This book provides a great outline as to what casting directors look for when making casting decisions. It grants insight in a broad aspect of boxes to tick before, during and after the audition. Not only that, Mr Shurtleff brings ideas that many actors do not take into consideration when looking at auditions. He provides key advices as to how to approach various situations, such as interviews, cold reads, and controlling false sense of "actor-director" hostility.

The second section halfway through the book is a set of 12 guidepost's supposedly to help actors prepare for their role. Although it is helpful for it to be there, I'm sure most actors like I are not picking this book up to learn how to act, more so to learn the business and processes behind auditions, as the title appropriately ascertains to.

Although I did find some sections are quite outdated (due to it being published in 1979), I nevertheless extracted much usefulness from this little book.

My concluding opinion on this book is that it is a must for amateur to intermediate actors. Whether you're looking at booking that first role or just keen on improving your chances of landing that role that will take your career to the next level, this book provides a brilliant vessel of knowledge to do just that.

An incredible reference for magnifying and Sensationalizing the common. I seemed like a pro (almost) on my first audition! It also helps to know whats in a directors mind - even if hes not conscious of what hes looking for!! I promise even if you arent in show bizz this is an invaluable glimpse into your own head in an effort to better understand the emotions and motivations of the world around us. With Kindest Wishes

...References and language that Shurtleff used in this book are now out-dated (it was published in 1978) but the information he provides is timeless...The real meat of Audition is the second chapter in which Shurtleff has outlined his 12 Guideposts. In fact for the acting class I took the guideposts were the reason this book was assigned...The rest of the chapters in Audition are full of valuable information as well but I would strongly recommend this book to actors and aspiring actors if only for the guideposts alone but the entire book is a valuable (but inexpensive!) resource I'm sure I will refer to time and again as I continue to gradually pursue acting as a hobby.

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As an actor, the audition process determines whether you will get a job or not. This book provides the essentials when preparing for an audition. You could have a week, or five minutes but with these guideposts you can deliver. I have been invited to audition for projects while reading. Cannot wait to finish to see how many projects I actually book.