College Auditions: It's Okay To Do What Is Right For You

My dad always made it very clear that schoolwork comes first, no matter what.  

I’m the middle child, following the footsteps of my older sister who is planning to go to medical school, and “setting an example” for my younger sister who currently has a 4.0 GPA with her 4 AP courses. Yes, I loved learning, but I was never the type of student to stay up all night to study for a test, unless I was procrastinating. 

My whole life, I have felt like I was meant to perform. Growing up as a competitive figure skater, performing in front of an audience was second nature to me. As I got older and started performing in my school musicals, I knew that I belonged on stage. By junior year, I knew that I wanted to pursue a BFA in musical theatre.

But then comes the summer of 2019 where I shattered my leg right before I was able to record my prescreen auditions. I was in a wheelchair for months and needed multiple surgeries, making auditioning for schools out of the question. I was devastated.

I wanted to take a gap year, but all of the adults in my life strongly advised me not to. So, I followed what everyone told me and committed to a state school. For a moment, I was content. I began to think that maybe everything happens for a reason and that musical theatre was not my path. 

But as the months went by and I had a lot of time to myself with COVID-19 shutting the country down, I couldn’t help but think about what my life could be. I saw all of my theatre friends excited to attend their dream schools while I wished that was me. I kept imagining my future and couldn’t picture myself doing anything else but performing. When I closed my eyes and imagined my life in 4 years, all I could see was myself getting ready for my senior showcase while pursuing a BFA in musical theatre. 

It was all I could think about.

So fast forward to the middle of my first semester of college where I started seriously considering auditioning for musical theatre programs. I kept hearing my dad’s voice in the back of my head telling me that I should pursue a degree that will get me a stable job, but I knew that not pursuing musical theatre would mean a lifetime of imagining what could have happened. I finally decided that I should do what I want to do, because it’s my life; not anyone else’s.

The transfer process was tricky, especially because I did it (and am still doing it) pretty much all alone. I didn’t have an audition coach or my parents helping me, so I had no choice but to rely on some friends to answer my questions. I had to figure out how to get my transcripts submitted from my schools, see what credits would transfer from my current college, and record my prescreen auditions, all while juggling my first semester of college with a packed schedule during a pandemic. 

I felt like a child that was thrown into a pool and told to swim. I had no idea what I was doing. 

All of my friends were at college and adjusting to their new home for the next four years while I was stressing over auditions to transfer to a school for a degree that means close to nothing to most people. 

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Yes, a career in the arts is extremely risky. You’re not guaranteed anything out of college and as an actor, you often go through years of rejection before booking a job that provides a source of income for only as long as the show runs for. By going into musical theatre, you are signing up for a career where you will likely have to work multiple other jobs just to keep up with paying rent. You will hear a thousand “no’s” before one “yes”, and sometimes for things that have nothing to do with your talent. It’s a career where you are openly being judged on a daily basis. There is very little stability, which is what people try to avoid.

But what’s the other option? I could go into business and work at a desk for the rest of my life because that would provide a little more stability. Or I could become an accountant and stare at numbers all day. There is nothing wrong with these jobs, but is it what I want to do for the rest of my life? Absolutely not. So why wouldn’t I take a chance and fight for a life that I want? Why wouldn’t I pursue a career that would bring me joy, even if it means taking a big risk?

Here’s the way I look at it: you can always go back to school. Yes, it may be difficult in the future and you may have to take out a huge loan, but school will always be there. But huge auditions and opportunities don’t come every day. The last thing I would want is to pursue a “safe” career that I hate, only to see in 30 years that all of my friends in the industry are successful while I never even tried.

Your life is your life, and you only have one shot at it.

So take risks, do what you love, and surround yourself with people who will support you along the way. 

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Kristina Yim (she/her) is from Long Island, New York and is a freshman in college currently auditioning to transfer into a BFA musical theatre program. Some of her favorite credits include: Sister Act (Sister Mary Patrick), The Little Mermaid (Music Director/Choreographer/Aquata), and Spring Awakening (Martha). Aside from musical theatre, she loves baking, writing, makeup, and playing her ukulele. Kristina hopes that her article will inspire others to follow their passion, and is always open to answer any questions about the audition process! Instagram: @kristina.yim

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