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written by Lauren, March 25, 2008

Aw, I'm so sorry. I know how you feel, believe me! This is my first official year as a theater major at a real unviersity (I'd been at community college for the last two years) and I haven't been cast in anything I've auditioned for - not even student-directed shows. And it's been a real blow to my confidence, and I've been questioning too whether I should continue to pursue it. Unfortunately, that part of performing isn't going to go away - you're always going to have periods where you question yourself and your ability. But if you truly want to pursue it you have to be able to pick yourself up and keep confidence in yourself, which is sometimes the hardest thing to do. All I can tell you is that if you truly, truly want to do this and you can't imagine doing anything else for the rest of your life, then just keep going and keep trying until something works out. Maybe your perfect school is one you just haven't considered yet. If all your theater school options don't work out, you can look elsewhere, or you can always enroll in one of them and reaudition. It's not ideal, but sometimes you have to work your way up, and it's hard, I know. This is just a rough spot right now - there will be other times when you get callback after callback and feel like you're on top of the world! Sometimes (usually) in auditions, directors and casting panels will have in mind what they want, and no matter how talented you are, you simply might not fit what they had in mind. That doesn't mean you aren't talented, it just means that they wanted something different. It's hard to not take it personally/as a blow to your talent, but a lot of times it unfortunately does have to do with a director's vision. Just try to keep your head up and keep confidence in yourself. I'm sure you're talented, just keep at it and try not to lose your confidence, and it will work out eventually, I promise. Good luck!

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written by Laura, March 25, 2008

Sorry, I know how you feel. It is hard to handle rejection, but rejection makes you stronger. Maybe you going to those schools just wasn't meant to be. Things will get better soon!!!

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written by Stephen Conley-Rayfield, March 25, 2008

I am sorry to hear about your audition responses... but you can't doubt yourself because certain schools didn't accept you. I got in to a great school here in England, which is something that I have always wanted to do, but my school of choice was CMU for musical theatre and I didn't get in there. I got wait-listed, but in the end I ended up traveling to England to study... and to be honest.. it is the best thing I have ever done. Things happen for a reason, so cheer up. One of the most important things in the career is to love what you do, and to have a passion that fuels you to continue on in this business. Talent alone isn't enough... I don't know you/ nor do I know how you perform, but I venture to say that you will be just fine. Best Wishes...

scr xx

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written by Rachel Diamond, March 26, 2008

Thanks for your encouragement, guys. I really appreciate it, and in the light of today, it looks better. I'm still not in that college, but I'm waiting on a few more, so who knows. Again, thanks.

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written by Chris Edwards, March 27, 2008

if you want it to be part of your life, it will be. you just have to work at it. I'm told that only about 1% of actors in NYC make their living off of acting alone. I don't say this to discourage just for context. you have to keep the faith even when it's not going your way. That's what makes this so unspeakably hard. you have to have unshakeable confidence and be able to bounce back from a LOT of rejection. I also read that people audition their best when they need it less, because you can be more truthful and relaxed if you're not worried about the outcome. I hate the lull between shows, it is a little like dying everyday. especially when you still have to go to your "real life" job and there's nothign to look forward to at the end of the day. give yourself things to do. make plans with friends (maybe other actors between shows) to go do stuff that you wouldn't have time to do if you were rehearsing. take an afternoon for a "spa day" get a manicure, give yourself facials, watch old movies... or look for an evening class to take to develop your skills, like an audition workshop or a dance class just for fun...