This article has been originally posted at Elisa Eliot’s Acting Studio Blog. Make sure to stop by for more great content.

1) Know Your Material If you are given the sides in advance – prepare them!

Use the methods you have studied in your acting classes to analyze the script. (Every actor beginner or professional should always be enrolled in acting classes to keep their craft sharp!) If the audition is a cold reading then take the time you need to make sure you have the scene(s) down. Don’t go in until you are ready. Either way you should be extremely familiar with your lines and situations so your head isn’t buried in the script.

2) Know WHO You Are Auditioning For

When you get an audition one of the very first things you should do is some research! Look up who the major players (the director, casting director, writer and producers) are. See what else they have done – you are likely to get a better feel for the project and what they might be looking for.

3) Know WHAT You Are Auditioning For

Or, in other words, know the genre. Each genre requires a different style of acting, and knowing whether you are auditioning for a sitcom, a single camera comedy, a drama, etc can help immensely.

4) Professionalism

The “industry” is a business and you should treat it that way! Always be on time. (Yes, even in LA you have to be punctual. Factor in plenty of time for traffic even if there might not be any.) Be respectful to your auditioners and your fellow actors. Dress appropriately… even if you are dressing the part. Have a crisp clean copy of your headshot and resume, not a wrinkly unstapled one. Nothing says “Beware – Don’t hire me!” more than a rude, sloppy actor.

5) Nail your Slate

Finally, first impressions are so important. And your first on-camera impression is the slate. Don’t fidget or look at your script or play with your hair or pick your nose (trust me I have seen all of these and worse!). Make sure to portray confidence, affability, professional and personality! And SMILE!