The Audition

“The Audition”
Written by Frederick Passmore
Copyright 2006 by Sheep Laughs Publications

Synopsis: A Christian actor auditions for a role in a major Hollywood movie. As the unseen director puts him through a humiliating series of tryout scenes, the actor begins to realize that being a “crossover” artist leaves one sitting on the fence. And he could end up on the wrong side if he’s not careful.

Soundtrack key: This is the type of script where your actors deliver their lines and the soundtrack supplies the background music and sound effects as the script calls for them.

Length of play: 10-12 minutes
Number of cast: 2 (plus one offstage on a mic.)
Category: Comedic, Dramatic, Duet, Medium-Length Skit

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YOU MAY ALSO ORDER THE SCRIPT AND SOUNDTRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

Setting: An empty stage. Bright lights shine up or down onto the stage on the actors. A stool, or preferably, a director’s chair, and a folding chair, are all the stage setting needed.

Characters: Jake Shelby, the aspiring actor. Irwin, the jaded stage assistant. Mr. O’Neal, the unseen Producer (on a microphone off stage).

Props: A cardboard box, a toy machine gun (styled like an AK-47 or an Uzi), a folder with the printed script pages inside, a clipboard.

(A general description of the script; not all details or scenes are here, but it gives you an overall picture of what it is like.)

The skit opens with the main character, Jake, walks out onto the empty stage. Seeing no-one, he speaks up and says that he is here for the audition he was scheduled for. A voice from off stage comes over the speakers and tell him that he is in the right place. The Producer informs Jake that he is watching him via a camera on a monitor in an adjoining room, so he can tell how the actor looks on video. He asks Jake to tell a little about himself and any acting experience he may have had. Jake does so, and the director tells him about the role he is there to test for, an action hero in an adventure movie. The Producer’s assistant, Irwin, comes on stage and gives Jake a copy of the script pages he will need for the test, and brings a box of props which he sets down beside the stool.

As the Producer sets up the scene, Jake looks over the lines quickly, then Irwin hands him a machine gun prop and sits down on the stool with his copy of the script. He reads the lines of the other characters in the script as Jake delivers his. The Producer guides his test, giving him directions, and Jake reads his lines from the script as he acts. The soundtrack supplies the sound effects and dramatic music as Jake is put through an action scene.

Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here: the_audition_sample_01

Once the action scene is over, the Producer is impressed with Jake’s performance. Now he wants to see how he does in a romance scene, and to Jake’s discomfort he realizes that he must act out the scene with Irwin standing in for the female lead. As the romantic music plays, and he reads his lines like a smooth ladies man, he is distracted by the woman’s lines coming from the bored Irwin, but it gets worse when the Producer tells him to take him in his arms. He does, but holds him at arm’s length, and his dismay grows as the dialog becomes more torrid! Finally he can’t take the scene any further and tells he Producer he is too uncomfortable with it. The Producer, looking at Irwin, understands it, and lets him move to the next scene test.

The next scene involves the character confronting his superior officer, who disproves of his methods and actions as a “loose cannon” on the force. As he reads the lines against Irwin who stands in for his boss, Jake stumbles over the raw language and replaces it with some harmless expressions as he reads. After a several line changes on the fly, the Producer asks why he is not delivering the lines as written. Jake explains he is not comfortable using that kind of language, to the Producer’s amazement. The Producer can’t believe there is anyone left like him in Hollywood, and deduces that he must be a Christian. Jake confesses that he is, and that he can’t go against his convictions and depict a character that might influence young people who consider him a hero.

The Producer tells Jake that such an attitude means he will never get a leading role in film, and when he sees that Jake is a moral person, he proceeds to insult and demean him as an actor. Irwin, sympathetic to Jake, tries to take up for him, and he catches the ire of the Producer as well. He is commanded to toss Jake out, but before Jake goes, he delivers a few choice words to the Producer about life and the way God wants us to live it. He realizes that he was trying to “straddle the fence” when it came to using his God-given talents for worldly fame and fortune, and decides to use them in God’s service from then on. He bows his head in prayer to make the dedication to God personally, and Irwin bows his head in respect as well.

Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here: the_audition_sample_02

When Jake is done, the Producer, who was moved by the prayer, suddenly decides that Jake must have just been acting to show him his dramatic range. He offers him the part in a major motion picture, the life story of a swindling, cheating, phony faith-healer. When Jake turns down the part, the Producer is livid, as no-one has ever refused a part he offered before.

As Jake turns to leave, Irwin, who has listened to his testimony with awe, turns against his worldly boss and tells him he is leaving to go after Jake, and ask him to explain the source of his joy and faith. This further infuriates the Producer, who screams after Irwin in anger as he leaves with Jake. The Producer is left alone in his rants, and when he calls for his secretary to bring him his heart pills for the sudden pains he is having, he realizes she has left as well, and his voice fades out as he calls for help.

Preview some of the effects and music provided for the various scenes by clicking on the player below.

Read some of the testimonials about the script from just a few of the many users:

Fred,
The Good Shepherd Christian Academy is doing “The Audition” on February 8.
This is an excellent site! I love the way you have taken modern Christian issues and placed them in a real context that is also fun and entertaining. I look forward to seeing the feedback I get on this sketch! I am always looking around for good sketches to use with students or church youth groups, and you have some excellent material here. Thanks!
-Joseph Knapp

Fred,
We performed “The Audition” on May 1st, at our Awana Awards Banquet at the Cornerstone Community Church in Auburn, CA.
Thank you so much for putting your site together and offering scripts with a powerful message. “The Audition” was incredible. I am no actor, yet even I was able to prepare and deliver the lines because most lines had cues from other actors. Very easy to perform!
Thanks again and God bless you.
-Bill Harben
Awana Commander
Cornerstone Community Church
Auburn, CA.

Okay, if you liked the story breakdown, and enjoyed the Skit Trax previews, and were encouraged by the testimonials of those that have done it, buy the complete script and soundtrack here! 

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