AJ stands for Andrew Jackson, our 7th president. His reputation for toughness earned him the nickname "Old Hickory." A hero of the War of 1812, Jackson has appeared on the $20 bill since 1928.

If you get the part

You've auditioned and got in…what now? Maybe you've got tons of lines to memorize, and just can't remember what goes where, and why. Here are some tips to help you perform the best you can.

Practice at home quite a bit, so you can memorize everything. There are many ways you can memorize lines.
How to Memorize Lines

There are many ways to memorize, but my favorite is repetition.

Reading and rereading your part and the lines around it can help you become more familiar with your role. After a while, flip the script over and check to make sure you got it right. After doing that, start going completely off-book.

Tip: Memorize your cues as well. Cues are the lines before yours, and often you are responding to them.

Another trick I use a lot is to remember "trigger words." These are words in your cue that remind you of what you are going to say. This word can start with the same letter as one of the first few words of your line, it can rhyme, or be something that just sticks with you.

This is really nice when you have a couple lines that start similarly, and you can use it to identify which line is which.

Last, just make sure you know the story, and why your line is important. What does it do to move the story along? Knowing what happens next can help you remember what needs to be said next.

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If you have a big part, make your character seem real—like a person.

Who is my character?Who is my character?

Create a day-in-the-life story: Picture what your character goes through during a day. Is he grumpy because of his job, or is she happy about coming home to see her cuddly new puppy?

Figuring out what your character is feeling gives you a way to show it.

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One way to do that is to create a "backstory" about what your character was doing before the play, and how she came to be the way she is.

For example, let's say you're playing the part of a person who is claustrophobic. You could make up a story about how when she was four, her mean older cousin locked her in a closet during a game of hide and seek. Ever since then, she has been deathly afraid of small spaces.

The story just needs to be something that will help you understand what your character is feeling.

Just like when you audition, there are certain things you should and shouldn't do at rehearsal:

• Don't chew gum. I know a lot of directors are really bugged by this, because you can't speak right while you've got something in your mouth.
• Pay attention and don't gab with your friends when rehearsing.
• Use your manners and listen when told to do something. The director is your boss and you don't want to get fired.
• Try to make the most of rehearsals. No matter how much you practice at home, there is no substitute for being on the set with other actors.

Pros and cons

Acting can be really fun, but you should know that it costs money and takes time. Follow the links  to read the prosPros:

It's awesome to be in a play! I've made a lot of really good friends through theater, because they're there for the same reason I am, and enjoy the same things I do.

It is really good for boosting your confidence. The president of our school thespians club said, "One of the best ways to find out who you are is to pretend to be someone else." I agree with her 100%.

Close and cons so that you can decide if it's worth it for you.Cons:

A lot of the time you have to buy your costume and props. You may need to donate paint or wood to build the set as well. Some theaters will reimburse you, but you may have to pay for some things out-of-pocket.

Sometimes there is a fee to be in a community play. It is used to cover the cost of the set, costumes, makeup, and use of a stage. It isn't usually very much.

Being in a play takes up a lot of time. Even if you have the tiniest part, you still have to be at the rehearsals. It can take time away from homework, or your job. If you can't make many rehearsals because you have something else going on, you should consider not being in the play. Remember: School and your job should come first.

Transportation: Until you're old enough to drive, you will need transportation to and from practice. This can be really hard to find if your parents work or you don't live near where you practice.

Good luck!

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It's your time to shine! Time to Shine

Shine on!

All the work is worth it, so go for it!

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It's worth it

Now you know how to audition, how to practice at home, and how to behave at rehearsals. Even though there are some costs to being in a play, and a lot of sacrificed time, I definitely think that it is totally worth your time.

You meet so many awesome people, and it makes you really confident. I really hope this was helpful and interesting for you. Break a leg!

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