Just Do the Thing

I was talking with a friend the other day, and she was telling me that she had submitted something she had written for publication but was a little disappointed that it had been respectfully declined. She is also a theatre person and we immediately agreed it was good she had submitted because you just never know. It occurred to me that maybe not everyone knows what a painful but good lesson this can be, and I think it can be especially difficult when learned through the audition process.

When an actor sees an audition notice and decides to go or submit, a lot has gone into that decision and application. What is the show and who is directing it? What roles are available and who else is going? When and where are rehearsals and performances? Then they prepare – material, routine, monologue, choreography, outfit, hair, make-up, pictures, recordings, resume, etc. They do their best, put themselves out there, and then they wait. The people behind the scenes then have the tedious job of sorting through ALL the information and coming up with a cast and crew that have, in their estimation, the best chance for success. Our actor is either a part of that vision this time or they are not, and they move on to the next audition.

Here’s the thing – I’ll say you never know, but I guess technically it’s that you rarely get to know, what those casting or hiring conversations were and how they came to their decision. And how quickly things can change. There may be a re-cast due to illness, injury, or irreconcilable difference and suddenly, you’re in. Maybe the casting director is also casting another show and invites you to audition for that show instead. Or maybe on their next project, the director remembers your audition and thinks you’d be perfect, can you come down and read for them? Thanks to your preparation, flexibility, and awareness, you are ready and able.

I get that these kinds of things happen in many careers. I think that it is a little different or maybe more hard-won in theatre because you put so much of yourself out there and into what you are doing as opposed to maybe the kind of job where you go home and don’t think about work again until the next day. Or maybe it’s a speed thing. We have to learn to pivot faster and get the next job lined up. And the next. And the next.

This blog is titled “Just Do the Thing” because there is so much value to be gained from, well, trying. With every endeavor, you gain experience, confidence, and knowledge. Then you analyze the effort, make adjustments, and then it’s time to try again. And you get better. Isn’t that a lot of what life is about? Learning and growing and improving? Book an Exploration Zoom and let’s talk about your life and where those opportunities might be for you. Isn’t it time for YOU to just do the thing?

“I’m not throwin’ away my shot” – Hamilton