Everything You Need To Know About Open Call Auditions
Here are 20 tips for preparing for Open Calls.
The Open Call is still an actor’s dream and, at the same time, one of the most nerve-wracking experiences you can step into. Imagine walking into a space filled with other actors, all waiting for their moment, knowing your audition time may last only a minute or two. That mix of excitement and pressure is what makes open auditions so unique.
Unlike closed auditions, where talent agents submit a select group of performers, open auditions create access. They allow any aspiring actor, whether new or experienced, to step into the room and be seen by casting directors. That openness is exactly what makes them powerful and why they attract so many performers.
In 2026, the experience has evolved. Open calls are no longer limited to physical spaces. Many now happen through an online casting website or platforms like Casting Frontier, where actors can submit or even audition virtually. This shift has expanded opportunities, but it has also increased competition, as performers are no longer competing only with the people in the room but with talent from other locations.
Because of this, strong acting skills alone are not always enough. The ability to prepare strategically, present yourself clearly, and make an immediate impression has become just as important. Open calls remain one of the few direct entry points into the industry, but succeeding in them now requires a more intentional approach.
This guide will walk you through how to navigate that experience, so you can walk into any open call with clarity, confidence, and a stronger chance of standing out.
Understanding the Different Types of Open Calls
Open calls today exist in multiple formats, and understanding how each one works can help you prepare more effectively. The three most common types are in-person auditions, virtual or live auditions, and self-tape submissions. While they all serve the same purpose of giving actors access to opportunities, the experience and expectations can differ depending on the format.
In-person open calls are the traditional format, where actors arrive at a venue, wait their turn, and perform in front of a casting team. During the audition, actors may be asked to slate by stating their name and the role they are auditioning for. Auditions can include singing or performing a short monologue, and dancers may also be asked to participate in a group choreography routine. These sessions are often fast-paced, and casting teams rely heavily on first impressions and how well you carry yourself in the room.
Virtual or live auditions follow a similar structure but take place online, allowing actors to perform in real time from different locations. The main difference here is how your performance translates through a screen, which requires greater awareness of framing, eyeline, and energy. Even in this format, casting directors often keep a list of their favorite actors based on their auditions, so consistency and professionalism still matter regardless of the setting.
Self-tape open calls have also become a standard part of the process, where actors record and submit their auditions instead of performing live. This format gives you more control over your performance, but it also requires attention to detail in terms of presentation and quality. What casting teams expect here is clarity, strong delivery, and a clean, professional setup that reflects your effort and preparation.
Beyond the format itself, knowing where to find these opportunities is equally important. Building a network of actors, directors, and producers is important for discovering local open calls, and local acting schools and workshops may have information about them. Attending industry events, such as film festivals and acting seminars, can help you learn about open calls from industry professionals. Ultimately, no matter the format, casting directors issue offers to selected candidates, after which producers and the actor's representation handle contract discussions, so every audition is also a chance to position yourself for future opportunities.
What an Open Call Looks Like In 2026
Open casting in 2026 is no longer a one-size-fits-all experience. While the core idea remains the same, giving performers a chance to be seen without going through talent agents, the format has expanded to match how the industry now operates.
You will still find traditional in-person auditions, where actors gather at a venue, sign in, wait their turn, and step into the room to perform. These are often tied to theatre productions, tours, or major industry events where casting happens at scale. At the same time, virtual or live auditions have become more common, with performers joining sessions remotely and auditioning in real time from different locations.
Another major format is the tape audition, in which actors submit recorded performances rather than appearing in person. This has become a standard option for many productions, allowing casting teams to review more submissions more efficiently.
One thing that has not changed is the volume of people these auditions attract. Open calls tend to attract significantly more performers than scheduled auditions. Because of this, the environment is often fast-paced and highly competitive. Casting teams are usually working through a large number of actors in a limited time, which means decisions are made quickly and often based on immediate impressions.
