Cast yourself in the role you must play -- Value courage over confidence -- Congratulate the person who got "your" part -- It's called a "play" for a reason -- Raise your voice -- Turn your weaknesses into strengths -- Dance like everyone's watching -- Remember: The show must go on -- Don't cross your arms when the director is talking -- Take comfort that everyone is always starting over -- Realize we're each the lead of our own life -- Fake it -- Find your "I want" song -- The real work happens after opening night -- Buy something physical to remember a big win -- Figure out what kind of no it is -- Forget your résumé. Polish your reputation -- Let someone else take a bow -- Be a good scene partner -- Be extra nice to the P.A.'s -- Make stuff. Don't make fun of stuff -- Create a new family from your cast -- Go where the love is -- Recognize that life is like a musical -- Save the drama -- Stop saying you're tired -- Clap loudest for the understudies -- Give compliment sandwiches -- Follow your whims -- Recover between performances -- Recruit a friend to assess your audition outfit -- Arrive a half hour before half-hour -- Imagine your hero in the audience -- Rehearse under emergency conditions -- Write fan letters -- Be nice outside the audition room, too -- Keep a photo of the worst gig you ever had -- Don't review a show on-site -- Forgive yourself for a bad performance -- Put on a happy face -- Reconnect with your inner theater kid -- Take the note -- Live in a suitcase -- Go on "vocal rest" -- Write an aspirational Playbill bio -- Try to name all of last year's Tony winners -- Know that you're both irreplaceable and replaceable -- Screw up onstage, but keep dancing -- Find your tribe -- Life is not a dress rehearsal.
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