Every actor knows the sting of hearing “no.” In fact, rejection might be the one universal truth of this business.
No actor in the industry makes it without being rejected at least some of the time. So the question becomes: how do you deal with it?
Welcome back to Part II in our series, where the Schreiber Scribe considers the actor’s journey when it comes to insecurity and rejection. In Part I on last month’s blog (catch up here if you missed it!), we heard from voices across our community about whether every actor, on some level, is insecure.
And though our purpose in this series was to provide some guidance on how to deal with insecurity, reaching out to our Artistic Director, Peter Jensen, helped us see it differently: he doesn’t see insecurity as something to deal with, but rather something to be embraced as part of your artistic self.
As Peter says, artists by nature are sensitive creatures, which can naturally give rise to feelings of insecurity. But on the flip side, that intense sensitivity and passion can strengthen an actor’s confidence in their ability to deeply connect with their art.
So, embrace your insecurities when they come up . . . especially when it comes to being rejected.
Rejection is Part of the Process, but it Doesn’t Define You
The reality is that even the most established actors face being turned down for a role. In a clip we shared last month on our T Schreiber Studio Instagram, Kate Winslet spoke openly about rejection, especially in the early days of her career:
“So much of acting is rejection, especially when you’re young and starting out . . . the hard part is having the resilience [to] push through and decide whether you love it enough to keep getting the knockbacks and just keep going forward.”
We agree: those knockbacks don’t have to hold you back. Here are some tips on dealing with the rejection process from our own Bill Coelius:
Perhaps most important when it comes to dealing with not landing the part is shifting your mindset.
Think about an audition where you didn’t get the role, but felt proud of the work. What did you take from that moment that helped you grow?
As one of our community members put it, “ . . . Auditioning is a selection process and though most of the time one doesn’t get selected, that doesn’t mean the work has been rejected. So many times an unselected yet amazing audition goes on to win you work elsewhere down the road. It’s your choice as to how you look at it all . . .”
Shifting the Actor Mindset: From One Audition to the Bigger Picture
Navigating our business starts with knowing that it is never about a single audition. No one moment defines a career. And one audition doesn’t reflect the scope, range, or depth of your craft.
What’s more, countless factors go into casting decisions, many of which are completely out of an actor’s control. Maybe you’re too tall for a scene partner, look too much like another cast member, or don’t match the director’s vision.
For example, Steven Spielberg famously expressed concern about Sally Field’s age and ability to convincingly portray Mary Todd Lincoln opposite Daniel Day-Lewis’ Abe Lincoln. (Field, of course, eventually earned the role, with Spielberg even praising her performance as one of the best of her career!)
Just as in Field’s case, sometimes the factors that make the difference between waiting for a callback that never comes and booking the role are entirely outside an actor’s control. That is, they often don’t reflect an actor’s craft or talent. And knowing that can help actors separate their self-worth from outcomes.
With this perspective, each audition is a chance for an actor to perform, show their craft, and connect. In our business, it’s a rare opportunity just to be in the room—to have the chance to be seen and leave an impression. And casting directors remember consistency, professionalism, and growth alongside bookings.
So, don’t think of our business as one of rejection. Each time you step into a room, you’re honing your skills, building your network, and reinforcing your presence in the industry. The job may not come today, but today’s effort sets the stage for tomorrow’s success.