This Issue: "I'm An Actor?" - Up-speak performers.

This issue, I'm giving you a peek into a project I have been working on for over a year. I'm writing a book. Yes, yes, yes, I know.... "Oh God, not another actor how-to-book!" Hopefully, it will evolve past being another how-to dust collector. At present the book contains advice and anecdotes from my view of the industry having been an actor, now director and casting director. I have seen both sides of the audition table.

Why am I telling you this? It's not for plugging the book- it's because the majority of questions I receive from this column are "How do I become a famous actor?" Well, I answered that once. Time to move on folks. Here's a cutting from my writings that I hope is informative to some of you out there.


Up-speak:

Up-speak is a speech contagion? It spread, like, from the valley girls of the 80’s to, like, modern conversation? And it’s annoying?

If you haven’t guessed yet, up-speak is when a declarative statement is mistakenly transformed into a question. When a speaker does this, as actors are apt to do in auditions, the poor conversation format transmits a lack of self-confidence from speaker to listener. During auditions it’s a foible that often is found among nervous actors. When an actor enters the room, I’ll do the normal pleasantries of introducing myself and/or the creative team. Then, if it’s a musical audition I’ll ask, “What did you bring into today, to sing?” Often is the occasion the actor will reply with what sounds more of a cautious question than statement of fact, such as; “Uhm, ‘Amazing Grace’?” Well… are you or aren’t you going to sing ‘Amazing Grace’? Or is the grace not that amazing? Recently during an audition I asked a young singer-actress what she was going to sing and she replied with “I’m going to sing ‘I If Could’?” I quickly shot back, “If you could what?” With her up-speak, her selection of song sounded more like a request for permission to sing than stating the song’s title. Often when actors announce their vocal selection or monologue it sounds as if they’re asking for permission to do the piece.

Up-speak happens not only when actors introduce a song or monologue but is also happens when engaged in conversation. Many times I or other auditors will look over the resume of the performer in front of us and try to find a common interest or background so as to begin a conversation with the auditioning actor. This way we can get an idea about who the actor is as a person. Our questions are often met with replies that sound more like questions than statement of fact. For example:

Auditor: “So I see on your resume we have something in common, you and I both worked at Bucks County Playhouse. Who directed you?

Up-speak Actor: “Norb Joeder?”

Bzzzzt! Wrong choice of inflection in reply. Two point penalty. The statement by the actor should have been a firm declaration, not a question in response. With the up-speak in that reply, the actor sounds as if they are either lying, unsure of who the director was or cautious as to whether or not the director’s name is in good standing and should even be mentioned! Have confidence in your responses when asked questions! Have confidence when speaking at all times! Not only does up-speaking show lack of confidence and assurance but it’s damned annoying. The following example, in two forms, is typical of an auditor-actor audition conversation. Both have the same content but one is declarative while the other is up-speak.

Declarative Conversation:

Auditor: “So tell me a little something about yourself. What was your first job?”

Declarative Actor: “Oh, God, that was so long ago. I first started doing summer stock at Shawnee Playhouse in Pennsylvania way back in ’85. The pay was good. So was the food. We got three meals a day, included. It was one of my better early experiences.

Auditor: “What shows did you do there?”

Declarative Actor: “The first show I was in, I was a temporary replacement in “They’re Playing Our Song”. Then I was in “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. It was directed by Carmela Gueterrias.”

Ok, the conversation sounds fine- positive, informative and declarative. But what happens when an up-speak actor puts forth the same content but makes everything seem a question?

Up-speak Conversation:

Auditor: “So tell me a little something about yourself. What was your first job?”

Up-speak Actor: “Oh, God, that was so long ago? I first started doing summer stock at Shawnee Playhouse in Pennsylvania way back in ’85? The pay was good. So was the food? We got three meals a day, included? It was one of my better early experiences?

Auditor: “What shows did you do there?”

Up-speak Actor: “The first show I was in, I was a temporary replacement in “They’re Playing Our Song”? Then I was in “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”? It was directed by Carmela Gueterrias?”

Uh, yeah, there’s someone I want as a personal witness should I ever be brought to trial. Not only does it sound as if the up-speak actor has a bad memory and seeks validation for nearly everything said but after those responses not only would I question the quality of the productions, I’d be fearful for eating any food near Shawnee! Be firm with all responses. What you say and how you say it can make or break an audition no mater how great the talent.

Besos,
Paul