<p>I’m on the opposite end: I’m a short guy (I’m about 5’8"), still growing, but I still feel like I may have been discriminated against more than once already because the majority of the girls they liked were taller, as tall or just slightly shorter than me and all the other guys they liked were at least 5’11 (“they” being auditors). I was actually chastised for my lack of height once by a casting director (she said I was “too short” to ever amount to anything in theater…please note that she was about 5’3"). All I have to say to that is: “Darren Criss, anyone? Or how about Daniel Radcliffe? Matthew Broderick?” Too short my butt.</p>
<p>But it’s still a set-back…unless it’s Franki Valli.</p>
<p>Anyway…</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. As an actor, I more than understand the crushing feeling when you discover that you “didn’t get it”, even though your audition was stellar. It sucks. I get through the rest of my day, doing what I need to do and then I get to sulk for a few hours. I go workout. I sing really loudly in the shower and annoy the snot out of my roommates, I blast “Rose’s Turn” at top volume. I watch “Glee” or “Smash” or movie musicals. Sometimes, if I can, I vent to a friend.</p>
<p>Then, either when I wake up the next morning or I tell myself “enough is enough” and I sit down at my piano and learn a new song or read a new play or learn a new monologue. I have to remind myself that I want this more than anything and that I have to keep going. Sleep usually helps. The best analogy I can use is: “when you fall off a horse, the first thing you do is get right back on and keep riding”.</p>
<p>This business is cruel and unforgiving. Most of the time, your daughter won’t get any feedback as to WHY she didn’t get the role. For now, she may have that luxury, but if she’s serious about this, she needs to realize that 99% of the time, it’s going to be a big, fat, heartless no aimed right at her.</p>