Just because they didn't call you...

Nice object lesson in auditioning last night: I just booked a part in a workshop. I didn't audition for it. I got it because of an audition I had for a completely unrelated project roughly 9 months ago.

Cool, right? I'm betting more people than you probably realize get parts this way.

It all started last spring, when I came to an audition. There was a huge panel on the other side of the table-- all directors for a festival of one acts.

...you ever notice how groups of one act plays are always called a festival? I used to think it was actually a celebration of some kind. Now I'm starting to think it's just the proper group name, ie. a "pride" of Lions, a "pack" of wolves, a "murder" of crows, and a "festival" of one-acts. Someone with time do me a favor and check the dictionary on that one.

Anyway, I read for a few parts in a comedy. I got the reader and panelists to laugh, so I counted it as a success. I didn't get called back, but I think I got a nice thank you note from the festival director.

Well, she remembered me! They got a new project of a 118-page full length play they want to workshop. It's about the Appalachian Trail. I don't know what they did or what I did last spring that made them think of me, but I got an email last night saying I was their first choice for one of the two biggest roles in the show.

The moral of the story? If you audition for something and don't get called back, it doesn't mean they rejected you. They just might be saving you for their next big thing.

Break legs,

~Joel R. Putnam

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image (c) 2007 Mark Stivers

Comments

[Angela Sauer]

Love the "festival" of one-acts joke!

[Cassidy Gard]

I think this is a really special reminder that good things happen if you keep on going forward and believing in yourself. It's awesome that they kept you in mind for something new. Congratulations!

[Linda Fausnet]

Good point. I'm a writer, not an actor, but of course I am quite familiar with rejection. Even worse, I am getting laid off from my day job at the end of this month and my husband and I don't know how we'll be able to support 2 kids, pay the mortgage etc. Ive been desperately looking for work since Nov. Anyway, this past Sunday I got a call out of the blue from some place I just blindly sent a resume and cover letter to a year ago (ive actually been trying to get out of this job for a while because the bosses are nothing short of abusive -
So maybe this is for the best?) Anyway, wish me luck. The lesson is that sometimes you can get good news out of the blue when you are ready to give up.