Managing Mental Health in the Audition Process: Tips for Actors

The opportunity for actors to create work comes usually through the often anxious process of audition. Although the audition is the gateway to a process of creative exploration, rehearsal and consequent performance, as an auditionee, you are frequently expected to deliver a depth of engagement in a role without the ‘safety net’ of exploration and rehearsal through trial and error.

Auditioning is a frequently identified stressor for actors, along with professional and financial uncertainty. Recognised stresses around the procedure of auditioning include securing the audition, doing the audition, waiting for a possible call-back, waiting for a final decision, and dealing with frequent rejection.

As a result, it’s not uncommon to experience cumulative anxiety (where you feel constantly on edge, uncertain about your immediate future plans and actions), diminishing self-esteem (when you experience frequent rejection, or worse still, no response), and subsequent depression (where you feel ‘shut-down’ in your feelings and lacking motivation to do everyday things that would normally give you pleasure or a sense of connection to others).

If your self-esteem is being worn down, it could be helpful to seek out a creative careers coach or counsellor who can help you identify and review your unique core values and capacities, so that you don’t become defeated by external, and ultimately subjective judgments and industry expectations that you have no control over.

Anxiety is produced by multiple causes. It is expressed by a diverse set of symptoms, including physical, emotional, behavioural, and cognitive components. This is why we can ask many different people about a very common experience, yet get totally different definitions of what it means to be anxious.

If you are feeling more frequently (and understandably) anxious as you continually put yourself ‘out there’ to try and get acting work (or any work), then it would be wise to seek out professional support from a psychologist or mental health coach.

To address these issues, actors can take action steps to improve their mental health during the audition process. It's important for actors to prioritise their mental health during the audition process, and take steps to manage their emotions and stress levels. This can include regular exercise, getting enough sleep, practicing mindfulness or meditation, seeking support from friends or family, and utilising techniques such as visualisation and focusing on the process rather than the outcome.

In conclusion, the audition process can be a challenging time for actors, but by prioritising their mental health and taking action steps to manage their emotions and stress levels, they can navigate the audition process with greater confidence and resilience. Seeking support from professionals, friends, and family can also be helpful in maintaining good mental health during this process. By taking care of their mental health, actors can set themselves up for success and achieve their career goals with greater ease.