What are sides in acting?  

If you’ve been asked to audition for a speaking part, you’ll probably be given “sides” in advance. These mysterious-sounding things are simply short audition scripts, typically taken from the play you’re auditioning for. In this article, we take a closer look at acting sides along with how to prepare your side for audition.  

What are audition sides?

Audition sides are simply an excerpt from a script that’s used at an audition.  

They’re also known as acting sides, casting sides and script sides, and they can range from just a few lines to several pages long. 

Before an audition, your agent will send you the sides so you can prepare for the big day. The sides are often taken from the play you’re auditioning for, although in some cases you may be sent a “dummy script”. This happens if the play isn’t yet completely scripted or if it has to be kept under wraps for now. It’s also worth noting that not all casting panels use sides, and you may be asked to prepare something else instead, such as an audition monologue. 

The term “sides” seems like an odd way of saying “a bit of a script”; however, it’s a word steeped in theatrical history. Back in the old days of handwritten scripts, the actors were given just their own “side” of the dialogue, saving the poor scribe’s cramping hand from copying out the whole play again. It also prevented plagiarism as well as saving time, a big problem for playwrights in Shakespeare’s day. 

How to prepare a side

When you’re sent your casting side, what’s the best way to prepare for the audition? Here are some steps you can follow to make sure you feel ready. 

1. Search your sides for clues 

Sides for actors’ auditions may be as little as half a page long; however, put your detective’s hat on and search for clues on the page. Firstly, look for a page number. If it’s an excerpt from an existing longer script, there’ll be a page number, which will give you some idea of whereabouts in the play’ progress this particular side lands. Next, look at how your character’s name is written. If it’s in capital letters and written in full, your character is just being introduced. That can be a really helpful hint that they’re at the start of their arc in the play. 

2. Read the whole play 

Is your side from an existing play? If the whole script is publicly available, the casting panel will be expecting you to have read it. Investing a bit of time in reading the entire play definitely pays dividends when it comes to exploring characterisation. 

3. Develop the character

At the audition, the panel will want to see your interpretation of the role. This means spending as much time as you have delving into the character. Even though you have only a snippet of the script, apply the same ​​character development principles that you would for a whole play. Ask questions about the character, their motivations, their background, their part in the action. Actor Brian Cox summarises this nicely: 

“You’re playing what’s on the page, but you’re also playing a bit more than what’s on the page.” 

Don’t judge the character, which is easily done with a small amount of information. “Fill in the gaps”, as Brian Cox describes it, to create as fully rounded a performance as you can. 

Having done all this preparation, be prepared to be flexible at the audition. The panel will want to see that you can create your own interpretation of the role, but they also might ask you to play it in a certain way. 

3. Memorise your sides 

This is a moot point, and we discuss it in greater detail below. However, on balance, the better you know your lines, the more confident a performance you can give. However, make sure you have the script to hand… 

4. Take your sides to the audition

You know that feeling when the waiter doesn’t write down your order and you’re hoping they’ve remembered everything? That’s how the director and casting director feel when someone comes to an audition without their script. Even if you know your lines, bring your sides with you to reassure the casting team that you’re a pro. Remember one of the golden rules of auditioning: it’s always better to glance down at a script than to stumble over lines. 

If you want to get ahead of the game, you can practise working with sides even before you’ve been called for an audition. You can find audition sides examples online (or ask your agent), so you can become used to researching and rehearsing these short snippets of script. You rarely have the luxury of time when it comes to audition prep, so having a routine for preparing sides can be a big help. 

Do sides need to be memorised?

Ideally, you’ll have a chance to memorise your side before the audition. You’ll feel more confident if you know the lines, and it’s easier to perform if you’re not looking down. Auditioning “off book” (acting without the script) will also help you stand out above other auditionees who haven’t learned their lines. 

But… sometimes you’ll get the sides through from your agent just a day or two before the audition, which can leave you tight for time. In this case, prioritise character development and research above memorising your audition side. You’ll still have time to become familiar with the lines, enabling you to deliver a more natural performance than you would at a “cold read”. 

Occasionally, you may be asked to attend a cold read audition, where you won’t be given a script in advance. This tends to be for voice-over or commercial work rather than for film, TV or theatre roles, and the performance unions usually disapprove of cold reading. 

When you’re given your sides, treat them as you would any script: learn them as well as you can during the time you have, and take a deep dive into the character. We’ll leave you with the wise words of actor Brian Cox. 

“Commit fully to the role. Give yourself to it entirely, so that you leave the audition knowing that you have acquitted yourself to the best of your ability.” 

Make sure you’re prepared for any future auditions by taking advice from the Maestro himself, actor Brian Cox. In his BBC Maestro course on Acting, Brian discusses all aspects of working as an actor, including the audition process.