I’m living in that dreaded lull period between callbacks and offers where all we can do is wait and keep an ear pressed to the ground. Where we develop unhealthy obsessions with Callback Corner and attempt to make plans for the coming months without knowing whether the bulk of our hours will be spent in a rehearsal room, fervently working on that revered project that so many wanted but few actually get to experience. I’ve been in this place many times and it seems that I’m often forced to employ therapeutic tactics to keep my mind sane and continue to have the will to press forward. Writing is one of those tactics, so while I attempt to be a resource for the community as much as possible, there are times when I may just write for myself. This is one of those times.
While the ups and downs have been numerous this season, I consider it to be one of my hardest working periods to date. One of my steps forward this year included taking more master classes and trying to really just listen and observe others in their professional working environment. I had the pleasure of participating in such a class yesterday, and I continue to be surprised by how much I learn, not from my own work session, but from how I perceive others’ preparation and performance. I’ve watched singers with incredible instruments who can’t seem to break past listening to the sound of their own voice. Who when given extreme exercises can’t adapt their cuts because they have very strong perceptions of how the sound should be produced, something I’m guilty of more often than not. I’ve also watched singers who may not have those butter chords, but damn it if they don’t deliver some of the most passionate performances I’ve ever witnessed. And who am I to judge whether or not someone will find success in this industry? Maybe one of my biggest lessons should be that goals of success should never surpass the importance of self-fulfillment and emoting stories to our watchers. So, while I wait, it’s comforting to know that if this call never comes, I will continue to move forward and not let periods of rejection derail the true aforementioned goal.
And raise your hand if you HATE the term rejection?! We all have our own unique gifts to present to the industry. I know we often hear how much of a puzzle casting tends to be, but I find it really to be the truth that we all bring something different to the table. Each of us just needs to find our puzzle 🙂
