i have a question about auditioning.?

Lots of good answers here.

I would add that it's good to remember that the people you're auditioning for *want* you to do well. They're not there to criticize you; they're there to find someone who fits the part. And I would emphasize the "be yourself" advice, rather than trying to be something you think they want.

I used to get terrified for auditions!

I recommend watching an audition if you get the chance. You will quickly realize that the person you're auditioning for really wants you to be good. He/she is looking at you with a hopeful eye, not a critical one. Remember that they WANT to like you.

Also just be yourself. Directors want to know what kind of people they will be working with. Don't try to be what you think the director wants, because you have no idea what the director wants. Just be yourself. Let the auditors see that you are nice, fun, confident, and would be great to work with. (That can be just as important as how talented you are.) Practice your slate. (The part where you introduce yourself and your audition material.)

Dress to impress. Don't go crazy and dress in some ball gown, but you should look like you take whatever it is your auditioning for seriously. Don't dress in costume, but if you know anything about the characters in the play (if you're auditioning for a play) make sure your outfit will allow the auditors to imagine you in that play. (You would wear something different to an Oklahoma audition than you would for a Phantom of the Opera audition.) Also, if you get called back wear the same outfit. It will help the auditors remember who you are.

There are many more tips, I find these ones very useful whenever I audition.

For more information I highly recommend Michael Shurtleff's book: Audition.

Edit: As for looking the auditors in the eyes. Yes, during your slate. No, during your performance. Unless your monologue/scene is written to break the 'forth wall.' (talking to the audience.) Otherwise stay in the moment, and don't perform AT the auditors.

Don't read the lines, read the character.

The biggest mistake people do in an audition is show up and read like they're reading written lines on a page with some emotion.

The key to acting is to make them believe these are YOUR words. Read them to yourself, listen to the words in your head and say it outloud how you would say it if YOU were the one saying it.

If it helps, read to yourself in the mirror, but I've found it's more distracting than anything else. Talk outloud to yourself as if you were having a conversation with someone.

As to how to stay calm?

You're going to have silent eyes staring at you. It's unnerving. You know they're judging you and it's freaky. The only thing you can do is, as I said, don't read the lines as if they were written, read them as if they were your own. Look the casting people in the eyes and speak to them as if you know them. Put yourself in the mindset of the character you're reading for and your eyes will sell what your words do not.

Do something that can show range of volume, tone, and action. The lines don't even have to make much sense. The people listening don't care about the words, anyway. (Unless they GIVE you what you're supposed to read).

The two biggest mistakes are: Auditions that can't be heard (mumbling), and auditions that are too long.

Make it quick, make it clear and audible. And say "Thank you."

You'll be in the top half immediately. Break a leg!

This question bothered me for a few years but i have finally conquered my fears of auditioning. To practice for auditions do not only practice the fun parts that you like to play. work on the hard parts and play the whole piece down once a day to see what needs improvement. When going into auditions it depends it it is a blind audition or not. a blind audition is where the judges do not know who you are. I have had many of these. The judges sat with their backs to me. To me that is more nerveracking then a regular audition. When going into any audition, take slow deep breaths into the pit of your stomach (not into your chest!) It is proven that if you breath as low into your stomach as possible it calms you down. this is because the spot you are breathing into (below your belly button) controls many of your nerves. That calms me down and will work for you! I promise!