In a competitive industry, many actors worry about whether there is ROOM for them. If there are other actors that look like them and can play the same characters just as well– then how can they succeed?

Well let me say with 100% confidence that if you are passionate about this work being the most perfect fit for you– then there IS ROOM FOR YOU IN THIS INDUSTRY.

No one is YOU. Not even close.

No one’s heart can come even close to replicating yours. How could it? No one has been through the emotional ups and downs that you have. No one has lived through life making the exact decisions you have made– and have been served the exact same lessons the exact same way. All of those little details that are intimately you, are YOURS and YOURS alone.

So if NO ONE can be you… precisely YOU…. well then as long as you approach your work authentically… NO ONE can give the exact same performance.

Any audition appointment you get– they want to see one thing. YOUR version of the character. If they wanted to see someone else’s version of the work– well they would set up an appointment with them and NOT you. When you are brought to the table– it is your JOB to do a performance as only YOU can give it. And there is no one as qualified to bring YOURSELF to the work– as YOU!

Thinking this way as you approach your auditions can help keep you feeling empowered as an artist. Stop worrying about what the other side of the table WANTS and start focusing on what YOU want to BRING. You can’t control anyone else’s decisions but your own. So make the decision to make YOURSELF proud. Make choices that YOU have fun with. Trying to get into the head of someone else will trip you up. Do your research and understand the story and vibe to the best of your ability and then make the choices that make YOU feel good.

Stop WORRYING about the other people auditioning. Stop WORRYING about what the other side of the table wants. Start CREATING things that ONLY YOU can create and see how THAT brings you new places in your career. Auditioning IS the work, and if you find yourself having more fear than fun, you need to take a step back and check in with yourself. Fear doesn’t book jobs. Fun on the other hand…..that’s a different story!

For more help on making creative choices in the audition room– check out our online classes!

Colleen Finnegan Kahl is an accomplished Theatre Arts Educator, author of this article, and President of Actors Connection, offering online acting classes and workshops for teens and adults alike.

Photo kindly by Jean Gerber. Additional insert photo thank you to Ben White.