We've talked before about the ins and outs of auditioning for one-line roles. We've talked about auditioning on tape. But what about putting yourself on tape for small roles?
The challenge is in giving casting enough to get a sense of who you are and what you can do — without turning a small role into way more than it should be. The solution is definitely, unquestionably NOT to 'act more.' But what else can you do?
Send more than one take.
Depending on the role, you might send one in which you make an over-the-top character choice, and a subtler (or SLAP) version.
...Or one where your character feels one way about what they're saying or whom they're talking to, and another in which you make a different choice.
...Or one where you say exactly what's written, and one where you give yourself a "button" — a little extra something at the end of the scene to give it a sense of closure and show the decision-makers a little more than the script allows as written.
The great thing about putting yourself on tape, especially for small roles, is that you can control what the decision-makers see. So rather than feeling limited by a small role, look at it as an opportunity to have some fun and show them a few different things.
This can also work when you're reading in the room for small roles, especially if you have a relationship with the casting director. Often, they'll say, "let's try it a few different ways." But if they don't, use your judgement and consider suggesting it yourself, like "I'd like to try one clean and one with a button, if that's ok."
It'll be scary the first time you do it, and it's possible that the casting person will say no. But more likely, they'll run with it, you'll get a chance to show more than the role would otherwise allow, and most importantly, you'll have flexed your 'taking control of your audition' muscle! Well done!