Preparation still plays a key role in how you are perceived. It is important for actors to bring a headshot and resume to open call auditions, as these help the casting team quickly understand your background and experience. Actors should arrive at open call auditions with plenty of time to spare to show professionalism, as punctuality and readiness are often noted before you even step into the room.
Once it is your turn, the process is usually brief and direct. During an open call, actors may be asked to perform a short scene or monologue to showcase their skills. This is the moment when your acting skills need to be clear, focused, and easy to read within a short time frame.
What makes open calls today different is the scale and diversity of the talent pool. You are not just being seen alongside a handful of performers, but often among a wide range of actors from different backgrounds, experiences, and locations. This has made the process more competitive and more inclusive.
For anyone navigating their acting journey, understanding how open calls work today is essential. Whether you are stepping into a room physically or submitting digitally, the goal remains the same: to make a strong, immediate impression that helps you stand out.
Before the Audition: Preparation Is Your Advantage
Preparation is what separates a confident performance from one that feels rushed or uncertain. In open calls, where many factors like time limits, competition, and quick decision-making come into play, how you prepare often matters just as much as how you perform. You may only have a short window to present yourself, so everything leading up to that moment needs to be intentional. Aspiring actors should prepare for long waits by bringing water and snacks to open-call auditions, as the process can take hours, and energy levels need to be maintained from start to finish.
1. Know the Show
Many actors show up without understanding the production, but researching the storyline, tone, and audience helps you tailor your performance to a specific role, rather than being generic. In the entertainment industry, casting decisions depend on many factors, such as character fit and age range, so this awareness strengthens your acting skills and direction, whether it is your first time or you already have an agent. Auditions can include singing or performing a short monologue, and dancers may also be asked to participate in a group routine, so knowing the show helps you prepare properly. It is common for actors to never hear back after an audition if they are not selected, though strong preparation can lead to a second audition. Afterwards, follow up with a thank-you note to build a professional relationship with the casting director.
2. Know Your Casting Type
Knowing the show is not enough; you also need to understand the type of character you can realistically play and choose the right monologue or scene that reflects that. In open casting calls, most casting directors are not trying to figure you out during the audition process; they respond faster to actors who present a clear identity through their acting choices, whether in person or through self-tape auditions. This is something even experienced actors focus on, because your scene and overall acting should immediately show where you fit without turning the moment into an interview. Casting directors assess the chemistry between actors during auditions, so aligning with a specific character increases your chances of being cast for that role. To stay prepared, many actors attend industry events and use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find opportunities for open casting calls. The goal is to present a strong, believable character with clarity and hope, not to try to fit every role.
3. Choose the Right Material
If you have the freedom to choose your piece, go for a material you genuinely connect with, because that natural connection is what makes your performance feel real and engaging. At the same time, be careful to stay within the production's tone, whether stage or film, so your choice aligns with what the casting team is looking for. Open calls allow actors from all backgrounds to audition, making them a popular choice for newcomers and experienced actors alike, so your material needs to help you stand out in the middle of a large group. Prepare a contrasting option in case you are invited to show something different, and make sure you know your lines well enough to perform confidently from start to finish. Arrive ready to deliver like a professional, because the right choice of material can open up new opportunities and move you closer to building a sustainable acting life.
4. Be Fully Prepared
There is nothing more unsettling than forgetting your lines in open auditions, but preparation gives you the confidence to recover quickly and continue like a professional. Memorize your material well enough that even if you slip, you can restart or transition smoothly without losing composure, as casting teams often focus on how you handle the moment, not just the mistake itself. For example, if you pause and confidently pick back up, it shows control and readiness, which can still leave a strong impression and even get you invited to the next stage. Today’s open auditions often extend beyond physical spaces to casting websites, so you also need to rehearse for both stage and camera delivery to ensure your performance translates well in any format. Treat every opportunity as a professional, whether in person or on casting websites, because strong preparation keeps you grounded under pressure.
