It’s no secret that if you’ve picked a career in the performing arts you are bound to face rejection time and time again. It’s also no secret that maintaining a healthy level of confidence can be difficult when it feels like you are failing. It’s a sea of “no’s” mixed with the occasional, joyful “yes.”
Unfortunately, it’s the nature of the business. However, rejection is also essential to be able to truly relish and enjoy the moments of success when they do come. I’m not saying rejection is easy, but there are certainly ways to learn from a “no” to build your confidence for your next audition.
- First and foremost, if you even WENT to an audition today, yesterday, this month – that is huge! It’s easy to forget that the sheer act of auditioning is nerve-wracking and time consuming. You put yourself out there, you most likely were in front of someone you’ve never auditioned for before and for at least 5 minutes you got to do what you love and performed for someone! You may not realize it, but that person who auditioned you today – even if you aren’t right for this project, school, performance, etc. – now knows you and may cast you later on for a different role. It happens all the time.
- Be kind. If you see a show you truly loved, why not let the performers know you really liked it? Find them on Facebook and shoot them a message and let them know how inspiring it was. You’ll be making that person’s day no doubt and will be establishing a new connection simultaneously. Help build someone else’s morale and you’ll be indirectly boosting your own happiness/confidence. Being kind is contagious. It will come back to you.
- Surround yourself with people who are positive and outgoing. Try to distance yourself from those whose confidence is overshadowed by their arrogance or whose mentality is negative and draining.
- Do more of the things you love to do. Since you LOVE to perform – create opportunities for yourself! You don’t have to be in a show or performing in a concert to get your creative juices flowing! Have occasional get-togethers at your apartment where people can showcase their latest audition songs to get some feedback from trusted friends/colleagues. Start a play-a-month club and meet in a coffee shop with fellow actors to discuss the play. Honing your skills and being able to find an outlet to perform directly influences your confidence.
It’s completely normal to feel down or insecure if you are an artist. Take the moments of uncertainty and learn from them to better fuel you for your next big audition or performance. You are brave for following your passion and you must remind yourself of that.
Confidence comes with experience, so keep living life to the fullest, keep taking chances and keep rewarding yourself for a job well done. Even if the reward is in the form of a delicious chocolate chip cookie after an audition. You deserve it.
