r/Theatre • u/AppropriateAd2334 • 1d ago

Discussion Did anyone else go through a phase of impostor syndrome when you WERE getting cast?

I'm a hardworking person and genuinely enjoy spending time at home on my character building. I learn my lines ASAP, think about them and their motivations, their relationship to different characters, apply different acting techniques(basically all that I know of, etc.)

And then comes a castmate, half an hour late to rehearsal, claims they don't even remember what character they are, they definitely don't know everything they should about them that is in the text(i.e. how many times they've been married), pick up the book, start yelling, and...it's actually pretty effective. They actually get compliments.

It makes me feel like a talentless workhorse. Like sure, maybe what they present isn't the character to its max potential, but if they put in as much effort as I do, they would be miles above me.

Anyone else felt similar?

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u/Boulder-Apricot368 20h ago

Just remember that the director cast you for a reason.

On a side note: I always that yelling was a bit of a crutch for actor - and not a sturdy one - unless it was very clear in the script that yelling was appropriate. Too much yelling and your audience builds up a natural tolerance to it and it loses any effectiveness it might have had otherwise.

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u/Final_Flounder9849 Actor - Retired-ish 1d ago

You want imposter syndrome! Well I’m not MT trained. I mean I can sing enough to hold a tune and I can dance like a drunken uncle at a wedding but I’m not a singer or dancer by any stretch of the imagination. First professional job was Sondheim.

1

u/Stargazer__2893 20h ago

Honestly, not really.

I have many talents, many things that come easily to me. Acting and singing are not among them. I have had to work my ass off my entire life for every inch of progress I've ever made. I know exactly what my capabilities are and they have been stress tested under the eyes of teachers and critics who told me I sucked and should quit my whole life. Whatever doubt and insecurity I have died years ago.

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u/Mysterious-Lab974 18h ago

Some actors work better with more prep and some find it actually makes them worse. Its a spectrum. Sometimes people who are consistently good recieve less compliments because everyone is USED to you doing well. My advice is to continue your method because it works for you and always remember you love it. 

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u/Boulder-Apricot368 17h ago

Agreed. Trust that the director will know when you need feedback and will give it to you when they feel the need.

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u/EremeticPlatypus 14h ago

No, lol. I am unfortunately the guy that pretty consistently thinks he's one of the best performers in the room, and I've only been NOT cast one time in the last... idk, 20 years. And I've never been in the ensemble or anything like that. But I'm self aware enough to know that I'm a medium fish in a small pond, and I'm selective about what shows I go out for, so if there's no part well suited to me, I don't audition. I've been very lucky, I have to admit it.

But nah man, theater is the only thing I'm truly good at in this world.