5 Things I Did Differently That Led to Better Auditions
Auditions used to feel like punishment.
I’d walk into the room with my heart racing, trying to project confidence while secretly hoping I could just get through it without messing up. I’d leave feeling like I had no idea what just happened — and worse, like I had to earn the right to even be there.
And for a long time, I wasn’t booking. I wasn’t even getting callbacks.
But over time, something started to shift.
Not because I suddenly got more “talented” or booked a magical acting coach.
But because I changed how I was approaching auditions — from the inside out.
If you’re feeling stuck or burnt out on the whole audition thing, I want to share five shifts I made that changed not only my outcomes, but how I felt about auditioning. They’re small, human things. But they made a big difference.
👉 Want to watch the video version of this post? You can find it here 🎥
1. I Stopped Trying to Be What I Thought They Wanted
This was a big one.
For years, I walked into every audition thinking my job was to figure out what they wanted and become that. I’d adjust my delivery, second-guess my instincts, and play it safe. Sometimes it worked okay — but I rarely felt proud of what I did in the room.
And truthfully? Most of the time, I didn’t even feel like me.
The turning point came when I stopped chasing some imaginary version of what I thought casting wanted. I started making choices that felt specific and honest to me. Choices that maybe wouldn’t please everyone, but felt grounded, personal, and clear.
Suddenly, I wasn’t just “doing a version” of a character. I was offering my take. And casting responded to that.
What changed:
- I got specific instead of trying to be universal.
- I started trusting my instincts more than my guesses.
- I reminded myself that I’m not for everyone — and that’s okay.
2. I Gave Myself Permission to Be Nervous
Nerves used to be the enemy.
If I felt nervous before an audition, I took it as a bad sign. Like I wasn’t ready. Like I’d already failed before I started.
So I’d try to hide the nerves — fake confidence, push through, tell myself to “just breathe.” But it never worked. Because instead of being present, I was performing this weird version of “calm actor energy.”
Eventually, I realized I didn’t need to get rid of the nerves. I just needed to stop fighting them.
Now, I treat nerves like a guest that’s allowed to be there. I breathe with them. I acknowledge them without spiraling. I even say, “Hey — of course you’re nervous. This matters to you.”
And funny enough? When I stop resisting them, they lose their power.
What changed:
- I stopped treating nerves like a failure.
- I gave myself space to feel things without panic.
- I focused on honesty, not perfection.
3. I Started Prepping Emotionally, Not Just Logistically
My old prep routine was a checklist:
Memorize lines. Map out beats. Look up the casting team. Maybe record a practice run.
All good things — but I was missing something huge.
I wasn’t checking in with myself.
Now, before I prep any scene, I take five minutes to pause and ask:
- How am I actually feeling today?
- What’s the heartbeat of this character?
- Why do I care about this moment?
I started making space for my emotional readiness — not just my logistical readiness. And that changed how I showed up.
Because I wasn’t just trying to “hit the beats” anymore. I was connected to the character, the story, and my own point of view.
What changed:
- I allowed prep to be a conversation, not just a task list.
- I prioritized connection over control.
- I gave myself room to be human in the process.
4. I Made It a Two-Way Exchange
For years, I walked into auditions with a subtle (or not-so-subtle) desperation:
Please like me. Please pick me. Please say I did a good job.
And that energy? It’s not fun to carry. It also didn’t help me feel confident or collaborative.
At some point, I started flipping the script.
Instead of going in to “get picked,” I started going in to offer something.
As in:
“This is how I see the role. This is the story I’m telling. Let’s see if it aligns.”
That tiny mindset shift made a massive difference in how I felt in the room.
I wasn’t asking for permission anymore. I was contributing something.
What changed:
- I began seeing auditions as a conversation, not a test.
- I remembered that casting is trying to solve a puzzle — and I might be the right piece.
- I let myself take up creative space.
5. I Let Go After It’s Over
Here’s the truth: I used to obsess after auditions.
Replaying every moment. Overanalyzing every breath. Wondering if I should’ve smiled more. If I chose the right shirt. If I should’ve cried harder or less.
It was exhausting. And totally unproductive.
Now, I have a post-audition ritual. I literally say to myself: “I did my work. I did what I could. Now it’s out of my hands.”
Then I move on.
Letting go doesn’t mean I don’t care. It just means I trust the process enough to stop clinging to it.
And honestly? That mental shift has made auditioning feel way more sustainable.
What changed:
- I created closure for myself instead of waiting for it.
- I redirected my energy toward what’s next.
- I stopped letting one audition take up days of emotional real estate.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in a season of auditioning and not seeing results — I really want you to hear this:
You are not broken.
You are not bad at this.
And you are definitely not alone.
Sometimes, the answer isn’t to hustle harder. It’s to approach things differently. To make space for more honesty, more connection, more you in the process.
These five shifts didn’t magically fix everything overnight. But they slowly, quietly, changed how I approached auditions — and how auditions felt in my body.
And that kind of change? It’s what made everything else possible.
🎥 Want to watch the video version of this post? You can find it here!
🗣️ I’d love to hear:
What’s one shift you’ve made in your audition process that actually helped you feel more like you?
Let’s swap notes in the comments 💬
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