5. Be Energetic
It is no secret that open auditions can be long days for everyone involved, so bringing consistent energy into casting calls makes a noticeable difference. Whether you are at the beginning or the end of casting calls, casting teams respond quickly to actors who show genuine enthusiasm and readiness to work. In open auditions, where many performers are seen back-to-back, your energy helps you stand out and stay memorable even in a crowded lineup. This applies across casting calls, whether you found them through a website or attended in person, as your presence should feel just as strong in every setting. Energy is contagious, and in open auditions, being the person who lifts the room can leave a lasting impression that goes beyond your performance.
6. Be Flexible With Your Time
Open auditions often involve long waiting periods, so it is important to plan your day with flexibility and arrive early to avoid being rushed. Patience in these situations shows professionalism and a strong team spirit, which casting directors notice, especially during busy sessions. Online casting websites like Backstage and Casting Networks list a variety of open calls for actors, and you can find local open calls by searching reputable casting call websites, but once you commit to one, you need to be prepared for the time it takes. Staying calm and present, rather than watching the clock, helps you remain focused and ready when your moment comes.
7. Dress to Impress
What you wear to open auditions creates your first impression before you even begin, so aim for something neat, simple, and role-appropriate that reflects professionalism without distracting from your performance. A good rule is to dress like you are ready for rehearsal, comfortable, confident, and aligned with the type of role you are going for. Open calls tend to draw significantly more performers than scheduled auditions because they are accessible to unrepresented talent, so standing out visually in a clean and intentional way matters. Open auditions are often used for projects that need a large number of actors or extras, while casting calls are for specific roles, which means your appearance should still help the casting team quickly place you within the project. Avoid anything too casual or distracting, as the goal is to support your performance, not take attention away from it.
8. Wear the Right Shoes
Your footwear should support your performance, not distract from it, so choose shoes you can move confidently in without discomfort or risk. This matters more than most actors consider when preparing for an open call, especially if the audition involves any physicality, staging, or a dance component. If you are struggling to walk steadily or stay balanced, the focus shifts away from your performance and onto your discomfort, which the casting team will notice even if they cannot name it.
For dance calls specifically, footwear is a practical necessity. Bring the appropriate shoes for the style being taught: character shoes, jazz shoes, or clean trainers, depending on the genre, and avoid anything with slippery soles, excessive heel height, or straps that could come undone mid-routine. If you are unsure of the call's requirements, it is better to bring two pairs and decide on the day than to be caught underprepared. Even for non-dance auditions, avoid anything that makes noise when you walk, restricts your range of motion, or draws attention to your feet rather than your face and delivery. Comfort and control from the moment you walk in help you stay fully present and focused on what actually matters.
9. Keep Any Complaining To Yourself
Complaining during open auditions can do more harm than you think, because you never know who is listening or how your words might be interpreted. The audition space is shared, and even casual conversations can create the wrong impression if taken out of context. Maintaining a calm and positive attitude shows professionalism and respect for the process, so if you need to vent, do it outside the audition environment, not in the holding room, where it could affect how you are perceived.
10. Maintain Professionalism In The Audition Room
Trying to force small talk with the casting team may seem like a way to stand out, but it can come across as unnecessary, especially when they are seeing many performers in a limited time. What makes a stronger impression is walking in prepared, focused, and ready to work, without distractions. Respecting their time and following directions demonstrates professionalism and, in turn, creates a smoother, more positive interaction for everyone in the room.
11. Use the “Who’s In The Room” Sheet to Your Advantage
Many open calls provide a “who’s in the room” sheet at check-in, and taking a moment to review it can help you walk in with more awareness and confidence. Knowing who is on the casting team or in the room helps you mentally prepare and avoid being caught off guard, especially if key decision-makers are involved. It is a simple step, but being informed helps you stay composed and focused, which can positively affect how you present yourself from the moment you enter.
12. Have an Extra Resume Ready
Always keep an extra copy of your resume easily accessible, as small details like this can work in your favor. The accompanist and other team members often remain in the room throughout the day and may briefly look through materials, which can help them remember you later. Being prepared and organized shows professionalism and increases the chances that your name comes up positively in conversations after your audition.
