Rejected

Here's the thing about rejection: it's inevitable and it is almost always going to hurt a little. And it's part of life, so the sooner you learn to deal with it, the better. Taking rejection is a fine art, and since I'm getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts (maybe) I thought I would share some tips.

How to Prepare

If you ask me, the best way to deal with rejection is to know it's coming. NEVER expect acceptance—not for college auditions, not for professional auditions, and definitely not when you give up on your dreams and apply to med school. Even if they heavily imply it in your audition, you can't know you're accepted until you see it in writing. I'm not saying be a total pessimist—actually, maybe I am—but "expect the worst, hope for the best" is a thing for a reason, the reason being that it works! 

When you do any kind of audition, even if you HATE auditioning (if you hate it that much you probably shouldn't do it for a living, but that's another discussion), you have to find some reason to be there besides "I want to get in/get the part." Try, "I want to get experience auditioning" or "I want to practice my craft." (I'm sorry I said craft. I know, pretentious.) Tell yourself—nay, CONVINCE yourself—that acceptance isn't everything. 

Once You're Rejected

If it's a school you really cared about, take a day to mourn. Some people say three days, or three hours or however long it takes you to finish a pint of Ben & Jerry's (insert #BFAbody joke here). I don't need more than a day to wallow, but you have to accept that it might creep up on you from time to time—for example, I dreamed that I reauditioned for a school that rejected me last night. The best advice I can give for getting over it is to think about all the awesome schools you did get into and how happy you would be there! If you don't get in anywhere or anywhere you love/can afford, think about what a blast it would be to reaudition, this time having a clue what you are doing! I almost want to reaudition, for a few reasons. I'll make a post about that soon. ANYWAY, there is so much more in your life besides college. That's why I buy myself socks and sushi every time I audition. Also, hello, life experience makes you a better actor. Man, I can't WAIT to see how the experiences I've had this year will change my work! (There's no way to say that without sounding obnoxious, I'm sorry.)

But What Did I Do Wrong???

The hardest thing for me after being rejected is not knowing why. You can't know why. And you know what? Why might be STUPID. Backstage has a great article on "why you weren't cast." That can give you some ideas if you're truly curious, but the point they're making is that you have very little control, no matter how "well" you think you did. At my two best auditions, I didn't get in. The next best two, I did. But it's so random, and that's what Backstage is getting at. You can't waste your time wondering why, unless you also want to be a casting director (this is my excuse). Also, read "why we cast you!" That one is actually uplifting.

Always remember: it's okay to be sad, it's okay to be jealous, it's okay to wonder why, but it's not okay not to be happy and it's not okay to let those negative feelings take over your life. You are more than this. You are more than this. Rejection or acceptance is NOT a judgment on your validity as a person or an actor. Every rejection makes you stronger, prepares you for future rejections, and helps you learn about yourself. It's a good thing! But I can't deny that even good things sometimes suck at first.