People often talk about how competitive the entertainment industry is and those words are hard to swallow. Why? Why is this industry competitive? This is a completely subjective field to work in. While one person may love and adore every single thing you do, say and become, person number two is not a fan. There is no right or wrong, there is just being you and you are going to be right for some projects and not right for many others.
To look at the person sitting next to you in the waiting room of an audition and think ‘You’re my competition, I need to beat you.’ is a toxic way to navigate such an industry. It is our job as performers to come in prepared, rehearsed, researched, open and with a willingness to listen and take direction.
It’s so easy for us to compare ourselves to those around us, to their journey...but no journey is the same. We each take steps upwards unless we let that disgusting jealousy monster jump on our backs and weigh us down. We each leap forward with every new accomplishment unless we let the competitive demons overpower our sense of self worth. There are only some things we as actors can control and that includes our mindset and our preparedness. We cannot control how others perceive us so don’t look at the person sitting next to you in the waiting room and think ‘I need to beat you.’ look yourself in the mirror and say ‘How can I get better?’ Be your own competition. Challenge yourself to achieve new goals, reach new heights. You are the only thing standing in your way so shake off the jealousy and competitiveness and figure out how to enlighten yourself. Light a fire under your bum and be better today than you were yesterday.
The successes of your fellow performers should be celebrated! It isn’t a ‘They won, I lost’ situation, they were right for this project and you’ll be right for the next one. Support is key. LOVE the things they book and they will love the things you book! AWP Alumni Bonnie Gillespie always says “Book the room.” It’s not about booking that particular job, though of course that would be fantastic, but it’s about booking the room! Creating fans out of the casting directors so that even if you aren’t the perfect fit for this role, they have you in mind for something down the line! (By the way, if you haven’t become obsessed with Bonnie and her awesomeness, you need to get on that...like yesterday! www.BonnieGillespie.com)
So, do yourselves a favor and say so long to the jealousy monster. Thank it for it’s time and send it on its way! You are the only you there is so be profoundly you and continue to show up for yourself every day!
Love and smiles,
The AWP Team