Dear Production Team,

Working actor here. I am writing because you have sent me an unnerving response. Instead of sending me an audition slot, or sides, or instructions for a self-tape, you have requested that I follow all your social media accounts before any of the above can even be discussed.

Rejection is a big part of the theatrical industry, and it is something that everyone in the business must deal with. However, instead of dwelling on the pain of getting rejected, let’s focus on the ways you can overcome the feeling of dejection, and how to turn it into something constructive.

During my second year studying undergraduate theatre, my class watched a documentary called Every Little Step. This film details the story of the musical Chorus Line and follows the casting process of the 2006 Broadway revival. Although it is a truly fascinating film I would recommend to all theatre fanatics, one moment stuck with me most of all. One of the actresses cast in the revival said of dancing and showbiz, “If you have something to fall back on, you’ll fall back.” My fellow classmates seemed to think this was wise advice to keep in mind as we began our careers as actors, but to me something seemed wrong with the picture.