A career rut. I’ve been there too. Maybe the progress you felt earlier this year has come to a screeching halt. Maybe the most work you’ve had this season was a stint as a (gulp) background player. Maybe you are dreading calling your mother and answering the inevitable, “What have you been up to?” question. Check out our post “Help To Save Yourself From A Career Rut! (Part Two) for some insight into what might be holding you back from taking your acting career to the next level! Time to ask yourself…

Are I currently in class?

Hard to move forward to the next phase of your career if you aren’t growing artistically. Working actors are constantly enrolled in class to refine their craft and further themselves as artists. Ideally you will find a studio and teacher who will help open your eyes to your habits and areas of personal weakness. This way you can better yourself in those areas that may be costing you roles.

Make sure to rehearse actual audition sides in your class too. This way you can get a better idea as to what energy and skill level you bring with you into the audition room. Feedback in this area is priceless and may tell you just what you need to know to start booking roles on a brand new playing field.

Do I truly understand my type?

“Type” is a word actors don’t always like hearing. Probably because they associate it with being “type cast.” But hey, did you notice that the second word there is CAST? Time to be honest with yourself. Are you accurately branding, self submitting, and marketing? If you are still fighting against your type with dreams of being the next Angelina Jolie even though you’re actually more of an Alyson Hannigan, you’re not doing yourself any favors.

Time to take a good hard look at what you have to work with. Once you understand it, and where you fit in, others will start to see your cast-ability as well. Remember, who you actually are and what “type” of roles best suit you may not be perfectly aligned. And that’s okay. Find the freedom in knowing that. Being more specific in the marketing of your acting career by no means requires putting limits on your true self in your daily life.

Do I have a life outside of acting?

AKA – Do you smell of desperation? Listen we’ve all been there, but there is no excuse to stay in that place. You know you need a full life outside of acting to bring your boldest, bravest, most dynamic self to the audition room. So travel, do other things you love, be with people who inspire you and then come back to the sides. the minute we get hyper focused on an audition, the minute we lose our personal, genuine spark we could have brought to the role.

Am I a perfectionist?

You know immediately if this is you. Do you turn down auditions because you don’t feel perfectly prepared enough? Would you rather miss an opportunity completely than just wing it? Do you not let yourself fail to learn something new? Never let perfect stand in the way of great. By playing it safe, you are most likely holding yourself back from any progress lying ahead of you. Change requires many messy moments of imperfection. It may be time to let yourself make mistakes in order to make true progress.

Break legs!
Megan Manzi