The waiting room.

This is the most difficult place.

You must take it up for solution. Think about it and develop tactics that can become your habits, so before your audition you’re in a good state.

Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t mean you need to. So, if there’s a lot of chatting going on you don’t need to chat. If colleagues are there and want to catch-up you can say ‘Let’s talk after the audition’.

These small efforts really help you be in the best space possible prior to playing.

Always try and go with what you need on that day. Be particular. Which means one day you might be chatty.

The waiting room is like backstage in the theatre. It’s the working space prior to performing.

Treat it as such.

Socialize if you want to; listen to the gossip if you want to; but be careful. Try not to get diverted. Protect yourself.

Any working actor who doesn’t understand why you’re doing what you’re doing isn’t professional.

Before you go to the audition visualize the room and what actors in your type may be there. Especially the actors, room, casting people you don’t like. You must make a plan to deal with them so you don’t get dragged down.

It’s best when you feel unity with your fellow actors - all in battle - and can draw succour from that.
It’s best when we ‘Help the producers make their show’.
It’s best when we’re at one with the system and its parts.

That’s best. 

But…

At some auditions we need to protect ourselves and hold up the hand when someone comes over to talk.