Q: How do I stay motivated when I haven’t been getting roles as frequently as I’d like?—@littigemma*
Great question! Before we start talking about motivation, let’s address why we don’t book roles in the first place. In a previous Backstage Experts article, I wrote about why we should never assume that we know why we were or weren’t cast. I believe assuming is just that: assuming. It’s not based on fact, and it’s often based on speculation. Unless you hear it firsthand, you never really know why you weren’t cast. Try not to beat yourself up over things that are just your assumptions. Just because you weren’t cast doesn’t mean you aren’t talented.
Next, let’s consider getting some actual feedback. Lulls in auditions happen to everyone—even the best of the best. But it’s not a bad idea to get feedback on things like your materials or your acting technique itself.
Let’s also talk about exposure. A common theme with actors is that when we’re not booking, we think there’s something wrong with us. One way we can fix this is by exposing ourselves to the lives of other working actors whom we all know and love. In actuality, a lot of super successful people have gone through adversity themselves: Leslie Odom Jr. was considering quitting acting shortly before he was invited to be a part of “Hamilton.” Kevin Hart had trouble paying his rent when he first started out in comedy. John Krasinski had trouble getting an audition after “The Office” ended.
READ: How to Audition
If you want to stay motivated, expose yourself to as many actors’ stories as possible. Read Backstage and listen to its podcast, “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast.” Read actors’ biographies or listen to the audiobooks. The more exposure you have to others, the less you’ll feel like something is wrong with you.
Finally, go easy on yourself. We’re taught everything about acting, monologues, and auditioning, but very little about mindset and emotions. Actors are emotional people. It’s why we’re so good at what we do! But it also makes us very vulnerable when hardship inevitably arises. You’re likely doing much better than you think. Don’t beat yourself up.
When you eventually start booking, you just might be one of those motivational success stories yourself.
*Submit questions for our Experts on Backstage’s Facebook or Twitter accounts or via our forums page at backstage.com/forums!
This story originally appeared in the March 25 issue of Backstage Magazine. Subscribe here.
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The views expressed in this article are solely those of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
