1 Way Introverted Actors Can Use Their Natural Personality in the Audition Room

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Photo Source: Scott Kirkland/FOX/PictureGroup

The following Career Dispatch essay was written by actor Victoria Cartagena, who can next be seen on Fox’s “Almost Family.”

Don’t forget: You were invited to this party.

I’m an introvert. And I’m an actress. I couldn’t always define or figure out what this meant for me as an actor, but the two things that I’ve discovered along the way are: I am enough, and that I’ve been invited to this party, even when it doesn’t feel that way.

Growing up, I was a shy kid, but being blessed with a doting grandmother and younger cousins who encouraged me, laughed at every joke, and hung on my every performance, I took their permission to be seen. I didn’t feel like I was crashing a party. With them, I felt invited, welcomed, and I allowed myself to shine the uniqueness of my gifts and talents.

READ: Self-Promotion for Introverted Actors

But what I started to realize was that, being a shy person, I wasn’t aligned with the Hollywood I envisioned. I longed and I dreamed of being a part of this magical world, but the thought of walking a red carpet and the attention that came with it led me to an internal struggle.

In my head, I would say “no” to auditions as soon as my agent and manager would send me sides that I didn’t feel I was right for. My fearful and critical self would think of all the reasons why I couldn’t play a character. I would also allow fear to convince me that I wasn’t talented enough, not special enough, and that I didn’t have what it took to be a part of Hollywood. I ended up casting myself out before I even had a chance to begin. I’d still physically show up to the audition, but with a shroud of self-consciousness.

Early on, I was told by the people who knew best that I really just needed to be myself and that was the key to pushing and moving my career to the next level. But I didn’t understand that—how could I be myself if who I felt I was wasn’t enough?

Recently, after some huge changes, growth, and personal development, I’ve realized that I could, indeed, be myself. There really was no other choice! I had been resisting this for most of my career. When I started to understand my own singularity, my gifts, my flaws, and yes, even my shyness, I learned that it was through being myself and emphasizing those characteristics and choices in my auditions that I would gain the career opportunities that I have today.

That is where it all begins and ends: with you, your self-awareness, and the truth of who you are. So I’d tell my younger self to show up in her unique glory and to bring her gifts of delightfulness, playfulness, and joy. I’d tell her to use these gifts instead of hiding them away, to give herself permission to share her light, to share what she’s learned and experienced, and to use it to breathe life into the characters she plays.

I’d remind her that she’s guest at this party, too!

What advice would you tell YOUR younger self? Get more Career Dispatches right here!