Vitamin Enriched Casting Blog
Vitamin Enriched Casting Blog
September 28, 2026 • Actor Casting • Blog Post
Whether you’re a seasoned actor or walking into your very first audition, knowing how to conduct yourself in the casting room is just as important as being prepared for your performance.
As commercial casting directors, we’ve seen just about everything. While we want actors to feel comfortable, confident, and able to do their best work, there are a few things that can make an audition unnecessarily difficult.
Here are 15 things actors should avoid doing in the audition room, straight from the casting directors at Vitamin Enriched.
We know you’re waiting for your audition, and we haven’t forgotten about you!
Please don’t knock on the door or walk into the casting room unless someone invites you in.
We may be in the middle of another audition, reviewing performances, or having a conversation with the director or client. Interrupting can disrupt the process.
We’ll come get you when we’re ready.
Things happen. We get it.
But if you can’t make your audition, please let us or your agent know as soon as possible.
Casting schedules are carefully organized, and when someone doesn’t show up without notice, it can throw off the day.
A quick email or phone call is all it takes. It’s professional, considerate, and always appreciated.
The person signing you in deserves the same respect as everyone else in the room.
Casting assistants are an essential part of the process, and yes, they absolutely communicate with the casting director.
Being dismissive, impatient, or rude to someone because you don’t think they’re making the final decision is never a good look.
Be kind to everyone you encounter.
Unless you’re invited to, please don’t place your phone, bag, keys, coffee, or other personal belongings on the casting table.
That space is usually reserved for casting materials, computers, paperwork, and the people running the audition.
Keep your belongings with you or place them wherever you’re directed.
We love enthusiasm, but asking whether you booked the job immediately after your audition puts everyone in an awkward position.
Casting decisions aren’t usually made on the spot. The director, agency, production company, and sometimes the brand all have input.
Even if we think you were fantastic, we may not know the final decision.
Do your best, thank everyone, and let the process unfold.
If you’re given the freedom to improvise, that’s great! We love actors who can bring something unexpected to a scene.
But use good judgment.
Sexually explicit jokes, offensive comments, or inappropriate humor can make the room uncomfortable and may not align with the client’s vision.
What you think is hilarious might not land the same way with the director or agency.
Be creative, but remember your audience.
We understand that you may see another role in the breakdown and think you’d be perfect for it.
But please don’t ask to audition for additional roles while you’re in the room unless the casting director brings it up.
On a busy casting day, we may be seeing dozens of actors, and our schedule doesn’t always allow extra time.
If we think you’re right for another role, we’ll let you know.
You’d be surprised how often this happens!
Even when you’re auditioning in person, remember that your performance is being recorded.
Be aware of where the camera is positioned, and avoid turning your face completely away from it while delivering lines.
Natural movement is fine, but we need to see your expressions and reactions.
If your child is auditioning, please follow the casting team’s instructions about whether parents should accompany them into the room.
We generally don’t mind having parents present, especially with younger children, but we’ve had situations where parents try to direct their children during the audition.
We know you’re trying to help, but it can actually make things harder for your child.
Let us guide the audition. Our goal is to make your child feel comfortable and get the best performance possible.
And of course, for younger children or situations where a parent or guardian needs to be present, we’ll make the appropriate arrangements.
If we’ve provided sides, please prepare them and stick to the material unless you’re instructed otherwise.
We know actors sometimes have creative ideas, and we welcome those when there’s room for them.
But if the director wants to hear specific dialogue, changing the lines or improvising without permission can make it difficult to evaluate your performance.
Show us you can deliver the material as written before taking creative liberties.
You stumble over a line. You lose your place. You say the wrong word.
It happens!
Don’t panic, apologize repeatedly, or immediately ask to start over.
Whenever possible, keep going.
We’re not expecting perfection, and sometimes how you recover from a mistake tells us something about your ability to stay in the moment.
If we need another take, we’ll ask for one.
While you’re waiting, please be mindful of your volume.
Loud conversations, phone calls, and other noise can be picked up by the microphone while we’re recording someone else’s audition.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to deliver their best performance without distractions.
Keep conversations quiet and your phone on silent.
A friendly hello and a smile are more than enough when you enter the casting room.
You don’t need to go around shaking everyone’s hand.
Some people prefer not to shake hands, and others may be focused on keeping the audition schedule moving.
If someone initiates a handshake, that’s fine. Otherwise, a warm greeting is perfectly professional.
We understand that auditions can involve waiting, last-minute changes, and the occasional frustrating experience.
But loudly complaining about the schedule, the material, or the people involved isn’t going to help you.
And remember, you never know who might be listening.
If you have a legitimate concern, bring it to the casting team or your agent respectfully.
Professionalism goes a long way.
This might be the most important advice on the list.
Always be respectful and polite to everyone you encounter, whether it’s the receptionist, casting assistant, another actor, or someone you happen to share an elevator with.
We once heard a story about an actress who got into an argument with a man in an elevator and cursed him out.
When she walked into her audition, guess who was sitting at the casting table?
The very same man.
He was the writer and director.
You truly never know who you’re going to run into.
Being talented is important. Being someone people want to work with matters, too.
Auditions can be stressful, and we understand that actors are often juggling schedules, preparing material, and trying to make a great impression in a very short amount of time.
We’re not looking for reasons to eliminate you. We want you to succeed!
Our job is to find the right talent for the project, and we love discovering actors who bring something interesting, authentic, and unexpected to a role.
Come prepared, be respectful, take direction, and don’t be afraid to show us your personality.
And most importantly, remember to have fun.
A great audition isn’t always a perfect audition. Sometimes it’s the one where you simply let us see what makes you special.
Vitamin Enriched — Commercial Casting & Real People Casting