When auditioning becomes your job

One thing that most artists, whether your a singer, actor, dancer, or all of them combined, don’t realize is that auditioning is, and will be for a long time, your job. I think we’ve all had at some point in our lives that naive idea that once with start auditioning someone is going to “discover” us and make us a star instantly. This is simply not true. There are thousands of people out there, who are just as talented as you, who will be running for the same jobs as you. So the truth is, this business is really hard, and it’ll probably take you some time before you actually get cast in one of the auditions you go to.

This being said, do not get discouraged. Ninety percent of the times you don’t get casted will not be because of lack of talent. Most of the times you go to an audition, the casting committee will already have an idea of what they’re looking for. This could be in terms of voice, body type, look, etc. If you don’t get the job, don’t feel bad, you probably just weren’t what they were looking for. Still, be glad because you passed through that experience.

Now, why is auditioning considered the job itself? When you are an artist, you are your own product. If you want your product to sell, or in this case for you to get casted, you have to put it and advertise in the best light. Correct? Well, you are the product, and every time you audition you are advertising yourself. This industry is based on connections. The people who judge you in one audition probably have connections with people from other productions who are also seeking talent. What does this mean? It means that you always have to put your best self out there. You never know who’s watching, so present yourself in the best light, always.

I once took a workshop with renowned Puerto Rican performer Luis Salgado. He told us a story about a girl who was auditioning for a musical (In The Heights if I am not mistaken), and while she was extremely talented, she simply was not the actress they were looking for the role; so, she did not get casted. But, someone at the audition table knew the people that were holding auditions for the national tour of West Side Story. She was recommended to them, she auditioned, and the next thing you knew she was playing Maria, a lead role, in the national tour of West Side Story.

I think it is pretty agreeable that auditioning is a job in itself. Never slack off in an audition. If you are not going to give it your all, then don’t audition at all. Remember, there are a lot of people looking for their shot just as you are. Put your best self out there and let the world see how talented you are.