How to Deal with Casting Disappointment
You’ve been working for days, months, even years for the coveted role in your upcoming production. You’ve put in the extra time and effort, practicing every spare minute. You feel confident that this is your year.
After waiting what seems like eons for casting to come out, you finally get the notification you’ve been waiting for. You anxiously open the email, scan the cast list…and a huge wave of disappointment washes over you as you see someone else’s name next to your dream role.
So what now?
First, remember: there are only three things certain in life...death, taxes, and casting disappointment.
Okay, maybe that's not exactly how the saying goes, but if you've been dancing long enough you know it's true. And the fact that it’s inevitable doesn't make it any easier.
Before you start to spiral into a negative place of self-doubt, do these three things:
Take a deep breath.
Okay, maybe a few deep breaths. Take a few hours (or days) to sit with the disappointment. Realize that it’s OK (and normal!) to feel upset. Let yourself feel the feelings before trying to immediately push past them.
Remember the big picture
As a dancer casting feels SO personal. But the reality could not be farther from the truth. Company Directors are looking at the big picture. They have to place dancers in the best roles for the entire possible production. Remembering that casting is done with the greater good in mind can help to take some of the personal sting out of it.
Focus on what you can control
As a dancer, you cannot control what roles you are cast in. What you can control is how you respond to casting. You can control your mindset and the level of effort you put into the role you were given. You can control how you choose to work moving forward to become a stronger dancer. By focusing on what you can control, you can accept this performance for what it is and still find ways to make it a positive experience.
Hopefully, you are now feeling a little bit better about the situation! Now, how can you take this experience and turn it into a positive moving forward? The best way to get valuable feedback is by going straight to the source: your Director.
So many dancers are scared to talk to their Director about casting. They don't want to appear ungrateful or self-centered. But it is possible to bring up the issue in a productive way. Here’s how:
Sleep on it
I get it…you want answers and you want them now. But reacting impulsively when you’re frustrated or upset rarely leads to a productive conversation. Utilize the 24-hour rule…take at least 24 hours to cool down and think it through before saying anything. By taking time to gather your thoughts, you can approach the conversation proactively with a fresh perspective.
Schedule a time to talk
All too often a dancer will bombard their teacher with questions right after class is over or in the hallway between classes. Remember - your Director is human too. They care deeply about you, but they also have families and priorities of their own that they may not be able to drop on a whim.
To show your Director that you respect their time, try this: “I would love to get your input about what I can do to improve as a dancer. When would a good time be for you to talk?”
Not only do you ensure you have their undivided attention when you meet, you also allow them to gather their thoughts and deliver considerate and deliberate feedback.
Show you have a growth mindset
Now that you have set a time to talk, remember the purpose of this meeting. Casting is done. You are not going into this scenario trying to change your director’s mind or get a “better” part. You are simply trying to learn how you can improve for the future.
Try this conversation starter: “I am so grateful for the opportunity to dance [insert role] in [insert performance name]. I had been working toward the goal of dancing [insert desired role]. I would love your input…what do I need to work on to be ready to dance a lead role in the future?”
This approach demonstrates that you are grateful for the opportunity to perform AND are motivated to continue improving. Win-win!
Take initiative
If you are truly serious about gaining the necessary skills to reach your performance goals, inquire about understudy opportunities! Understudying will help you grow as a dancer, even if you never perform the role on stage. Being a great understudy requires A LOT of extra time and effort on your part. However, if you are truly serious about becoming a stronger dancer, it is so worth it.
A final thought: Every single role I have performed has taught me something valuable, even if I couldn’t see it at the time. Remember that this part might not be the one you wanted, but it’s exactly what you need right now. Embrace this opportunity to perform and grow as a dancer…you never know where it might lead you!
Meet the Author
Caitlin Sloan is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI.
Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri.
She danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). Caitlin has taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She is currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.
Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. Follow @thebrainyballerina on Instagram for your daily dose of dance career guidance and inspiration.
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