How to put your best face forward

By Stan Walens

In an audition, as in life, you get only one chance to make a good first impression. If you’re an actor, you know that you have to master those skills that will make you stand out from the crowd and get you the job. But, in fact, everyone needs to master audition skills, to learn how to prepare themselves for their best self-presentation, whether it’s for an interview, or to go out on a date, or any of a thousand other interactions we all face every day.

Research has shown that taking acting classes is one of the best ways a person can learn to be charismatic in social interactions. How you walk into a room, how you stand, how you present yourself, are all essential parts of how other people judge you. Acting classes help you develop self-confidence, teach those skills that enable you to effectively listen to and respond to others, and encourage you to face your fears by turning negative energy into positive creativity. Acting techniques can help you to be comfortable in a variety of situations, how to overcome stage fright, and how to prepare for a role, whether it’s a character on stage or the person you want to be in your own life.

You don’t need to be an actor to benefit from learning the audition process. Anyone can learn to feel more secure and confident by learning audition skills and techniques. Learn how use your own emotional power to prepare a monologue, create a character, establish a connection with an audience. Learn the audition processes for both the stage and movies and television. Learn about the do’s and don’ts of cold readings. Whether you want to work as an actor at one of San Diego’s local playhouses, such as Diversionary Theatre or the North Coast Rep, or just make the best impression at your next job interview, learning audition skills is an essential part of your success.

Take a UC San Diego Extension acting class this quarter. We offer a variety of courses, introductory to advanced, and regularly schedule specialized workshops to teach you everything you need to know about putting your best face forward.