BWW Blog: Tara Folio - The Faces Behind the Table

Theatre can be such a competitive industry, and at times it feels like you are under constant scrutiny. It seems as if time after time an actor doesn't get the role because he or she is too big, too little, too tall, too young, too old, wrong hair color, and the list goes on. Landing a role is never solely based on the talent that you bring to the table, it's based on a certain production's vision. At times it can feel like it's you against the world when you enter a casting office, but that idea couldn't be further from the truth. No one in that audition room wants you to fail, they want you to be their person. Why would a creative team sit in a tiny room hearing people belt for hours on end if they knew that they weren't planning on casting anyone at the call? The people on the other side of that table are hoping that someone at the call will be the piece they need to complete their theatrical puzzle, and why couldn't it be you? So the next time you walk into an audition, don't enter the room with the feeling that you're walking to your execution, enter it as if you're about to perform for a group of friends. Relax, and remember that casting directors are people too! Theatre can be a wonderfully supportive community if you're willing to reach out with an open heart.