Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Services
    • Aircheck for Actors
    • Demo Reels
    • Audition Prep/Self-Tape Reader
    • Website Design
    • Mailing Labels
    • Contribute
    • Industry Links
    • Advertise
    Daily Actor
    • Acting Tips
      • Actors on Acting
      • Advice Columns
      • Acting Quotes
      • Audition Tapes
      • How To Become An Actor
      • How to Memorize Lines
    • Monologues
      • Monologues from Plays
      • Monologues from Movies
      • Monologues from Musicals
      • Comedic Monologues
      • Dramatic Monologues
      • One Minute Monologues
      • Monologues for Women
      • Monologues for Men
      • Monologues for Teens
      • Monologues for Kids
      • All Monologues
    • Acting Resources
      • Acting Resume
        • Acting Resume Template
      • Acting Classes
        • Los Angeles Acting Classes
        • Las Vegas Acting Classes
        • San Diego Acting Classes
      • Acting Schools and Colleges
        • Los Angeles
        • New York
        • BFA Acting Schools
      • Casting Websites
      • Headshot Photographers
        • Los Angeles
        • New York City
        • Headshot Printing
      • Acting Techniques
        • What is Method Acting?
      • Stage Directions
      • Demo Reels: Everything You Need to Know
    • Interviews
      Featured
      Jeremy Davis Olaf in Frozen Interview

      Interview: Jeremy Davis on Playing Olaf in ‘Frozen’, Costume Mishaps and Making the Role His Own

      Recent
      Jeremy Davis Olaf in Frozen Interview

      Interview: Jeremy Davis on Playing Olaf in ‘Frozen’, Costume Mishaps and Making the Role His Own

      January 19, 2023
      Casting Director Kim Coleman Interview

      Interview: Casting Director Kim Coleman on ‘Five Days at Memorial’, Self-Tape Tips and Portraying Real People

      January 11, 2023
      David Christopher Wells To Kill a Mockingbird Interview

      Interview: David Christopher Wells on His Role in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Being an Understudy and Getting His MFA

      December 27, 2022
    • Actor Blogs
    • Reviews
      • Movies
      • Theater
      • Books
      • Products
    • Actor Services
      • Airchecks
      • Demo Reels
      • Website Design
      • Mailing Labels
    Daily Actor
    Home » Actor Tips » Casting Director Bernie Telsey’s Audition Tips
    Actor Tips

    Casting Director Bernie Telsey’s Audition Tips

    Kendra BeltranBy Kendra BeltranFebruary 10, 2016Updated:September 16, 2018No Comments2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Bernard Telsey Casting Director Audition Advice

    Only in his 20’s when he landed at Simon & Kumin Casting as an assistant, Bernie Telsey quickly moved up in the ranks after his work with the hit musical, Rent. Today, he’s one of the most respected casting directors around and recently sat down with Playbill to give actors some audition tips.

    Noting that “training is a must,” Telsey revealed what he looks for in an audition. “Auditions are like a blind date for the casting director and the actor. The audition starts the minute you walk in the room. Have a sense of presence. We may be looking for someone who has a certain size, shape and color…but many times if someone has the talent it will change our mind.”

    He also shared that song choice is one of the other important aspects. “You can’t just sing one kind of song. You must have one old song and one new pop and modern song. Pick something where you connect to the lyrics. It’s storytelling. [Also] If you’re coming in for a show like Wicked don’t come in with a song from Wicked unless we ask you to.”

    Be trained, he went on to say. “Have a sense of presence” and put actual thought into those song choices.

    As far as what to avoid, Telsey said, “The biggest deal-breaker is not being prepared. You have to have a book [of songs you are prepared to sing at a moment’s notice]. You have to have more than one song. Even if the casting notice says you only need one song, if we like you we may ask you to sing another. The other no-no is overreaching. Don’t sing “Defying Gravity” if you’re not comfortable with it and if you’re not ready to start singing it eight performances a week.”

    Related

    Previous ArticleReview: Moxie Theatre’s ‘brownsville song (b-side for tray)’
    Next Article David Harewood on ‘Supergirl’ and How He Was “Struggling to Get a Handle” on His Character

    Related Posts

    The Offer Casting Director

    ‘The Offer’ Casting Director John Papsidera on Finding ‘The Godfather’ Stars

    November 17, 2022
    Alan Alda

    Alan Alda Reflects on His Career and the Acting Advice He’s Learned Over the Years

    November 2, 2022
    Alexa Fogel Casting Director Interview

    Interview: Casting Director Alexa Fogel on ‘Black Bird’ and What Makes a Good Audition

    September 28, 2022
    Add A Comment

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Daily Actor Facebook Daily Actor Twitter Daily Actor Instagram Daily Actor Pinterest Daily Actor YouTube Page
    Popular Pages
    Become An Actor | Acting Tips | Acting Quotes
    Acting Resume | Resume Template
    Headshot Photographers
    Los Angeles | New York
    Print Your Headshots
    Acting Schools & Colleges
    Los Angeles | New York
    Monologues
    Movies | Plays | Comedic | Dramatic
    Men | Women | Teens | Kids
    • Contact
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Resource Listings
    • Write A Column
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer: Daily Actor at times uses affiliate links to sites like Amazon.com, streaming services, and others. Affiliate links provides compensation to Daily Actor which helps us remain online, giving you the resources and information actors like you are looking for.

    © 2023 Daily Actor

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.