As actors, we often feel out of control regarding our own careers. Whether for an industry audition or a college audition, strangers behind the table in an audition room decide in a 2 minute span if we are called back or not. It is daunting when you repeatedly put in the work but you keep falling short of your ultimate goal of booking a job or getting that dream college acceptance. Noticing this pattern may mean it is time to reassess your intentions in this business.
It's important to remember this career is a marathon, not a sprint. Ultimately, actors want to be in it for the long haul. That means breaking up dreams into smaller, achievable goals you can reach without any outside interference. Instead of measuring the success of your career in achievements, start measuring your success as an actor based on attributes you actively strive to embody every day. I call these tangible goals. Goals that are within the reach of every single person in the industry, but not everyone will take the time to attain them. Mastering the concept of having tangible goals rather than idealistic ones is simple once you get the hang of it: if you are not in control of all of the variables at stake, reassess how to take charge.
For those of you who aim to make your Broadway debut by age twenty five, it's time to let that go. This goal is thrilling, but all of the hard work you put in will not change the fact that the perfect job opening may not align with your skillset and availability by a specific deadline. For those of you who walk into an audition room saying, "I hope they like me," it is time to reconsider that mentality. You cannot control what an audition panel thinks of you or your performance. Ultimately, the people behind the table are going to form their own opinions of what you have to offer. Do not worry yourself with their perception of you for one second.
Rather than focusing on achievements, try to concentrate on exemplifying these attributes instead:
Always Being Prepared- Strive to be over prepared in every artistic endeavor you set off on. You are in complete control of how much time and effort you put into being prepared for a big audition. Be smart about it. Broaden your horizons and utilize your resources to soak up every bit of information you can. Take dance lessons, voice lessons, and acting lessons. Work with an audition coach, like me, to go through every detail of your audition package. Together, with your coach, you can take the time to learn material you will be presenting. Know it backwards and forwards. Set aside the time in your schedule to prepare for anything that can come your way in an audition room. Not only will you be more confident, you will have more freedom to be in the moment instead of worrying about the lyric you can't remember.
Always Being Accurate- Aim to accurately perform the piece that you are auditioning with. This means practice. Make sure that you are musically accurate. If you are not musically inclined, work with someone who is to assure you are not making any mistakes. Do not miss entire phrases in a classic Shakespeare monologue or skip lines in a dramatic scene. The material is written specifically by the playwright or composer to convey a certain message or story point. Accuracy in the material you are presenting will only serve you as an actor. Being true to the page is also a way of showing respect to the creative team behind the material you are performing. Do them justice.
Always Being Kind- Ultimately, you want to be the type of person that is so amazing to be around nobody can resist you. This comes from within. Make an effort to be nice to those around you. Treat everyone you meet with respect and kindness. You will be amazed at the opportunities that will unfold simply from the industry's response to your kind approach.
Focus on these three attributes and the successes will start to reveal themselves when the time is right. In the meantime, you will be a respected artist in your field who has developed productive habits and can proudly walk into any professional situation.
Break a leg!
-Allyson Duarte, Founder of ABCoaching.
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