Confidence in the theatre

[iLikeGrapes1234]

I grew up in a small conservative town in Illinois, where we didn't have a theatre program at my high school. I am now pursuing a minor at my university, but I don't have nearly as much experience as the other people. I've always loved singing, so about a year ago I went to a musical theatre workshop hosted by the department chair. I never went to one before and I didn't know what to expect. I got a random song that wasn't in my key (which I didn't know at the time) and had the nerve to sing in front of all these upperclassmen and the head of the department. While everyone else was being critiqued on the stage, the department head said that he would rather have a separate meeting with me. So I sucked. The experience scarred me, even a year later. Now I'm 20 years old with hardly any experience, and I'm terrified to audition in front of the department head since he knows how bad I did. I've grown so much in the past year but even now I cry when I think about the experience. Can someone give me some words of encouragement on how to become more confident in myself since this incident?

[AuditionMethod]

Oh ILikeGrapes...welcome to the theater business.  Where WE are our own biggest critics!

You said it yourself!  You have grown so much in one year!  So bravo for that!!!  My partner and I have been in the business for 20 years and trust me when I say we have sucked many of a time.  Ive sucked so bad at an audition but still got cast because I was the type they were looking for and saw that I had talent regardless of my mistakes.  So don't beat yourself up!  And dont go into it thinking ahh I sucked so bad last time....go in there to show how much you've improved!!!  

Break a leg!!!

 

 

[Larcen26]

"While everyone else was being critiqued on the stage, the department head said that he would rather have a separate meeting with me. So I sucked."

Did you go to that separate meeting?  Did he say "You Sucked?"  Or are you only assuming that's why they wanted to talk to you?  Maybe they loved it and saw true potential and wanted to discuss mentoring you on a more permanent basis? Maybe when you walk in there he will be "Oh good!  It's you!  I was wondering if I would ever see you again!"

And if he DID say "You sucked" he is a horrible teacher and you shouldn't care what he thinks either way...I don't care if he IS the dept. head.

Think about it like this.  While you are learning to perform and until you are truly comfortable onstage, the dumber you feel, the more uncomfortable you feel, the better you are probably doing it.  This is a fact.  When you feel comfortable, you are probably not putting yourself out there enough because you are being guarded, afraid of being mocked.  But you won't be.

All I can say is, fear is part of performing.  Barbara Streisand has to almost get pushed on stage every time she performs live.  Confidence comes from experience and letting go of what other people think. 

My personal technique is to be really honest with myself about what REALISTICALLY will happen in either direction.  If I nail the audition, the best thing that will happen is I will get the part...they won't weep and hoist me on their shoulders telling everyone the epic tale about the most perfect audition ever.  If I screw up, I won't get the part...they won't stand up and boo and berate me.

But you got this.  Think back to when you had the confidence and think about why you had it.  Try doing your audition in front of friends first.  Build it up...

You will be fine.  I promise.