Actor Eric Sheffer Stevens: auditioning for Reid and being cast as Reid in As the World Turns

Actor Eric Sheffer Stevens talks about the actual auditioning process that led to his recurring role on the soap opera as Dr. Reid Oliver on As the World Turns. Eric shares a joke that helps him keep the proper perspective during auditions.

Susan Dansby: So how did you get the job? The world turns? Did you read scenes with Mary Clay Boland, the casting director? What was the process?

Eric Sheffer Stevens: Yes, I went for Mary Clay. I had been to different parts once or twice before, not sure what. Yes, it turned out very well. I went in and read to her, and it was just with her. Reading the scene, I guess it was a made-up scene. It was not something that really figured in history.

I understood who the boy was, or how I would like to play him, and I did that, and it worked out well. But that doesn’t excite you or anything. You have so many auditions that go well, but they never get anywhere. Therefore, he trains himself not to get carried away. Otherwise, emotionally, he would be abused all the time.

So, they called me for that and Chris Goutman was there. And then for the third time I think they actually brought Van [Van Hansis, Luke, As the World Turns] to read with me, because they knew the story was eventually going to go that way.

Susan Dansby: Now when they called you the second time, was that when they recorded you? Or was it the third time?

Eric Sheffer Stevens: Yes, I’m sure it was recorded for the second and third time. Pretty sure. Vaguely sure.

Susan Dansby: And when you came to do the same with Van, were there other actors there? Did you know that other people were auditioning?

Eric Sheffer Stevens: By then it had been reduced to three.

Susan Dansby: So how does it feel when you see these three guys climb the same part that you are looking for?

Eric Sheffer Stevens: That’s another thing you’re used to. There is an old joke: I was in the New Yorker actually this guy showing up at a cafe with his two friends, and he’s very excited. And he says, “Guys, guys, I just heard from my agent, it’s between me and the guy!”

So, you’re sitting in the room, and you just talk, and in a way, I guess, in a self-preservation way, you assume that someone else is going to get it. And that takes away your responsibility. Just do what you planned to do in the room. As long as you do, you will feel good about hearing. That’s all you have control over.

Susan Dansby: Have you been recorded before in different listening situations? Was this a new experience for you?

Eric Sheffer Stevens: Oh no. If you’re in a movie, in pilots, everything on television, they always record you on tape.

Susan Dansby: Well, tell me this, Eric. For being a new actor, don’t you think it really helps to have all the experience you had in school, and after school, and studying, just to prepare for those situations? Isn’t it incredibly intimidating if you’ve never done it before?

Eric Sheffer Stevens: Yes it is. I mean, it takes a long time to get used to. And there were definitely different mediums in which he was strongest to begin with.

Susan Dansby: I would assume that would be theater.

Eric Sheffer Stevens: I felt comfortable with it, auditioning for it, I knew what it was. It definitely sucked at first auditioning for commercials, auditioning for television. It’s a completely different style, it’s also just a different room than the audition room.

Auditioning is completely different from your real job. It’s another completely different skill. Being able to audition well is very different from being able to rehearse and be a good actor. So it takes a little time to develop that.

Any experience you have behind your back always helps, because it makes you feel more comfortable. The more comfortable you feel, the more likely you are to actually do what you had planned and not get carried away with it.

Susan Dansby: One of the things Chris Goutman talked about is that he wants [actors] come in and be themselves, which is the hardest thing in the world at an audition.

Eric Sheffer Stevens: I think you have to get to a place where you feel very comfortable with who you are and with new people, and a situation that is completely unfamiliar before you walk through the door. The more you do that, the more prepared you will be to do it.