Post Written by Dharini Woollcombe.
How to Change What Is:
- Look at what is.
- Look at what could be.
- Do one thing to close that gap. Repeat.
———
Walking into an audition is about what you bring in to the room.
We’ve all heard that phrase. It means that all the worry and insecurity that sits in our bodies walks in to the room with us. It also means that all the warmth, and curiosity, and magic we each possess walks in with us too. So how do you keep that bright part of yourself alive, audition after audition? Spend time on things you love, and find opportunities for change.
One small change can have huge results. That one change will lead you to a moment of inspiration that will change your monologue forever. That one change will allow you to identify what is not working for you in your auditions. One change will make you feel as if you are actually in charge of your own life. Which you are.
YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR OWN LIFE.
YOU, not your agent, not the casting director, not the director, the producer, the writer or the assistant. YOU. It’s all you, baby.
You are in charge of what you do (or don’t do) with your time. YOU are in charge of YOUR life.
And if you don’t feel this way, one change will change that.
So, how about an experiment:
1. Think of one thing – not work related – that you enjoy doing.
What do you enjoy doing? Do you like to read, walk, run, play video games, cook, knit, work out, play with your cats, or visit friends?
2. Set a goal for a week from now.
For example: In one week I will – finish a book, walk 4km, improve my running time by 30 seconds, beat my best score on my favorite video game, cook at least 2 new recipes, make sure I do coffee with 2 different friends, play with my cats for 15 minutes a day every single day, finish knitting that darn scarf.
3. Observe the choices you make.
At the end of the week take note. What kinds of choices did you make to fulfill your goal? Was it doable? Did you have fun? Did funny things happen? How did it affect your approach to your acting work? (rehearsals, classes etc.) Did you have new anecdotes to share?
You see it’s not so much about achieving the goal, it’s about the fact that you made choices for yourself about something you wanted. Having that one simple goal for yourself changes the choices you make, which changes what you do and how you feel. And you know what? – You are what you do, and you look how you feel.
Imagine fulfilling this goal, and having an audition during the same week. What would you walk into the audition room with:
- a sense of accomplishment and capability
- a quiet sense of pleasure and excitement
- new surety in yourself
- joy at your accomplishment
You will feel all this, because you have spent a week fulfilling yourself in some way. The Auditioners will see a confident, happy person, who seems interesting and who has a lot going on within. They will see someone they would like to know better, and would love to work with.
Spending a little time doing things we enjoy, outside of work, is so important to maintaining a balanced life and healthy state of mind. It also helps us find new inspiration and creativity, which in turn makes us feel more fulfilled. It nurtures our Actor self and feeds the parts of ourselves that attract people to us. Which is why finding opportunities for change and fulfilling simple, personal goals will keep you shining, audition after audition.