{"id":2394,"date":"2017-02-07T15:41:39","date_gmt":"2017-02-07T15:41:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=2394"},"modified":"2017-09-25T00:40:02","modified_gmt":"2017-09-25T00:40:02","slug":"is-my-attitude-not-getting-me-roles-and-other-essential-questions-for-actors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/is-my-attitude-not-getting-me-roles-and-other-essential-questions-for-actors\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cIs my attitude not getting me roles?\u201d And Other Essential Questions for Actors"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIs my attitude not getting me roles?\u201d And Other Essential Questions for Actors<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by\u00a0Ashleigh Gardner<\/p>\n

February 3, 2017<\/p>\n<\/font>

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You\u2019ll often hear directors or other actors talking about performers they can\u2019t stand working with. \u201cI hear he\u2019s mean\u201d and \u201cI had a lot of issues with her during that show\u201d are comments that you never want to be associated with your name. Ask yourself these questions every time you audition for a show and accept a new role. You\u2019ll thank yourself later, and your fellow artists will be impressed with your professionalism and self-awareness.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Are you calm and professional in the audition room?<\/h4>\n
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The audition is the first time directors and other performers see you. If you\u2019re loud and obnoxious in the waiting area and rude in the audition room, this signals to them that you might be a handful to work with. Instead of acting like you\u2019ve already gotten the role, graciously thank the audition staff and directors for their time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2.\u00a0Do you flaunt your role?<\/h4>\n
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After you\u2019ve gotten the part, it\u2019s important to realize that just because you got the lead role doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re the most important person in the cast. A show is composed of many different working parts, cast and crew included, and everyone is essential. Everyone knows you\u2019ve got the role; why say anything else? Show up. Don\u2019t show-off.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3.\u00a0Are you polite to cast and crew alike?<\/h4>\n
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A little bit of kindness goes a long way. When you encounter cast and crew on and off the stage, don\u2019t ignore them or introduce sarcasm or antagonism into the conversation. Instead, say, \u201cHello!\u201d, ask them how they\u2019re doing, and wish them a good day. You\u2019ll find that you\u2019ll feel better about yourself, too, when you foster positive relationships with others.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4.\u00a0Do you respect other artists\u2019 time and efforts?<\/h4>\n
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Actors, technicians, designers, and production management are all artists, so respect them the way you would want you to be treated. Going to be late? Don\u2019t automatically assume people will wait for you. <\/span>Call <\/span><\/i>the stage manager and inform them that you\u2019ll be late. It shows that you\u2019re dedicated and respectful of everyone\u2019s time. Also, when you\u2019re handling costumes and props, be careful with everything you touch. This shows respect for the designers\u2019 craft and creative efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5.\u00a0Are you willing to help out when needed?<\/h4>\n
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If the prop, set, or costume department needs extra hands, make an effort to help out. After all, actors and technicians work on the same show. Any missing piece will reflect back on the entire production, not just the design department. Additionally, in some cases, if you\u2019re being paid as an actor, learning one of these trade skills may also earn you a slightly larger paycheck. (But don\u2019t let the prospect of cash overwhelm your altruism.)<\/span><\/p>\n

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6.\u00a0Do you gossip?<\/h4>\n
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We\u2019ve all been in situations when we hear that so-and-so said <\/span>this <\/span><\/i>or so-and-so said <\/span>that. <\/span><\/i>Don\u2019t give into the temptation of gossiping about other performers in your show. This could ruin the reputation of someone who has worked their whole life to get where they are, and once something is said about someone…it\u2019s very hard to take it back, even if it\u2019s not true. Save yourself the embarrassment of being the community gossip, and save someone else\u2019s reputation by refusing to participate in slandering\u00a0their\u00a0name.<\/span><\/p>\n

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7.\u00a0Do you know the difference between pride<\/em> and pretension<\/em>?<\/h4>\n
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Pride is okay! Having pride in your work and your abilities as a performer are essential when it comes to theatre. You must be confident and keep pushing yourself to tackle those seemingly unsurmountable obstacles. However, pretension is something that actors fall into when they can\u2019t control their pride. <\/span>Pretension<\/span><\/i> is when an actor won\u2019t work with another actor based on a personal disagreement, or when an actor thinks they\u2019re \u201ctoo good\u201d for something. (It\u2019s okay to work only for paying shows. After all, this is a business.) But don\u2019t get caught up in pretension over pride. You\u2019ll have a nasty fall.<\/span><\/p>\n

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8.\u00a0Are you real?<\/h4>\n
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All of these questions aside, are you truly being a kind, compassionate, understanding, and honest individual, or are you simply putting on a mask of sincerity? If the way you treat others on and offstage doesn\u2019t feel real, like being nice and welcoming, ask yourself why it doesn\u2019t. Are you unhappy? Do you feel uncomfortable about something? Are you afraid? Seek to make those human connections with your cast and crew more honest and open. After all, theatre is supposed to be a safe haven for artists. Do your best to maintain that compassionate community you call home.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Need some advice? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/h3>\n