The ARC of Auditioning is a new monthly column offering behind-the-scenes insight from a seasoned casting director working across Broadway, national tours, UK’s The West End and commercial platforms. With practical wisdom and candid reflection, casting director Duncan Steward will bridge the gap between classical/conservatory training and the real-world audition process—guiding performers through the real mechanics, psychology and artistry of auditioning.
Everyone talks about confidence (in the room, in the industry, in the world) and sure, that’s important—but too often, people slap on confidence like a Band-Aid over a surface wound. It’s temporary, often shallow and doesn’t always get to the root of things. So, I pose the question: What if, instead of focusing on confidence in the audition room, we focused on a sense of worth?
Sure, confidence can get you through an audition. You can brave it, you can “push through” but afterwards you might find yourself spiraling—wondering how it went, analyzing the panel’s expressions, replaying things you overheard in the hallway. Now, imagine walking into an audition with a true sense of worth – singing, dancing, or acting not for the validation of others, but for something deeper. You walk in, present your artistry, and then walk out knowing that your identity isn’t up for adjudication. You don’t crumble if you’re redirected. You don’t unravel if someone looks down at their iPhone during your 16 bars. You don’t hinge your day (or your sense of value) on what happens in those five minutes. Why? Because self-worth reminds you that your life is larger than any audition room.
It may sound simple, but a mindset like this takes time to build and internalize (“I’m not just an actor today. I’m a person with a cat who needs feeding, a garden that’s beginning to bloom, a partner who loves me, a best friend who texts me ridiculous memes.”) but with commitment to this kind of perspective, self-worth starts to walk in and out of the room with you. It won’t vanish if you flub the high note, or if someone on the panel gives you a polite “thank you” with no callback.
After seeing thousands of auditions, I can easily spot the confident ones (strong slates, bold choices, a little over-rehearsed) but the performers who truly move the room carry something quieter and more powerful: a belief that doesn’t shout but breathes.
Confidence might get you in the room, but self-worth is what keeps you going.
PS: Should you have any questions, thoughts, or topics you’d like to see explored in future columns, feel free to email us at info@csmusic.net. We’d love to hear from you.
