How To Deal After An Audition

Getting an opportunity is always exciting and as actors we must not follow that excitement with self hate and doubt. We all handle situations differently but I think we can all agree that negative thoughts and assumptions can linger and really drive us nuts. Many of us have habits of questioning ourselves and even putting ourselves down because of assumptions on how we thought things went. Other times we get our hopes up because we think we killed an audition and never hear anything back. All these thoughts are normal, but here are a few things that might help alleviate these bad habits. Tips on what to do after and audition/self tape.

1. Be happy you got it done

Prepping an audition and then going into a room or shooting it is hard work. You have to memorize lines, prep the audition, figure out what to wear and then actually do it. If it's an in person audition you have to go into a room full of strangers and put your talents on display in hopes that they like you. The whole process can be stressful and scary but its part of our job and needs to be done. Don't let it be lost on you that its hard to put yourself out there to be judged. We do it day in and day out never having anything promised. We devote our lives to a passion without ever knowing if it will work. Give yourselves a break and be happy you got it done :)

2. Reward Yourself

Do something good for yourself. If there is a certain dessert you like go out and get that ice cream. Get that chocolate chip cookie (or two) you have been craving. If you can afford it get a massage and just unwind. Some auditions can be multiple scenes and days long to prepare. Many people even get coached for bigger auditions just to make sure they have a solid audition ready. A nice massage will help you relax and you deserve it.

3. Don't Tell Everyone

This one I think many of us do. We will post about our audition on social media, tell our friends, and be super excited about this huge opportunity to be a guest star or reccuring. It's totally natural to want to tell everyone, after all it is very exciting and could be a huge step in your career. The problem with telling people is that it could possibly make the let down even more agonizing. Getting passed over is always tough and having others ask you if you got a part may not help. One more slightly superstitious reason, the more people you tell the less the chances of getting it. This is purely superstitious but for some reason many actors beleive in it. It has said to have worked more often that not so...who knows. If you are a superstitious person this might be something you can practice.

4. Let It Go

You can't go back and redo the audition. The audition is done, its over. Obsessing over what choices you should have made or not made will do nothing for you at this point. Remember hindsight is 2020 and at that time you thought those were the best choices. Everyone thinks they could have done better and you probably could have. BUT ITS OVERRRRR. After you leave the room or hit send on that self tape you are no longer in control. We don't know what casting is thinking nor should we assume. You always hear stories about people thinking they werent right for a role but booking them. You did your job. You prepped, went in there and gave it your best and now its no longer in your hands. Move on and think about doing better on your next opportunity. Read a play after :)

I don’t think actors should ever expect to get a role, because the disappointment is too great. You’ve got to think of things as an opportunity. An audition’s an opportunity to have an audience. - Al Pacino

Written by: Mershad Torabi