13. Talk to Your Fellow Auditionees
Connecting with other actors while you wait can ease nerves and completely shift the atmosphere in your favor. A friendly conversation can help you relax, stay present, and feel more comfortable before stepping into the room, which often reflects in your performance. Instead of sitting in tension for hours, building light connections can boost your confidence and make the entire experience feel more manageable.
14. Be Respectful to All Staff
How you treat people outside the audition room matters just as much as how you perform inside it. The individuals checking you in or assisting with the process are often part of the casting office, and your behavior around them can be noted and shared. Being polite, approachable, and respectful shows professionalism and consistency in attitude, which can strengthen your overall impression and increase your chances of being remembered positively.
15. Focus on Acting, Not Just Delivery
Act your material, do not just perform it. Whether you are singing or delivering lines, what stands out is the emotion, intention, and story you bring into the moment. Casting teams hear many strong voices, but it is the performers who connect deeply and make the scene feel real from the first beat that get remembered. Avoid simply reciting or singing through your piece, and focus on storytelling, because that is what leads to callbacks.
16. Position Yourself Strategically (Dance Calls)
Where you stand during a dance call can influence how you are seen, so choose a position that matches your skill level and allows you to perform confidently. If you are strong, staying closer to the front helps you pick up choreography quickly and remain visible, while those still building confidence can position themselves where they can clearly follow without pressure. The goal is to stay visible yet comfortable, learn efficiently, and perform naturally without overdoing it, so your focus remains on execution rather than attention-seeking.
17. Ask Clear and Relevant Questions
If you are unsure about something during the audition, it is better to ask than to guess and get it wrong, but how and when you ask matters just as much as what you ask. In a dance call, especially, a poorly timed or vague question can slow down the entire session and put you in an awkward position with the choreographer or casting team. Before you speak up, make sure you have genuinely listened to the full explanation and that your question has not already been answered.
When you do ask, be specific and brief. Instead of saying "I didn't really get the whole thing," try "Could you show the transition from the second eight count one more time?" That kind of precision tells the room you were paying attention and just need one targeted clarification, which reads as professional rather than unprepared. Keep your questions relevant to the task at hand, not to logistics, personal feedback, or things better asked after the session. Avoid asking questions that are really requests for reassurance; casting teams are not there to coach you through nerves in the moment. Save those conversations for after, and if the opportunity does not arise, let the performance speak for itself.
18. Minimize Distractions
Leave unnecessary items in the holding room so you can walk into the audition space focused, unencumbered, and fully present. This includes bags, coats, extra layers of clothing, food, water bottles, and anything else you do not specifically need for the audition itself. Carrying extra things into the room creates small but real problems. You have to decide where to put them; you may reach for them out of habit when you are nervous, and they can physically get in the way during a movement-based call.
Beyond the practical, walking in light signals readiness. It tells the casting team that you know exactly why you are there and what you are about to do. In contrast, someone who enters juggling belongings, setting things down, and settling in for an extra thirty seconds before they are ready can unintentionally communicate disorganization even if their performance is strong. Think of the moment you step through the door as the beginning of your audition, not a neutral transition. The more streamlined your entry, the faster you can shift into performance mode, and the stronger your first impression will be before you even open your mouth.
19. Be Ready Immediately
Have your material prepared before you walk into the room so you can begin without delays or confusion. Being ready from the first moment shows organization, confidence, and respect for the process. Avoid fumbling through pages or searching for your cut, as a smooth start sets the tone for a strong and professional performance.
20. Be Yourself and Enjoy the Process
At the end of the day, authenticity is what makes you memorable, so allow your personality to come through in your performance. Casting teams can sense when someone is genuinely enjoying the moment, and that confidence often translates into a stronger impression. There is nothing wrong with having fun while doing your job, so embrace the experience, stay present, and let that natural energy elevate your performance.
