Fated for Failure :

I chose to go to school for acting despite my theater career consisting of nothing more than a long string of rejections. College was supposed to be when I turned things around, but I'm nearing the end of my second year and I've only been cast in one show. I feel like college isn't what I'd hoped, and I barely have time to take advantage of opportunities in NYC. If I can't succeed now, how will I survive in the real world? It's too late and I'm too stubborn to change paths, but I'm starting to think I'm blowing my parents' money for a destiny of poverty and heartache.

-

Dear Fated Failure,

I’m not enjoying calling you “Fated Failure” as it feels like a terrible self-proclaimed curse over your life. But the fear of failure is a feeling myself and so many other artists, actors, and people feel in various moments of life. What was it you thought you would get to undo by the second year of school? A sense of risk? All artists face this in their career and path—The risk of failure. To me, some clarity on what failure means to you needs to be established.

Would getting cast in more shows in acting school guarantee a level of success? I know many actors who were cast in the “best” roles but didn’t go on to have a career that reflects the same amount or level of casting frequency. Okay, so no guarantee there. Is there something about school (whether collegiate or conservatory) that is supposed to guarantee success? Nope.

But how do YOU define success? Is it a financial return? Is it the amount of people who want to work with you? Is it how you feel about the work you do? Get very specific on that. If success is a certain financial status, first of all, acting is one of the most financially unstable, inconsistent, and highly competitive freelance jobs you can choose. Even the best actors do not bet their entire financial future on an acting career. There are many avenues to create financial stability.

If you aren’t getting cast as much as you would like, do you agree with that? Are you advocating for yourself and asking your instructors about what you can work on to get more performance time? Or, sadly, are there any systems of oppression within the training experience you’re in that may be limiting your access? Which can also be found in the professional world, if not more so?

Also, you are currently in an acting school training. That is a type of success in and of itself. The pursuit of your ideal, where you are growing more and more. Now, if the growth in the craft is not fulfilling enough, you may need to ask yourself if this path is fulfilling for you. Or, is the environment you’re in and how you’re relating to it not supporting you towards your fullest potential and definition of success.

You have agency! (sorry to yell) You get to choose how far you can go, grow, and your potential to succeed. If you’re feeling fated for failure, then there are some pivots internally and externally that can happen. Who would you be if your new name was Fated to Succeed? Truly ask that question, write down what you believe and know that to be. Next, apply those qualities every single day and call yourself by your new name.

Cheering you on,

-Fefu

‍

--

This Fefu is a Tony Award-nominated performer and artistic leader who has trained (and graduated, thank goodness!) from elite programs across oceans.

‍