The audition process is a stressful time for actors from all varieties of experience; they spend countless hours memorizing songs, monologs`, and jazzy dance routines for an audition due in a week. But why are auditions so important to actors? Well, not only does an audition allow the actor to present their skills to get cast in a role, the process also provides a growing period and gives actors a chance to experience rejection and constructive criticism. Actors are also introduced to hundreds of other actors competing for the same role, which can be very intimidating. But despite the tough nature of the dreaded process, the amount of growth and knowledge you gain to improve your abilities, that’s worth it.
Believe me when I say auditions are my kryptonite, so you are not alone, my friend. There is so much pressure that comes with trying out for a role and presenting what you’ve prepared in front of not only your directors, but your peers too. Pressure is a huge factor that limits a performer from doing the best they can during an audition; they choke up, forget the words, miss a step, and feel like a failure. If you are ever worried about the director’s thoughts on your performance, just know that whatever they may offer you (good or bad), it is constructive towards you as a performer. Directors want to see actors challenge themselves, and an audition is a perfect way to do just that. Don’t let the pressure of judgment limit you, a great actor, to a stellar performance.
Stress is another symptom of the “audition process” – staying up late, memorizing, getting frustrated at literally everything and everyone because you MUST make this audition perfect. We get it, perfectionists. And don’t get me wrong, I rehearse/record my auditions over a hundred times until it’s where I want it to be, but over stressing isn’t worth it. Remember, it is an audition; the directors aren’t looking for a perfectly developed character. Character development is a stress to worry about after you get cast as [insert role here]. But does that mean you can’t try to put a little character behind your audition? Not at all. But trying to reach perfection in an audition is NOT worth the stress.
The whole process will give you the experience of success and rejection: Sometimes you get the part sometimes you don’t. Actors, especially professionals, prepare for both outcomes and will look at rejection as a chance for more opportunities, not a failure. As actors, you can only drive yourself to grow and improve, don’t waste time sulking because you didn’t land that role. Growing as an actor is extremely important and your progress WILL show each time you do an audition. Yes, auditions are scary (I’d argue and say then are terrifying), but you will be surprised by how much you change and challenge yourself as an artist with each audition you do.
Are they hard? Yes. Can they be terrifying? Oh, absolutely. Are they worth taking seriously? Definitely. You should never take an audition for granted, for each is a small building block in your career as an actor. They will make you cry, scream, and even ask yourself “why?”, but if you take a minute to look back at your very first audition, you’d be surprised at how much you changed as a performer.
Act on, fellow actors.
