ActingSmarts on Local and Regional Theatres

For anyone who auditions regularly you do develop a tough skin, but starting out and staying with it is tough because rejection hurts. It hurts more at the beginning because you haven’t worked out all the behavioral defenses, but deep down it still hurts even the most experienced performer.

Performers in particular want to be loved by everyone. An audition is an example of their talent. If you reject their audition, you reject their talent–or so it seems. I’m here to tell you it’s not true.

Good talent doesn’t always make the cut, often for reasons you have no knowledge of. Here’s one example I hate: the director has pre-cast the show and didn’t tell anybody. He or she sees a blond in that role, and you are not. It’s sometimes that simple. Some directors are a stickler for rules so if you violate one, you’re out. If you are late for your audition appointment, nothing may be said, but it may be cause to eliminate you. Some things you may think are ridiculous, but to the director, it’s a way to eliminate potential problems.