Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 3/20/2010

Question
I am a freshman at high school, where they hold musicals every year and our town has a stage compoany that has plays often. I've always wanted to be onstage acting and singing, but I have very low confidence and am so scared to audition, because I'm worried about sucking, or not getting a role. I'm an average singer and actor. How can I get over my fear of auditions and just go for it, whether I get a part or not?

Answer
Hey there, Serena...And thanks for writing.

First of all, you are doing the right thing by seeking advice on this.  Please feel free to ask someone other than myself as well for advice.  It's good.

Secondly, it is great that you are acknowledging and admitting the fear.  That's half of the battle - acknowledging that it is there.

Third, what is it that you have fear about specifically?  Can you write it down more specifically?  If you can write it down, that will help you look at it more closely.  For e.g. you say that you have low confidence.  Well, what makes you think you have low confidence?  Where does that come from?  Why do you think that you have low confidence?

The answer to this question - the more specific answers - helps you to get to the bottom of these beliefs.  When you look at your specific answers to why you think you are low in confidence, is any of this rational?  Is any of it true?  And if it is, then what can you do to improve in that area?

Breathe deeply, prepare your monologue well or whatever is needed for the audition, do your best and learn from every experience.  And improve on these beliefs that are in the way of you doing this.

Honestly, getting a part is not the goal.  Doing your best is the goal.  Eventually, your best will be what a Director is looking for.

Does that help?

Wanda