Auditions are around the corner!

Are you ready?

Please read the blurb below. This is part of  a larger article that we posted a few months ago; you can read the whole thing here.

 If you are going to school for theatre—that is, if theatre is going to be on your transcript as a major or a minor, ESPECIALLY if you plan to transfer or go into the industry, then you need to stay involved…ALL OF THE TIME.  You are paying for (or hoping to pay for) a degree in theatre.  That fact alone should NEVER be the deciding factor on whether you get the lead roles.  But what it SHOULD dictate is your willingness to fight to develop your resume.  I (We)  can’t program enough shows to ensure that everyone gets a lead role.  I (We) can’t promise you are going to love each and every production we do (I [we] hope you do, but make no guarantees).  There are plenty of opportunities to get involved…if you have enough drive to find them.  Too often, however, theatre students lose opportunities to build their resumes for the silliest of reasons…they, to paraphrase Hamilton, throw away their shot.

If a show comes along and you don’t audition, you’ve thrown away your shot.  If a semester happens and you don’t help on build days or work in the shop (if you are able—and in my [our] program ALL are welcome and encouraged), you have thrown away your shot.  If you get so upset at not getting the role you want, or about your boyfriend not getting cast, that you decline a role, you have thrown away your shot.  If you “don’t do musicals,” or “hate that play,” or “just don’t want to audition,” that’s perfectly fine—but you have thrown away your shot.  If you don’t work crew, hang and focus lights, sew costumes, help strike the set, play an ensemble role, or be in the chorus, then you have lost an opportunity to make theatre—and every opportunity lost is an experience missed…and it’s your own fault.  In most programs there is ALWAYS something you can do to get involved.

I’m (we're) going to be completely honest, if you don’t have the gung-ho drive to fight your way into every single opportunity that you can…you DO NOT have the drive to make a living in the theatre.  This industry takes constant work and steadfast tenacity.  There is little room for those who don’t know how to apply themselves…because there are dozens of others always waiting in the wings—to take your shot.

In other words, you should regard any chance to perform as an opportunity to learn. Bottom line: not everyone will get a lead role. Some people may get a lead role for the second or third time. Not everyone will get cast in the production of his/her choice. This is part of the process.

News flash: theatre isn't fair.

Instead of being upset that you didn't get what you were hoping for, you should reframe your thoughts to recognize that you have an opportunity to perform, to be on a beautiful set, wearing  a beautiful costume, under beautiful lights, breathing life into a role. Not many people get that opportunity. Be grateful. Don't be a diva, and don't throw away your shot. 😤