Keep it positive…

There is a game I am all too familiar with. If you are a performer, I’m sure you are too. It’s called the “feel sorry for myself” game. Also known as the “pity-party” game. And I refuse to play it.

I had a 4 hour callback yesterday. I showed up with 50+ other girls who all looked vaguely like me, each of us competing for 4 spots in a regional theater musical. Yes, 4. I sang my prepared callback music, learned a butt-kicking dance combo, and then waited for the cut. The production team kept roughly 12 girls. I gathered my stuff, tried to think positive thoughts, and walked out of the building. I was amazed at the conversations I heard around me as I left.

“They didn’t even look at me”
“I didn’t get to sing. So unfair”
“They didn’t take enough time to teach the combo”

Umm, I’m sorry?! Dear fellow auditioners, does any of this matter? Did you do your best work? Did you make choices that made you stand out from everyone else? Do you really have such a high opinion of your talent that you think you know better than the production team of what they want? If you can’t handle the pressure and accept rejection, then leave this industry! There are plenty of other people who are equally or less talented than you who don’t share your same complaints.

Okay, I’ll admit. I used to play this game. I took every audition rejection seriously, and vowed I would find directors who better valued my talent. Even now I get peeved when I feel like my scene partner ruined my read, or like yesterday, the girl next to me does all sorts of tricks in the free-dance section of our dance audition, drawing attention away from anyone but herself. But, here is my alternative choice to playing the “feel sorry” game, and my challenge to you:

Pin-point what you did right in your audition/callback. What things have you improved on since last time? What things need work? What are the steps you need to take to be a peak performer in your auditions? Are you surrounding yourself with positive people who encourage and stretch you to be who you need to be?

I wish there was an easier way to do this. I wish I was better at not holding onto disappointment. One day I won’t be living audition-to-audition and worrying about where my next show will be coming from. But that day is not today. So, I put on peppy music (my go-to is Legally Blonde The Musical!) and continue to schedule more auditions via actorsequity.com. OMG you guys!