Student Blog: Rejection and How I Deal With Rejection

One of the worst few words as a theatre kid are, "Hello, We appreciate you coming out to audition. Unfortunately, we didn't find a spot for you in our cast." It's so hard to read that email especially when you really wanted a part. And sometimes no matter what people say its still just hard to know you didn't make it. How do I keep going though? Here are some things I do and keep in mind when getting either rejected or not getting a part you wanted in a musical or play you audition for. 

The first thing I try to remember is that the directors decided you weren’t the right for a role or a cast for a reason. The reason could be there was just someone better fit for that role. Or maybe there was something the directors were unsure about with your performance at auditions. Whatever it is you never know unless you ask. And it never hurts to reply to a director's email asking what you should work on for next time. If you get a message back on why you weren’t cast you should consider how you can approve upon that and then get back at it again with another audition.

Another thing I like to keep in mind is that just because one thing didn't work out doesn't mean it's the end of your acting career. As students, we are still very young and we still have a whole life to live. And if you're passionate enough, you have so many more auditions. Unfortunately as students, that also sometimes puts negative thoughts in our heads. Maybe one audition didn't go to plan; that doesn't mean you're a bad actor, singer, dancer, or performer in general. It just means you have the opportunity to be able to work harder to improve and show directors you have exactly what it takes to make it in a different show.

You also don't want to take rejection and turn it into anger towards your friends, peers, or people who got cast. While you weren't cast for a reason, they were cast for a reason. And maybe you don't agree with the directors about a casting decision, at the end of the day it's their show and not yours. And they get the final say. People who do get cast in a show should feel excited and proud that they made it into something they worked so hard towards for so long. Even if you think you put in more effort other people could disagree. It's so valid to feel sad and upset you didn't get it and it's okay to say that. It's never okay to talk badly about someone who got a role you wanted. So before you send that hateful or discouraging text to a friend talking about how someone didn't deserve a part. Put yourself in their shoes. If you just got that role and then heard someone was talking about how you didn't deserve it, how would you feel?  I don't suggest engaging in any negative talk about anyone in a cast even if you're on the receiving end.

Rejection is hard and I hope if you're in a slump from rejection this helped. Maybe you're not in a slump right now and maybe rejection isn't necessarily a concern at the moment. Every actor will have a moment of rejection so save this blog for when you need it. And remember there's always another audition.