Somebody please tell me...

I believe they are dialogue samples, not necessarily continuous, gathered from several scenes or even several plays or screenplays to allow the auditioning actor to deliver various emotional angles in quick succession. Time to dust off "Hamlet" and brush up on the best soliloquies! And maybe throw in a little of the Scottish Play, "Let fall thy blade 'pon vulnerable crests, for I bear a charm'd life, which must not yield to one of woman born." Break a leg!

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity.

If you are going up for a specific part, "sides" are the scene or scenes that all the actors trying out for the part read in the casting session. They are usually provided through an online service a few days prior to your appointment.

If you are just going into a general meeting witth a casting director, then they are offering you to bring in "sides" to read with them. In that case, pick a scene you have worked on in a class. It's best if it's a two person scene, no more than three script pages. You should probably have your part memorized but take in two copies and hold yours to 'glance' at as you do the scene with the reader.

Good Luck.

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the sides should be taken from your script. pick a couple of important scenes where the actors can really show their ability. pick scenes that include all the major actors too so they can audition for specific parts. pick scenes that will help them decide who is best for which part. you can also write up short character bios for the actors to look at so if they want to choose a particular part to audition for then they know which one fits them best. have fun!