, bold and brave and always anchor your choices to the evidence in the text.