Maybe the role is for someone much older or younger. Or maybe the script mentions how incredibly tall and muscular the character is, and you’re actually average height and on the lean side. When this used to happen to me, I’d do one of two things:
1. Panic
2. Try to figure out how to change myself into how I think “they” want me to look/be/act
It was exhausting. And quite frankly, a waste of time.
Because the truth is, you can’t really change your essence. And that’s a good thing! Because there is only one you in the entire Universe.
Thankfully, over time I’ve discovered some ways to check my inner critic and turn these types of “that’s so not me” auditions into just another awesome opportunity.
1. Don’t Worry About It
If we take the above example, and you’re of average height and on the slender side, there is no way you can “become” muscular for tomorrow’s audition. Guess what? It doesn’t matter! They might end up changing the script anyway, and your slender self might just fit the bill.
2. Be You
When you walk into the room, be you. Don’t try to “be” the thing you think they want in the character. Just be your confident self. Again – you can’t change who you are, and why would you want to?
3. Do The Work
Don’t let the fact that you’re unlike the character in some way distract you from the task at hand. Prepare your sides and make the part YOURS. You may not get cast, but you will win over the casting director if you do your job. And isn’t that the point?
How do you handle these types of “that’s sooo not me” auditions? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.