Common Mistakes Actors Make at Open Calls
Even strong performers can miss opportunities at open calls due to avoidable mistakes. Because the process is fast and competitive, small missteps can affect how you are perceived almost immediately. Understanding these common pitfalls can help you stay intentional, focused, and better prepared to make a strong impression.
Lack of Preparation
Walking into an audition without fully knowing your material or the production puts you at a disadvantage. Open calls move quickly, so there is little room to figure things out on the spot. Being well prepared allows you to stay confident, recover smoothly if needed, and present yourself as someone who takes the process seriously.
Poor Material Choices
Choosing material that does not align with the project's tone or your casting type can make it harder for the casting team to place you. Your monologue or song should highlight your strengths and fit naturally within the world of the production. The wrong choice can make even a strong performer feel out of place.
Overperforming or Underperforming
Striking the right balance in your performance is key. Overperforming can feel forced or unnatural, while underperforming may come across as a lack of effort or confidence. The goal is to stay grounded, present, and intentional so your performance feels authentic and easy to connect with.
Unprofessional Behavior
How you carry yourself before, during, and after the audition matters just as much as your performance. Complaining, being unprepared, or disrespecting the process can leave a negative impression. Maintaining a professional attitude at all times shows that you are reliable, easy to work with, and ready for the demands of the industry.
How AI and Casting Tech Are Changing Open Calls in 2026
The audition process has always been shaped by the tools available to the people running it, and 2026 is no different. AI-assisted technology has moved from experimental to standard across many casting calls, and actors who understand this shift are better positioned to navigate it.
Pre-screening is where the change is most visible. For large-scale casting calls, many productions now use AI tools to review self-tape submissions before a human ever watches them. These systems scan for technical quality, clarity of delivery, and whether the submission matches the breakdown brief. It does not mean a machine is deciding your career, but a poorly lit or inaudible tape may never reach the casting directors who actually matter. You do not want to worry about an avoidable technical error being the reason you did not move forward.
Digital slating has also become more standardized across major casting platforms. Where actors once simply said their name to the camera, structured slates now routinely capture name, union status, and representation details in a consistent format. Check that your profile information is current before submitting to any casting calls, because outdated details can cause confusion and cost you a callback for something entirely unrelated to your performance.
For self-tapes, technical quality is no longer optional. A neutral background, a key light slightly above eye level, clean audio, and a camera locked at eye height are the baseline. These are not stylistic preferences but the conditions under which your performance can actually be evaluated fairly. A medium close-up framed just below the chest gives casting directors enough to read your face and physicality without feeling cramped or distant.
The technology has not replaced what makes casting calls worth showing up to. The energy in a waiting room, the instinct a casting director builds over years, the moment someone walks in and commands the space, none of that has changed. What has changed is that you now need to clear a technical leg of the process before any of that begins. A friend in the industry might tell you to just focus on the performance, and that is not wrong. But preparation and presentation are now one and the same, and treating them separately is a break from reality that the current process will not forgive.
Building Long-Term Success Through Open Calls
Open calls are not just about booking a role in the moment; they are part of a bigger journey in building a sustainable acting career. Every audition is an opportunity to grow, be seen, and position yourself within the industry, even if the outcome is not immediate.
One of the biggest advantages of open calls is the chance to build connections. Each audition places you in front of casting teams and alongside other actors, creating opportunities to be remembered beyond a single performance. Over time, these interactions can turn into professional relationships that open doors in unexpected ways.
Consistency also plays a major role in long-term success. Showing up regularly, improving your craft, and staying active in auditions helps you build confidence and visibility. The more you put yourself out there, the more familiar you become with the process, and the easier it is to perform at your best under pressure.
It is equally important to learn from every experience. Each audition teaches you something, whether it is about your material, your delivery, or how you present yourself. Reflecting on what worked and what did not allows you to make adjustments and grow stronger with each opportunity.
Finally, small moments can lead to bigger ones. Even if you do not book a role immediately, making a strong impression can lead to future consideration, callbacks, or new opportunities. Staying committed, patient, and intentional at each step helps you make open calls a meaningful part of your acting career.
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