Finding Success in Every Audition

A wonderful book, A Guide to the Good Life, The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B Irvine teaches us how to use the ancient philosophy of stoicism to live a good life. While reading it, it became obvious how applicable it was to the life of an actor. Today’s blog is an attempt to share some of the lessons of Stoicism on the topic of auditioning.

You will get rejected. It IS going to happen at some stage. Even the best will be passed over for this role or that during a long career. Failure is a necessary part of the audition process, you aren’t right for every role. But frequent rejection can be a demoralising business. Sooner or later, the repeated cycle of rejection begins to affect how we see ourselves. What are we? What is an actor who never gets cast in a role? We put a brave face on it, but underneath, we hurt like hell, calling ourselves actors, but feeling like a fraud, feeling that we’re no damn good.

So what can we do to counteract the pain of rejection?

First, we must examine our goals. What was our goal?

To get the part.  

Was that within our control?

Somewhat. The decision was not, but how we prepared for the audition was. 

The external goal is out of our hands. Concern with this leads us to frustration and heartache. Prepare for that audition with all that is within your control, and you could do no more. You can leave the audition with your head held high and regardless of the outcome, you know that you could have done no more.

But when the agent calls to let you know the outcome, you will still feel the bite of disappointment. So how can you find joy in the audition process, regardless of the outcome?

Change your goal. 

The goal “to get the part” is an external goal. Whether you succeed or fail belongs to someone else. The way to experience joy, and succeed in every audition or casting is to accompany an external goal with an internal one.

What could your internal goal be? To enjoy the audition more? To quieten your negative self talk during the audition? To experience freedom with the lines? To make bolder choices and nail them during the audition? Each of these choices is likely to improve your chances of doing well in the audition, but their success in now in your hands.

When you prepare for your next audition, concern yourself with an internal goal. Now from audition to audition, the goal is to make improvement in that area. It’s something that you can work at, that is NOT outwith your control. Now regardless of the outcome of the audition, you will succeed or progress. There is no way to fail in your auditions now.

If this post helped you, share it with a friend who you think could use it.