Energy Vampires at Auditions

Have you ever encountered vampires at your auditions?  No, I'm not talking about the hot Twilight kind.  I'm talking about the ones that talk loudly about everything they've done and suck the life out of everyone in the room.  By the time you go in for your audition, your life force has been drained right out of you.

That's their modus operandi, after all.  They do it to make themselves feel superior.  Really it's just a mask for their own insecurities but if you're not careful, it can get to you. 

So what's an actor to do?  Wear garlic around your neck?  Nah, I don't think that would get you cast in much, not to mention it wouldn't guard against them. 

Here are my top ways to avoid the life force drain of energy vampires:

1.  Escape - find a quiet place away from the crowd where you can go over your lines, do some deep breathing, prayer or meditation exercises and get yourself mentally prepared. 

2.  Listen - to music, that is.  If you can't find a way to get away from energy vampires, then put in your headphones and chill out.  Listen to your favorite music on your iPod.  Create a playlist specifically for preparing for auditions.   

3.  Converse - a great way to tune out energy vampires is by having conversations with others in the room that are being subjected to them.  Keep it light and friendly.  If they start to turn vampire on you, then exit the conversation and employ suggestions 1 or 2. 

Don't give vampires the power to suck your goodness out of you.  Do whatever it takes to tune them out and tune into giving your best performance.

(un)discovered alison