Is it sometimes difficult to audition because you feel too embarrassed or shameful?
Shame is such a painful feeling, so today’s training may be a little uncomfortable. It’s just that this is a subject that I'm very passionate about, so I am happy to share my thoughts with you.
As an actor, it can feel like there is always a microscope on you. When you focus on that awkward experience, it can be so easy to come up with things to feel “less than” about, like:
how your body looks or doesn't look
your facial features
your finances
your credits or lack of credits
the type of credits you have
reaching out to find an agent after you lost representation
reaching out to find an agent when you’ve never been repped before
ANY networking scenario
forgetting a line or being underprepared
being so over prepared that everything feels fake or forced
not being able to take direction
asking questions
not booking
booking but feeling like an imposter
feeling like you need to be more like other actors
feeling like you’re too much like all the other actors
Do you see where I’m going with this? Shame is “humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.” So, you can feel shame about anything you do, regardless of whether it’s generally considered positive or negative; shame is sneaky like that.
So, here is this shame about just being who you are, or about feeling like you’re missing something: You need to fix something. You don't have whatever it is that you need to have, and so you're ashamed of yourself. And you carry that into the audition room with you.
Even if you’ve really worked on the character and you’re fully alive in the moment, maybe there is a choice that you have that is close to your heart that you want to defend. But then you worry, “What if it's not what they're looking for? I'll look stupid.” And the idea of feeling that shame is so big and painful, you kind of just drop your choice at the last minute.
Shame can trick you into thinking your instinct is dead (I told you it was sneaky!), but it’s not gone forever.
Your instinct is bulletproof, and you can muscle it back to strength.
When you watch my free training, you’ll discover…
First, the good news: Shame is not an emotion, it’s a learned behavior.
It is not your fault that you learned it either; it’s a by-product of our culture. There is no right or wrong, good or bad way to be a human being. And acting is the art of being alive, after all, so you can’t screw that up either. (sigh of relief!)
If shame is learned, it’s possible to un-learn it too.
On the other side of shame is intense pride in yourself and your authentic sensations and emotions. This is what you were put here on this planet to remind people - actors remind us of our beautiful humanity.
I do not have the ability to give you back your power. Only you can reclaim it for yourself.
Watch the training below now, and take your first steps. There is a thirsty population out there waiting to be reminded of what the human experience actually looks and feels like.
After you watch the training, I want to know how many times you have felt shame in the last month, and what have you done about it? Post your answers in our private Facebook Group, and let’s go from there.
If you’re not already a member, be sure to request to join ASAP.
See you there!
Jo Kelly
Creator, The Reset Journey From Resistance to Freedom
P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help you:
Join my free Facebook Group, THE INSTINCTIVE ACTORS’ SOCIETY, exclusively for actors who are ready to go from good to great and become undeniable. REQUEST TO JOIN: facebook.com/groups/instinctiveactorssociety
Get on the waitlist for my course, The Reset Journey From Resistance to Freedom, and stop struggling to access your natural, authentic talent in the audition room or on set. You’ll learn how to reset your instrument to be 100% instinctive and free in just 33 days. GET ON WAITLIST: tobeornottoact.com/waitlist