If I had a nickel

Let’s talk about rejection. It’s a huge part of an actor’s life. So let’s talk about it.

I couldn’t count the number of times I didn’t book the job. Seriously, it happens almost daily. If I counted, it would make me sick. So instead, I focus on the opportunities I’ve had. I focus on how all of these auditions have only enriched my skills as a performer. This business is difficult. It can break you down. We all have our moments of feeling rejected, not good enough, crazy for choosing this profession, fill in the blank. What helps me is simply focusing on the work. I haven’t always been able to do that, but recently, I’d say in the last year or so, I’ve been actively working on just focusing on the work and leaving it there. Any opportunity, no matter how small, is still an opportunity to learn and to grow.

The Big Callback (part 1)

The “big callback” is the high stakes callback. The callback you’ve been waiting for. This is the callback that may change your life. This is the callback of your dreams. Try not to vomit under the pressure of it all, okay? Once you have made it past initial casting calls and callbacks and you are actually in the room with the director, and the producers and the creative team who will undoubtedly decide your fate, how do you keep your cool?

If at first you don’t succeed…

We’ve all heard the phrase, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” In this business no phrase could be more true.

When the feeling of wasted efforts hits you, as it inevitably will in this business, try to remember that from every audition you attend, you are learning. You are growing. You are gaining more information. Whether it be about yourself, or the audition process, or the casting process. You are constantly learning. And when you’re learning, you’re getting better. You’re getting sharper. You are preparing yourself for that “yes” that you will eventually hear.

Theatre is all about relationships

I want to talk about relationships. Theatre is about entertaining, but it’s also about relationships. The relationships we build in our lives that make us human - the love, the heartache, the friendships, the betrayal. These meaningful relationships are crucial in theatre. Without them, why would we care? Why are we invested in these characters?