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
Photo Credits:
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Copyright (c) Tabitha Garnica 2013 All Rights Reserved
Photo Credits:
- Rejected Sign
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