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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

How to Handle Rejection


By: Tabitha Garnica
“What I Did for Love” ~ A Chorus Line
Everyone who has spent enough time in theatre has had their fair share of rejection.  It has played an interesting role in my life.  I am not a person with thick skin, so dealing with rejection is something I have struggled with.  Yet, I am happy to say that I am getting better.  I have had experiences in which I have been completely rejected from a show or performance group, as well as experiences in which I did not get the role I was passionate about. 

The hardest thing about rejection is that it can distort an idealistic view of theatre.  Since I had been in love with musicals as a child, I had been accumulating dream roles and scenarios for years. It can be rough to see a role that you believe is perfect for you slip through your fingers.  You may even doubt your love of theatre for a while because it gives you sickening feeling after rejection. 

The best advice I have ever heard about rejection is not to take it personally.  That can be difficult since theatre is such a vulnerable and personal experience.  You have what you have.  We all come with a package of looks, talents, and abilities.  As long as you try your hardest to showcase these abilities, what is there to regret?  If someone gets chosen over you it’s because they had a different package that worked best for that director, and that time and place. There is no use being depressed because you are a brunette and the director envisioned a blonde, or you are too short or tall.  One day you will be that person with the exact package a director is looking for.   Theatre is all about paying your dues and doing it for the art.

The best way to get over a difficult rejection is to surround yourself with people who love you and support you no matter what.  It can be slightly embarrassing telling family and friends about a rejection.  The best friends are the ones who will support you even when you are the most fragile. 

It also helps to have a life outside the theatre.  Whether you act for fun or for a living, it is important to be a well-rounded person.  If you can focus your attention to other stimulating activities it will keep you from dwelling on disappointment. 

In show business, as in everything in life, it is important to be hopeful.  We are all meant to win and lose battles.  It seems like every single famous actor had at one point their fair share of rejection.  It is all part of the craft and it makes you stronger in the long run.  I always felt that to be in love with theatre is to know true love.   It can break your heart thousands of times, yet you keep coming back.     

I have heard so many stories about actors who had a rejection which led to success.  For example, before Lea Michele got cast in “Glee”, she was mourning a rejection from the Broadway revival of West Side Story.  Similarly, Lisa Kudrow was fired from “Frasier”, and if she had not been she would not have been cast in “Friends”.  We just need to stay strong and see every rejection as a possibility for a different opportunity.

Plus, the more you experience rejection, the more you will appreciate it when the stars do align.

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Copyright (c) Tabitha Garnica 2013 All Rights Reserved

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Friday, February 8, 2013

My First Audition


By: Tabitha Garnica

"Ding Dong the witch is dead. Which old witch? The wicked witch!"
“And I dug right down to the bottom of my soul to see what I had inside. Yes, I dug right down to the bottom of my soul, and I tried, I tried.” ~ A Chorus Line

We all have that “First Audition Story” that follows us throughout our lives.  It is the story in which we are first introduced to the horror- I mean the honor of auditioning.

I had my first audition at the age of 9.  The interesting part is that I was pushed into auditioning by my mother. Now, my dad is responsible for my love for theatre, and my mom thinks I am somewhat of a freak.  Therefore, that is why it is so intriguing that she was the one steering me towards this first audition experience. 

"There is a lady all in white, holds me and sings a lullaby"
She saw an ad on our church bulletin about an audition at a local summer community theatre group for The Wizard of Oz.  When she told me about it, I was very indifferent to the idea. I knew I loved musicals, but I had not actually considered the fact that I could actually take part in them.  My mom persisted and told me I had to audition. When we got home she got out the soundtrack to Les Misérables, which she had recently seen on Broadway, and told me to listen to “Castle on a Cloud” until I had it memorized.  “Come sing it to me when you have it down perfectly” she said.  I vividly remember being in my living room for hours just playing that song over and over again.  It was the first time I took myself seriously as a singer.  Finally, I was able to sing it in front of my mother. 

This is the exact songbook. I still have it today.
The audition called for a photo and a resumé.  My dad made copies of my recent school picture, and devised a resumé.  Looking back, I have no idea what he wrote on it because I had absolutely no experience.  Somehow, it looked full.  It also called for sheet music, of which I had none of, so my mother went to a theatre store in the city and bought me a music book called “Broadway Songs for Kids”, which of course featured “Castle on a Cloud.”

My father took me to the audition, and I was introduced to the world of performing.  I remember being shocked that so many other kids my age were there. I mean, I was the theatre weirdo at school.  This was the first time that I actually realized that so many other children out there shared my passion.  I remember how I could pick out the girls who were auditioning for Dorothy.  They were a few years older than me, and they wore blue outfits, and pigtails. 

I remember shaking of nerves because I had no idea what was going on and everyone seemed so intimidating.  I was also coming to grips with the fact that I was actually going to have to sing in front of people.

 A group of us were called in for a dance audition.   We learned a routine to “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead.” The choreography basically consisted of skipping and hand motions.  I remember having a grand old time and wishing that was all to the audition. 

But alas, there was more.  We all were taken to a separate room into which one by one we were to be called to sing our song.  I went to the back of the line on purpose because I needed time to calm my breathing.  When it was my turn I shyly went in and was faced with a table filled with people and a video camera.  I gave the pianist my music and it was time.  I opened my mouth and this shaky little voice came out.  To make matters worse I messed up the lyrics!

When it was all over I remember I was almost in tears and in my head I was saying, “I am never doing that again!” 

I got rejected, but not because I performed poorly.  The funny thing is that I probably never should have auditioned for that show.  That summer I was going to be away on vacation for three full weeks, and they rejected me because I would have to miss too many rehearsals.  I remember the man on the phone telling me, “It’s alright. You’re young.  You’ll get another chance.”  I was immediately introduced to the phenomenon of rejection.  The good thing is I did get another chance.  But, that is for another post. ;)
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Copyright (c) Tabitha Garnica 2013 All Rights Reserved

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