Audition Recovery

Since we pushed the audition agenda so heavily this month, lets talk about what happens after.  What if you didn’t get a part?  Or what if you didn’t get the part you wanted?

We all come to community theatre with different backgrounds.  

Some of us are studying theatre in school, and want to soak in every experience available.  Some of us are professionals who want to hone the craft on a more forgiving platform.  Some of us are a little bored with everyday life and just want something fun and engaging to focus on.  All of us are to be commended for putting ourselves in a vulnerable position.  

(Full disclosure: I have personally only auditioned 4 times.  Never got the role I wanted.  Always ended up loving the role I was given.)

The audition panel has a tough job deciding which actor fits which role, and then determining whether the puzzle pieces will fit together with sizzling chemistry.

I’ve been on the audition panel for our children’s productions, and I know how they agonize over every little part, and every little actor.  The Arts Smarts team gives a role to each child who auditions.  But the grown-up community shows are, of course, more like adult life: not all who apply can get the job.

Just in case I’m not the only one who gets highly emotional and stressed out over auditioning, here are some tips for adjusting your perspective from a more seasoned actress and auditioner: Julie Doud  {who self-reports getting cast about half the time, once in awhile gets awesome dream roles, always tries to bring her “A” game, and generally believes even disappointing casting usually ends up for the best}

YES, that’s the kinda gal we need to hear from!  Ok, take it away Julie:

• True failure at being an actor can only happen if you don’t try.  It is courageous to audition for a show – to try and to fail is an excellent accomplishment in and of itself.

• I know it’s hard, but try to remember and believe sometimes not getting a part is truly not a reflection on your own merits and suitability for a role on its own.  Many times it has a lot more to do with other actors who auditioned for other parts and how the pieces fit together.  I’ve directed a handful of shows and know this first-hand.

• Be gracious no matter the outcome.  Audition outcomes are always an opportunity to practice grace – whether you are denied something you greatly desire, get cast as something you feel luke-warm about, or get the BEST ROLE EVER  be gracious in rejection, be gracious toward those who did not get cast or who wanted your part, be gracious to the person who got the role you wanted.  Always respect the opportunities you are given.

  

• When you audition, even when you aren’t cast, you are laying groundwork.  Someone noticed your talent, your effort.  You learned something by doing the audition, you will have new and better approaches next time.  Maybe you put a new monologue under your belt.  Someone will remember you when you come back for another audition.  

• One of my acting teachers once told me that for an actor “the audition is the work, and the work is the perk.”  If you want to act and to be an actor then you just keep working at it, just keep auditioning, brush yourself off again and again.  Sometimes it begins to feel like there is only one possible production of one possible play with only one possible character that will make you a happy fulfilled actor.  But there are many opportunities in theatre – find your niche, join an acting workshop, pay your dues, have fun with the part you are given (it might end up becoming one of your favorite roles), work your way up, and just keep swimming.

  

• Think about it – even the most talented actors and actresses in the world can’t and don’t get to play all the roles they would like to have.  Every actor builds a career piece by piece.

• Last but not least, a production needs more than the cast.  When you don’t get a part, take a moment to breathe, readjust, and figure out if there is another way you would like to get involved.  Working behind the scenes allows the production team a chance to get to know you, and that can help you out the next time you decide to audition.  

(Speaking of… someone help us remember to take a professional quality photograph of the amazing people running the tech booth in our next production.) And thanks Julie, for the words of wisdom!

 

2016-07-28 09:10:14