<p>D auditioned at two places so far. She got a very hefty scholarship at one and a rejection at the other. While D. is thrilled with the acceptance she is naturally disapointed and confused about the rejection. She still has 3 auditions to go and is a bit hesitant after the rejection, but she wants to have a choice about where she attends. (We also know handling "rejection" well, is going to be important in this career.)</p>
<p>I tried to help her shed some light on the situation, but it very difficult to understand how a faculty can select students based on a 2 minute audition. They do not know her and have no idea what she is capable of. How do Universities who do not know these students assess their talents and potential in the field in 2 minutes? What are they looking for? What makes them choose one very talented student over another very talented student?</p>
<p>How does a parent help put this into perspective?</p>
<p>"She spent the summer at OCU and got to know the faculty well. I can't help but think that had a lot to do with the offer. The faculty got to know my D. and know what she is capable of." - yes, I would say you have a point there, I know me attending a specific summer programme helped me with my initial audition. As for being offered one place and rejected by another school - that's just the business. Best to get used to it now. If you can, try and find out why she was rejected but I know most schools in the UK at least don't provide this info. At least she got a place! Most people do years of drama school audition rounds and never get offered a place, never mind the hundreds of us who auditio for shows and never get in...it's just a business of rejection.</p>
<p>JIJane is right -- it's an unfortunate fact of the business that you will get rejected more often than you will be accepted. Very often it has little or nothing to do with your performance. Theoretical example: a tall blond actress auditions for a company (or school) that already has 5 tall blond actresses. They need a short brunette character-type of actress and a few different ethnic types. Result: tall blond actress #6 is rejected. Sounds too simple? It's not. Don't forget, schools (like casting directors) need to think about casting their season. They need a variety of looks and body types. Very often it's as simple as that.</p>
<p>Certainly the OCU summer program improved your D's chances of being accepted there. That's another fact of life in this business -- directors are much more likely to take a chance on someone they're already familiar with. That's true professionally as well as in college.</p>
<p>Of course your D is feeling disappointed, but she will need to develop a pretty thick skin if she intends to pursue theater as a career. It's not easy.</p>
<p>Over the years my daughter has auditioned for more than one part where I knew she should have gotten it - she was more talented, sang better, etc etc. I was upset. (which is why I would NEVER submit myself to the continual rejection of this career). My daughter would shake it off with a "That's the business". Realistically, I've examined the odds of getting in these programs. If she gets into even 1 of the 8 she auditions for I'm going out, buying a bottle of Dom, and dancing around the house. I won't be fretting over the 7 that didn't get her (it's a 2 way street) but rejoicing about the 1 that wanted her and recognized her. I hope your daughter can shrug off the rejection and dance around the house about the acceptance and the hefty scholarship!!! Congratulations to her....she accomplished something probably 1000's of girls didn't do. Remind her of that and hopefully she can concentrate on that success as she goes forward. It must be so wonderful to go to an audition with the peace of mind that you already are in a program. It's something I hope we experience!</p>
<p>You are all right. Thank you for taking the time to comment and put things into their proper perspective. The audition process is so stressful. I could never be in a career where you experience so much rejection.</p>
<p>Just one other thing ... In the five or so years this group has been in existence, I don't think there has been a single MT student who was accepted to every school for which he/she auditioned. It just doesn't seem to happen.</p>
<p>I wish you and your D all the best. However, as others have said, this is the reality of the life path she seems to want to walk down. Rejection is part of the scenario, it is OK - you just go on to the next audition. Regarding how the selection process happens - yes, it seems short - but professionals can, in fact, make a determination on your acting, singing, and dance skills in a very short span. That eval may not always be flawless, auditioners and auditors have bad days, off moments, etc. What is important to know is that a very short moment for an initial audition is par for the course. What else could schools that see 50 - 60 auditions a day for ten days do? This remains the same throughout a performer's life - or at least until you attain "star" status.</p>
<p>My D can totally relate to your D, because even though she knew that she was very, very lucky to be accepted into 2 programs early on, the one rejection letter still stung. As soon as she got accepted a few weeks later into her dream school, that feeling changed quite quickly into complete elation, and I am sure that something good will ultimately come out of this for your D as well - like for example help you eliminate some choices, since they can only attend one school :). </p>
<p>Like you said yourself, rejection is part of this business, but I think it is ok to be disappointed, ask yourself if you could have possibly done anything different (my D concluded she had done her best even though it was not what that particular school was looking for), and than move on. There are just so many talented kids out there that, like fishbowl said too, it would be highly unlikely to be accepted everywhere you apply/audition.</p>