Audition Time: The Question Moment

Hey actors. Quick gut check.

Have you ever been in an in-person audition or zoom callback, a casting director smiles at you and says, “Do you have any questions?”...

And you go...blank?

You flip through your sides, you hem and haw, you finally mumble, “No, I’m good.”

Or maybe even worse—you start the scene, get halfway through—and THEN remember you had a question?  Ugh.

Yeah...no. We need to talk about this. 

Time for a Reality Check

I see this all the time in my Audition Technique classes at Actorsite.

It’s so common. And here’s the thing—it’s not just awkward, it actually makes you seem unprepared.

Now, of course, it’s absolutely okay to ask a question if you genuinely have one.

But standing there trying to think what your question may have been on the spot—or worse, remembering mid-scene...that’s not a good look.

It reads as spacey. It reads like you didn’t prepare. And that’s the last impression you want to leave.

My Simple Pro Tip That Changes Everything

Here’s one of the simplest pro tips I give my students—and it changes everything:

When you prep your sides, at the top left corner of your first page, write Questions:

ALWAYS write that word. Then, you’re going to do one of two things:

• Option 1: If you have no questions? Write “None.” That way when they ask, you can glance down, see it, and say clearly and confidently, “No questions. I'm good to go.”
• Option 2: If you do have a question? Write it down. One simple note.

Either way—you look prepared. You are prepared. And you keep momentum moving the way a pro does.  Get in the habit of ALWAYS doing this with your scenes (whether it’s a scene for class or an audition).

The Truth About Casting Director Interaction 

Let’s be clear here. You do not need to ask a question just to create extra interaction with the casting director.

That’s not the kind of moment that builds trust—it can actually signal insecurity.

Casting isn’t looking for actors who try to linger (and it’s SO obvious). They’re looking for actors who deliver.

Your job is to show up ready to work—not to try and squeeze in bonus banter. 

Let your work shine for you…

Smart Questions vs. Homework Questions 

Now, let’s talk about what kinds of questions are okay to ask if needed.

• Questions that clarify vital script info not obvious from the material.
• Questions about relationship dynamics if the script is vague.
• Questions about tone (especially if it’s a pilot with no source research to grab)

BUT—(and it's a big but)—you  SHOULD NOT ask questions that you could have figured out with a tiny bit of research on your own.  Again, don’t make it seem like you’ve barely prepared.

Don’t know how to pronounce a character’s name on a hit TV show? Look it up. Watch an episode or YouTube trailers of the show.

Auditioning to play a congressperson and don’t understand a political reference? Google it.  You want to fully understand why your character is saying what they’re saying in the first place (this is prep work, not day of audition work)…a little research will not only educate yourself, but it’ll give you much more confidence.

This is your job. It's building and understanding the world you’re stepping into.

The Power of Purposeful Curiosity 

As Albert Einstein said, "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."

Curiosity is powerful—when it builds your craft, not when it replaces doing your homework.

Bottom Line 

TL;DR - Having questions is great. Being a walking question mark? Not so much.