What I Learned about Human Nature at my Audition for a Commercial

When most people think of improv, the TV show Who’s Line is it Anyway usually comes to mind.

I’d seen the show a few times and never envisioned myself taking an improv class. But, for the past few years I’ve taken several classes and I’ve had a blast. It’s also given me the chance to hang around some people who don’t embrace Christ as I do.

Last year my teacher got me an audition as a pastor in the re-make of Nightmare on Elm Street. I didn’t get the part, but since then I’ve auditioned a few times for regional commercials. The roles I’ve played have ranged from a looking like a medical doctor to pretending I was a 50 year old former professional football player…who danced (I am not lying).

Recently I got a callback for a commercial.

That day the casting agency office was crammed with auditioners. I sat in the waiting room facing the entrance door so I was able to see every actor who came in.

Here’s what I noticed. Every person who walked through the door quickly scanned the faces of every other actor in the room (as did I). What were we doing?

Comparing. We were subconsciously comparing ourselves with the others who were competing for the same spots.

Although I’m no mindreader, I imagine these questions surfaced.

• Are these guys more handsome than me?
• Am I prettier than the rest of the women?
• I wonder how much experience he has compared to me?
• Am I dressed as well as the rest?
• etc, etc.

My short stay in the waiting room of a casting agency reminded me that we naturally tend to compare ourselves with others in most areas of life.

When that happens, two things can occur.

We become proud of our accomplishments, looks, and experience because we think we are better than others.

Or, we berate ourselves for not measuring up to the rest of the crowd.

I went away from this audition with a fresh reminder and desire to follow God’s reminder to Samuel when he was looking for Israel’s new king.

1Sam. 16.7 (MESSAGE) …GOD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart.