• Community theater groups offer numerous opportunities to step on stage.Outdoor Theater Stage in Sunny Florida image by pelvee from Fotolia.com
  
  For those interested in acting as a hobby, community theater provides an excellent opportunity. Community theater allows people with a passion for theater to come together and produce local entertainment. For those interested in becoming involved with theater, there are numerous roles to fulfill. However, many who become involved with community theater do so with the goal of stepping on stage. The first step any actor takes is to audition. The following tips will help community theater hopefuls make this experience successful and rewarding.
  
  

Familiarize Yourself with the Material

• Once you find a theater production that interests you, become familiar with the production. Read the script beforehand. If audition materials are provided, acquire them and become comfortable with them. Many directors provide specific scenes that will be read during the audition prior to the actual day, and studying these allows you to deliver your reading more naturally.
  
  

Know the Requirements

• Ensure that you understand everything required of you at the audition. If you are auditioning for a musical, determine whether you are supposed to bring a sample of your vocal range. If any forms are to be filled out beforehand, make sure to complete them. Showing up prepared for your audition communicates a great deal of commitment to the director.
  
  

Arrive Early

• Arrive at least a few minutes early to the audition. Showing up late communicates that you may be a problem during rehearsals, so arriving early prevents being flagged as unorganized or unreliable. In addition, arriving early will give you time to survey the environment, calm your nerves and prepare mentally for the audition.
  
  

Introduce Yourself

• Once you arrive at the audition, if the situation allows, introduce yourself to the director and anyone else coordinating the audition. A good first impression will help the director remember you during the selection process.
  
  

Make Character Choices during Your Reading

• As you read for a role, make quick personal choices regarding how you present the character. Decide if a character is grumpy, speaks quickly, uses an accent, or any number of other choices based on your interpretation of the script. These likely will be changed by the director if you are cast in a role, but presenting some character during your audition helps the director understand your acting range.
  
  

Keep an Open Mind

• Even if you specify that you are auditioning for one character, be open to other possibilities. Depending on your audition, who else is cast in other roles, and the vision of the director, you may be offered another part. By remaining open to other opportunities, you may find yourself excelling in a role you never before considered.