You hate me, you really hate me!

Even the best actors get rejected for roles. Auditioning is often like a trip to a casino, you roll the dice and see what happens. Actors, dancers, singers, public speakers all get turned down for work on a regular basis if they are out there auditioning for work.

Yes, you can stack the odds in your favor. You can have an audition piece that works for the role, you can have worked on it, you can come to the audition rehearsed and ready, and "full". (See my blog called "Fill 'er up!"). You can have the ideal song, and sing it like its sung on the Broadway album. You have your tap shoes out and are warmed up. And after all of that, you don't get cast.

One of the worst feelings in the world.

Even at the tender age of 51, I still get turned down for roles I would be perfect for. In my younger days, this rejection would result in many emotions; anger, (how can they be so stupid?), denial, (clearly the posted cast list is a mistake because I am not on it), dejection, (I am the worst actor in all of the world!). I would have all those feelings, be unapproachable by family and friends, and just brood. Oh and eat Snickers bars. Many of them.

 Happily this never lasted long, as my secret mutant healing power is to get over stuff and move on. But all the initial feelings were terrible, and over time I began to rethink the rejection we get at some auditions. Becoming a director helped with this, I saw WHY people get turned down, and why often it has nothing to do with your talent, and rarely has anything to do with you as a person. I have learned that there are many factors that go into casting a role, and that knowledge has helped me deal with not getting parts. Let's look at some of the factors that may result in your rejection.

1) LOOK- You can be a gorgeous, talented, 6 foot redhead who sings like an angel and dances like a dream. But if the director really wants someone who is 5 foot and blonde, you are out of luck. Also if the director decides to cast a tall girl in a role, he may decide not to cast a shorter man as her partner. Or there is a joke in the show that only works with a very slight or very heavy performer. Or you are too young or too old based on the other people being cast, or the description in the play itself.

2)  CONTACTS/HISTORY- If you are new to a group, or a director doesn't know your work, they may pass over you for someone they have used before. Casting is risky for the director, and they may decide to go with a known quantity. Also some community theaters have casting decisions done by a committee, and members of that committee may often have an agenda of their own when casting, (relatives, relationships).

3) THE UNEXPECTED- You do a great audition and then get the surprise. "Can you waltz?". "Can you do a French accent?". "Do you do a decent imitation of Barack Obama?". Yes, sometimes at an audition they toss a curve ball, something totally unexpected. Never claim a skill you don't have, just be positive that you could learn it if given a chance. And try not to let the unexpected throw you off.

4) BAD DAYS- Everyone has an off day. That includes casting directors, who may be grumpy or even rude. (I am tough to audition for, I will look and listen to you, but rarely react). So the director may just pass on you because the day was bad. Yes, thats unfair, but that's human. You also may have a bad day, and even though you think your audition was great, it was off.

So I am at a place in my life that I encourage you to be about auditions. I try not to take them personally. I realize there are many reasons I did not get cast, and that many of them could have nothing to do with me.  BUT I STILL AUDITION!!!! The chances of getting cast in a role that 500 people audition for is very small, but that chance increases greatly by auditioning! A favorite saying of mine is that life is all about showing up. Not auditioning guarantees I won't get the part. So audition, a lot. It will help you practice your craft, keep you fresh, and eventually, you will be cast.

 And that is the best feeling an actor gets.

J.T. Turner
The Actor's Sensei

Looking for some coaching for an audition or role? Drop me a line at jtactor@aol.com