The Green Room - Dealing with Rejection

Feb 26^th, 2010 at 4:23pm

tubathespian Offline
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Does that seem right to
you?
Salt Lake City

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The theatre industry is rife with rejection. Some of it is personal (acting, singing, and dancing, especially simultaneously, are very difficult to do well, after all) and some of it is extremely impersonal (as discussed at length in this thread: http://www.backstageutah.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1262891004). By nature, there are a lot more audience members than performers, so as actors, we get rejected a lot.

How do you deal with rejection? What kind of things help you to get through the hurt feelings and push through to the next audition?

It's... not a perfect metaphor.

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Reply #1 - Feb 26^th, 2010 at 4:41pm

shortredhead Offline
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If all the world's a stage,
I want better lighting
Salt Lake City, Utah

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I've always said "if it's meant to be, than it's meant to be, if not, something else will come along."

It's like in a Hitchcock movie, you know, where they tie you up in a rubber bag and throw you in the trunk of a car. You find people.

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Reply #2 - Feb 26^th, 2010 at 5:09pm

mr. spiker Offline
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a nest of sandworms
Eagle Mountain, UT

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shortredhead wrote on Feb 26^th, 2010 at 4:41pm:

I've always said "if it's meant to be, than it's meant to be, if not, something else will come along."

This.

http://www.fiftytwoplays.com

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Reply #3 - Feb 26^th, 2010 at 7:55pm

Mister Grinch Offline
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Basically... run.
The Lost Moon of Poosh

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Being rejected for a part just spurs me on to build my own theatre and theatre company so that I can direct whatever show I like and precast myself as all the leads, frankly.

There is one thing you never put in a trap, if you're smart - if you value your continued existence - if you have any plans about seeing tomorrow there is one thing you never EVER put in a trap.� Me.

Listen, I don't know what sort of kids you've been flying around with in outer space, but you're not telling me to shut up!

As long as I don't bleed or cry, I'll do it!

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Reply #4 - Feb 26^th, 2010 at 9:53pm

The Kaylee and the Ivy Offline
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Mister Grinch wrote on Feb 26^th, 2010 at 7:55pm:

Being rejected for a part just spurs me on to build my own theatre and theatre company so that I can direct whatever show I like and precast myself as all the leads, frankly.

My love for you, let me show you it.

If we're going to die, let's die looking like a Peruvian folk band.

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Reply #5 - Mar 1^st, 2010 at 12:51am

Captain Malcolm Reynolds Offline
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Faster Would Be Better
Serenity

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Mister Grinch wrote on Feb 26^th, 2010 at 7:55pm:

Being rejected for a part just spurs me on to build my own theatre and theatre company so that I can direct whatever show I like and precast myself as all the leads, frankly.

I once knew a guy who tried that. Eventually you have to let other people play too.

Back to the original question. Rejection hurts, but it can also leave you free to find something even better you may have missed out on had you not been rejected. Also, you must try to learn from each audition and improve your presentation each and every time. It is much better for you than wallowing in the pain of the rejection or carrying the nagativity with you to your next audition.

If someone tries to kill you, you kill them right back!

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Reply #6 - Mar 1^st, 2010 at 11:42pm

kitchensinger Offline
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in my kitchen

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I always like to have a line-up of future projects waiting in the wings so that I have something else to move on to when I get the rejection. Keeps the cussing, tears and chocolate inhalation to a minimum.

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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Reply #7 - Mar 4^th, 2010 at 12:03pm

FRANta Claus Offline
Prima
Closer to fine.
SO over it.

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shortredhead wrote on Feb 26^th, 2010 at 4:41pm:

I've always said "if it's meant to be, than it's meant to be, if not, something else will come along."

This gets REALLY HARD TO DO after a YEAR of callback after callback and NOT EVER GETTING CAST. /rant

Anyway, usually when I see the show that rejected me, I can tell that I wouldn't have been a good fit in that cast. Sometimes literally, as I often feel like an Amazon at auditions. Seriously, let's get some taller guys out there. Also, I am not a dancer. I mean, I can get it after lots of practice, but I am not a dancer-who-can-pick-it-up-after-one-runthrough. And that's fine.

You have no power over me!

Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding, therefore ye have not been wise.

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Reply #8 - Mar 4^th, 2010 at 12:18pm

Dexter the Halls Offline
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Not all monsters are in
the closet.
St George, UT

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What does this "rejection" you speak of feel like? Smiley

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Reply #9 - Mar 5^th, 2010 at 4:57pm

Mrs Jughead Offline
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One thing at a time!
Cottonwood Heights

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One thing much worse than dealing with rejection yourself is when your child has to deal with it! So horrible! My boy tried out for the part of Ugly in his middle school production of Honk. He is fantastic. (And I'm not just saying this because I am biased--even though I am decidedly biased.) He read through the script, worked on his lines, nailed his audition, nailed his call back, approached the character and practiced a hundred different ways to enter a room, asking which way fits Ugly best. I mean, this kid poured his heart into getting this role. He was cast as the turkey. I've never seen him so upset. I'd much rather be rejected myself. I whine for a while and move on. This hurts! Cry

Significant is the day!

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