Whether you’re an experienced thesp or wanting to tread the boards for the first time, there are so many opportunities to act in Cambridge. If you want to get involved in acting, it’s really a case of going out there and taking advantage of those opportunities.
The Cambridge drama scene may at first seem a little daunting, but, although you get them, not everyone involved in theatre here is a die-hard luvvy. For most people being part of a play is a brilliant way to relax, meet new people and escape from the stresses of university life. If you are someone who ‘lives and breathes’ the theatre, then that’s fabulous, but it’s not a pre-requisite for getting into a play, and won’t always guarantee you parts either. The point is that the drama scene, like everywhere else in Cambridge, does its best to be non-discriminate.
The Pembroke Players’ shows are a great place to start acting, a friendly college based society, we welcome actors not only from Pembroke but also from all other colleges and ARU. We put on Freshers’ Shows in week 7 of Lent term which are great opportunities to get involved – parts are open to anyone, even if they’re not freshers, but the newbie directors are generally a lot of fun to work with. For anyone in Pembroke who just wants a laugh, there’s also the annual Pembroke Panto in Hall.
If you want to be in a play, it will almost certainly involve an audition. Auditions for the coming week are listed in Varsity, and if you have signed up to be on societies’ mailing lists they usually send out emails with audition information. There is usually an email contact if you have any problems, for example, not being able to make the listed times.
The idea of auditioning often puts a lot of people off getting involved in acting. But there’s really nothing to be scared about, most auditions are fairly informal, and some have even been known to be fun! You are unlikely to be asked to do something you are uncomfortable with, if you are you can always say no. Initial auditions should not require you to act in front of anyone other than the one/two/three people auditioning you. The audition will usually consist of reading one or two speeches that you have time to prepare outside the audition room, and often you will be given some direction and be asked to read them again, responding to that direction. You may be asked to do an exercise without preparation, for example tell a joke or a story, or improvise something. If it is a musical audition, you may have been asked to bring something to sing, or will be given something in the audition.
In the next couple of days you will hear via email if you have been recalled for a further audition. If you are feeling keen, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the play you’re auditioning for, recalls can be quite competitive so a knowledge of the play can only be to your advantage. The recall will be with other actors, and it is a chance for the auditioners to see how groups and pairs of actors work together. It will usually involve some group warm up activities, and then looking at parts of the play. Again, if it is a musical, more singing will be involved and probably dancing as well. After the recalls you will hear whether you have been offered a part or whether you have been unsuccessful this time.
It is also a facet of Cambridge drama that there is a lot more competition for female roles than for male roles. Basically this means if you’re a bloke, you should just go for it as you have a high chance of success, often there will be auditions looking for male actors only. And if you’re a girl and don’t get immediate success, do not be discouraged. Some people are lucky and are given parts straight away, but for many people it can take up to a term to land your first role, then after that initial break, things tend to get easier. As with the professional world of acting, it’s often as much a case of who you know as well as what you know.
If you weren’t recalled, or were recalled but not offered a part, don’t take it personally or be disheartened. It is not a reflection of your ability and doesn’t mean you will not be successful elsewhere, you cannot be suitable for every part or play you audition for. And if at first you don’t succeed…