advice/support/words of wisdom/ANYTHING really, please

[milliemarch]

Posted: 7/17/07 at 11:57pm

Hey everyone!
So I auditioned for Broadway Theatre Project in the winter and was wait listed then in June they called me and told me a spot had become available, so now I'm here at BTP.
It's week two and all I can think is that the other 190 people here are better than me b/c they got in originally while I'm a wait lister.
I don't have the confidence to get up and sing or do monologues in any of the workshops or classes because I feel like everyone here is better than me..way better.
Can anyone give me any type of advice/encouragement? I'm having a bit of a cry fest tonight just from my low self confidence being around all of these people who must be better than me b/c they actually got in while I'm just a replacement...

[dramadude2]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:04am

Don't worry too much about their talent compared to yours. All you can do is learn from them and improve yourself. Think of right now as that point in a movie where the main character decides to make a change for the better and commits to it. You see them working hard and gradually improving to be as good or better than everyone else while really upbeat music plays.
bum chika boot bop wop a doo!
uhhhhhhhhh
maybe some better music.

[Marlene]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:14am

Think of it this way... you were fabulous enough to be offered one of the few waitlisted spots in an amazing program. There is a reason tht you're there and others aren't. Regardless, it would be a great learning experience to get feedback from the instructors there and perhaps your peers. The more your sit around and hold yourself back and judge yourself... the more your lose. It's just hindering your ability to improve and gain experience as an actress / singer / dancer. When you look at it in retrospect, the worst that can happen is that someone won't like what you did and they'll make some sort of snarky comment... and at the end of the day that tends to happen to even the best. (Look at the lovely message board and see how the BWW queens rip apart even the seasoned pros.)

I'm definitely not saying to do a complete 180 and completely put yourself out there tomorrow (if you can do that kudos to you <3). But try to push your limits a little, and find a way not to judge yourself... or at least not to judge yourself when you're actively volunteering to put something up and when you're working on it. It just adds to your nerves. And in my case--then I really become a complete mess.

Be narcisstic... don't be focused on how great other people already are, focus on yourself. Think positive. Learn. Change. Grow.

[Sporti2005]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:36am

I second what Marlene said. If they waitlisted you that obviously means they think you're talented/driven/whatever enough to get a lot out of their program.

Try to focus on the experience instead of your insecurities -- remember that it's sort of a once in a lifetime opportunity and that you should be trying to soak up all the training you can.

And most importantly, HAVE FUN! You obviously love theatre, and you get to do it all day for the next while, so enjoy the hell out of it!

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 7/18/07 at 5:47pm

Well if you don't participate people are going to think you don't care and don't want to be there and are too afraid to step outside yourself. Just do it. Your wasting your time and money if you don't get all you can out of BTP. You don't want to look back and wish you had stood up to do that song or monologue. Everyone else will be better than you because their showing their stuff and being open to critisism. Do the same and you can be better than them. Don't worry that your just a replacement. If they didn't think you could handle the program they would have gotten someone else to fill to spot.
Updated On: 7/18/07 at 05:47 PM

[paulP2]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 2:15pm

Coming to New York can be a little overwhelming at first. It is natural to be a little nervous. My advice is to jump in be bad if you have to be, but by doing what you love you will find your own way.

If your nerves continue to get the best of you maybe it is a good idea to get into a good acting class that will help you explore your talent.

I study at the Sally Johnston Studios and I know early on they made a huge difference in my career.

Their website is www.sallyjohnsonstudio.com.

Keep your head up. Find community in the city. It will get better if you hang in there.

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 3:55pm

I see from your screen name that you enjoy Sutton Foster? Perhaps you can think of it this way.. Someone has ASKED you to play the role of Sutton Foster's understudy in one of your favorite shows she has performed in. You're not going to try and BE sutton.. You're going to be yourself but, do it for Sutton. Make her proud with your performance in front of the class in your mind. It will help if you give yourself a scenerio or something to Act with. who cares what the other people think or if you were called in last minute? Like everyone else has stated, you were GOOD enough to get this last minute space. And as they say, save the best for last. You may never get another chance to do this program so why waste their time and yours??? HAVE FUN. The worst you can do is fall down and pick yourself back up. You learn from others and they learn from you. You can think these other people are brilliant and you can get up and they may say WOW! She is so good how come she hasn't gone yet?? Have confidence. Just breathe and know you are there for a reason. The classroom is the safest place to make mistakes. Learn from everything now so later on in life, you can just do it!

Updated On: 7/19/07 at 03:55 PM

[RunningInTheDark]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 5:12pm

the ONLY way to get better is by screwing up, and ADMITTING it. Asking. Asking. Asking.

So, please, SCREW UP EVERY DAY in front of EVERYONE. That just means your learning.

Think about harry potter (ha ha, nerd I know). "Every great wizard in history started off as an unknown student"

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 5:45pm

Boy have i been in your shoes before! When I went to the Hairspray auditions at Tampa I was SO nervous because these kids were kids that had been training for YEARS and i was someone who liked to sing and loved hairspray so i went--i got there was like there is no way i have a chance! AND i got a callback! Have faith that youll do good and u will!

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/19/07 at 10:54pm

ps

please report back to us when you get up in class!!! WE ARE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU!!!!

[RENTingFAME]

Posted: 7/20/07 at 4:27pm

First of all, congratulations on getting in at all!!!

You never know... there may be a few other people in the program who got wait listed, and the non-wait listed people are not necessarily better than you. My friend from school, who was valedictorain of her class, played soccer, did speech, worked a nursing home etc. (literally) got wait listed at Yale, and that doesn't make her any worse than anyone else. Maybe your audition just wasn't exactly what they were looking for or something, but they still saw you had potential.

At any rate, just be glad you had the opportunity to be in this program, enjoy it, and learn as much as you can! Best of luck!