It's ok to say you want a role.
Yep. I said it. And I’m gonna say it again. It’s ok to say you want a role.
Can we please stop making this taboo? (Dancers, I’m talking to you.)
For years, I was afraid to say that I wanted a role: Afraid that they wouldn't think I was good enough or that I didn't deserve it. Afraid that they would think that I thought I deserved it, when inside I was afraid that I wasn’t good enough and never would be. Afraid that I’d be humiliated if I said what I wanted out loud and didn’t book it. Afraid that, if I did book it, I wouldn’t be able to pull it off. Afraid that talking about wanting a role with someone else who was in for the same part would be interpreted as me thinking I was better than them and simultaneously being afraid that the other person would think I was ridiculous for thinking I had a chance.
But when you stop and think about it...don’t we all want roles? That’s why we got into the business in the first place, isn’t it? To tell stories? To use our voices and express ourselves...even if we are “dancers first”? So say it out loud, sister! Say it and own it.
And when you hear someone else say that they want that role, too, that’s ok. Instead of feeling threatened or competitive, perhaps you could have a super-interesting conversation with them about the role. Find out why they love it and are drawn to it. Perhaps you could learn something about the character that you hadn’t thought about before. What an amazing opportunity to learn from each other!
So stop hiding, say it out loud, and get to work on that character! During this pandemic, you’ve been given the gift of time. Use it.
Annnnd….ACTION:
What roles do you want to play? Make a list of roles that light you up inside. Pick one and really get to the bottom of WHY you want to tell that character’s story. Then drop it in the comments below, so we can all cheer each other on! Then GET TO WORK ON IT!
Bonus points: What other roles in your life, outside of the theatre, are you ready to step into? Say them out loud!