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

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

Eric Shefer Stevens: Yes, I went for Mary Clay. She had been a time or two before for different parts, not sure what. Yes, it went very well. I went in and read for her, and it was just with her. Reading the scene, I guess it was a made up scene. It wasn’t something that really figured into the story.

I figured out who the guy was, or how I’d like to play him, and I did, and it worked out. But that doesn’t excite you or anything. You have so many auditions that go well, but they never go anywhere. So, you train yourself not to get carried away. Otherwise, you would be emotionally battered all the time.

So, they called me in to do it, and Chris Goutman was there. And then a 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 Shefer Stevens: Yeah, I’m sure it was on the tape the second and third time. Pretty sure. Vaguely sure.

Susan Dansby: And when you came in to do the same with Van, were there other actors there? Were you aware of other people auditioning?

Eric Shefer Stevens: They had narrowed it down to three by then.

Susan Dansby: So how does it feel when you see these three guys go up for the same role you’re after?

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

So, you’re just sitting in the room, and you’re just talking, and like, I guess, in a self-preservation kind of way, you assume someone else will understand. And that takes responsibility away from you. Just do what you planned to do in the room. As long as you do that, you feel good about hearing. That’s all you have control over.

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

Eric Shefer Stevens: Oh no. If you’re in movies, pilots, all television, they always record you.

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

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

Susan Dansby: I suppose that would be drama.

Eric Shefer 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 a different room than the audition room.

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

Any experience you have behind you always helps, because it makes you feel more comfortable. The more comfortable you feel, the more likely it is that you will actually do what you have planned and not get discouraged.

Susan Dansby: One of the things that Chris Goutman talked about is that he wants to [actors] come and be themselves, which is pretty much the hardest thing in the world in a listening situation.

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