for all the actors who hear NO a lot.....how do you find the will to go on?

Question

I'm still in High School, upperclassmen, and I didn't get the part I wanted in my FAVOURITE musical!!! I didn't even get chorus.....I got a male role that has 3 lines and no songs.....I'm having troulbe dealing with NO...I feel low and talentless.....everyone says I was amazing and that I should have gotten it....
I loooove acting and singing....I hope to become a famous actress on broadway in a few years....but if I can't get into a High School show....how do I get experience?.....I'm really bummed.....I mean....Do I take the role and pout the whole time or what? How do you bounce back after a great fall?......How do you know if you're actually good enough.....how do you know to keep tryinng or just give up?....I've never put thought into being anything other than a theatre person....IM A SHOW GIRL.....but I'm starting to wonder If I really am good enough....


HELP ME?!

Answer 1

Who hears NO? You're talking to the VAST majority of actors out there. Most actors hear no or their phone just doesn't ring even after they think they absolutely NAILED that audition. So many times it comes down to height, eye color, or something that has nothing to do with talent.

You may not see this as a bright side, but getting a part with lines is generally better than chorus... even if it's a male role. If it has a name, you can put it on your resume and it doesn't say 'chorus' or 'ensemble' and you should still get to sing with everyone else in the big numbers even if it's from off stage. Perhaps you were the only one they could count on to deliver those 3 lines the way they needed to be said! In anycase, you take the part you were given and you do your best with it. No more pouting, be glad you will have your 15 seconds of fame and do it well. Then of course you look toward the next show. A side note: You cannot count on your friends who tell you what a great job you did at an audition because they will always tell you what a great job you did. That's what friends do. You'd be mad if they said you were horrible! If they want to stay friends with you (and they usually do) then they will be kind.

Like anywhere else, high school theatres are political. You may never get cast because the teacher/director already has his or her favorites in mind so look at community and regional theatres in your area. See what shows they have lined up in their season and find out when they usually hold auditions. Ask if they take appointments or if they hold open auditions. Many theatres have this info on their websites, some post it in trade papers like Backstage (www.backstage.com)

Something else you should be doing... you should be in classes. Acting, dancing & private voice lessons. If you're broadway bound you need all of that and then some. Dance should include ballet, jazz and tap, all taken separately. You should invest in a tape recorder and record your voice lessons every week so that you can practice on your own.

No matter what, you never pout. It makes you look like a bad sport, or someone with Diva potential. Make it look like you got the best part in the show! By the time you're done with it, the leads will WISH they had your part! As long as you do not try to upstage anyone, that's not what I mean here. You should walk around like you got the best role and always do your best with it. Be a happy camper and someone they will want to work with again. If you're glomy and pouty do you think they will cast you again? Would you cast a gloomy pouty person?

now go break a leg :-)

Answer 2

I'm going to give you a quote that I was told when I didn't get the role I wanted, "Act well your part, there all the honor lies."

Just because you "think" the role is small its not. Every role in a show is important. Personally, I'd rather be in the chorus with a few lines rather than the lead. Why? With a lead, it has to be played a certain way whereas chorus, you can make it bigger than life.

Also, the next auditions, you might just land the lead. Never give up and keep chugging along!

Answer 3

Hello there,

do you realize how many famous actors have been turned down time and time again at the beginning of their careers before getting a break? Ever read anything about Dustin Hoffman's story for example? Go check it out.

It's perfectly normal what you are going through, BUT you have to improve your knowledge of yourself! You have to know yourself and develop the capability to be objective about evaluating your strengths and weaknesses.

The next thing I will say is NEVER stop developing your acting skill. Classes and studying are important. Later you will be able to evaluate whether or not the place where you are studying and your teacher and the method you are studying are the right ones to bring out the best in you.

Here are a couple resources you might find helpful and they all come from my website for new actors:

http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/acting_audition.html

There is also a free ebook you can download at my site called How To Start An Acting Career. One of the sections you might find particularly interesting is the one about the differerent acting techniques.

At any rate you will need thick skin and huge doses of determination and perseverance throught your LONG AND SUCCESSFUL career!

I hope this helps! Hang in there!

Tony
ceo
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com

Answer 4

im in choir but i always get told no i think we should have someone else do this song or no i think that we should just keep it to a duet...im a sesitive person i often cry when i hear no but if they see me put down by a single word they will think i am not able to be in show biz or deal with a solo or be the main part so i just always when ever a get a solo or a part in the play i do the best i can i treat it llike it is the most important part in the world and hope next time they will see how good i am and decide to test it out

Answer 5

Honey, you take that role and be proud to have it. Always do your best, even if you aren't happy with the part that you get. Remember that every experience can be one that you learn from. Keep auditioning and don't give up on yourself. You want to know how to bounce back from a great fall? Stand up and try again. You will be great.

Answer 6

It is tough not to get cast, but actors do not see themselves the way director see them. You have to get used to no, it is the most common answer you will get when applying for an acting job. You do understand something important, that you will need a lot more experience to ever be a pro. I mentor aspiring actors for free. Click on my name read my profile and contact me at my aol address if you want my help. WARNING we will start with a reality check.

Answer 7

You call THAT a great fall? Do the play...or don't. It's nothing to not get a part. You audition and then move on. What happens, happens.

Answer 8

Priyanka Chopra.