Acting as a business is full of ups and downs. But business aside, what do you do when you come to an artistic hurdle that you can’t seem to maneuver? We are here to help you navigate your way through some very common challenges actors face in the audition room. Because while some roles may be a breeze, others will take a lot more work to break into. But hey, the growth is in the challenges!

What if I feel like I have nothing in common with the character??–

You are a full human with a rich history and a deep heart and soul. No matter what the circumstances are of the character, you have to look beyond that to find the common ground you share. Yes, you may not (thankfully) know what it’s like to be hiding from the Nazis. But maybe you do know what it’s like to be desperate to fit in, or how to wildly protect something close to you, or to have such loyalty to someone/something you’d be willing to die for them. The details matter less than the emotions behind them. Ask yourself what the character’s deeper motivation is. On that deeper level is where we tend to find the universality that binds us all.

Still feel disconnected? Read a book, listen to music, or watch a film in a similar genre or set in a similar time period to the one you are hoping to connect to. What may seem foreign on the page can come to life for us on the big screen. You may feel nothing reading Romeo & Juliet, but totally entwined with Maria’s struggles in West Side Story. Its’ all about finding a way in to the character.

The gap between ourselves and the character at hand can feel even more like a giant chasm when it is a period peace. Whether you dread or love these types of roles, it is especially important to remember to find a commonality with them. Don’t get intimidated by the lords and ladies of the court, simply think about when in your life you have had that emotion as well, circumstances aside.

And remember, if you bring your open, honest self to the audition, you might very well become the character in the eyes of casting. And then you won’t have to worry anymore about getting the character’s look or sound or mannerisms exactly “right.” Because magically, it will be you and everything you bring to the table. Pretty nifty.

What if it’s my third callback??–

When it’s your third callback, instead of growing in confidence because casting is loving what you are doing, it’s common for actors to let the pressure get to them. In those moments of opportunities, we can self-sabotage with negative thoughts. We often push instead of trusting ourselves and our instincts with the script. Callbacks are an opportunity to take what we did in the original audition to the next level. It is not the time to start questioning all of your choices that worked the first time!

If you find yourself doing this, breathe and remember that you are simply digging deeper, and staying on the track you did all the work to carve out in your first audition. stay strong in your choices, play bold, risk big. And be prepared to do it multiple ways. This is the time to show the director you can also take direction and be flexible.

Plan something fun to do after your callback if you find yourself downward spiraling. When more is at stake, tensions run high. And the pressure will kill you if you don’t remind yourself to relax and have fun.

Expectations can be our worst enemy. I have a friend who was nominated for a big theatre award and instead of feeling a sense of freedom in that she no longer had to “prove herself,” her performances started to suffer because she felt paralyzed by the ridiculously high expectations she thought people now had of her. Sheesh.

Different challenges come at us at every level of our careers. It’s our job to navigate them with a brave sense of adventure, an open heart, and a free imagination. What types of roles do you find most challenging? When have you felt stuck in the audition room? Let us know and we’ll explore a way in together.

Break legs!
Megan Manzi