“There’s no such thing as a bad audition” (performing arts adage)

“There is no such thing as a bad audition” is an adage popular with actors, musicians and other performing artists. If an audition doesn’t go well, it’s a learning experience. The directors holding auditions often aren’t sure what they want; a seemingly “bad” audition can still result in a callback. The more a performer auditions, the more people know about that performer.
 
“To some extent, there’s no such thing as a bad audition” was cited in print in 2003. Authorship of the adage is unknown.
 
 
Frequently Asked Questions of Acting and Song Performance Coach John Michael Ferrari
And remember, there’s no such thing as a bad audition ... only learning experiences.
 
Google Books
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Singing
By Phyllis Fulford and Michael Miller
Indianapolis, IN: Alpha
2003
Pg. 219:
To some extent, there’s no such thing as a bad audition. Any audition can lead to a paying job; even if you don’t win the audition, you might end up high on somebody’s list for a future gig. To that end, you should search out as many auditions as you can find. If nothing else, an audition is great practice for performing in front of other people!
         
Voice Acting Alliance Forums
MDLuffy09
03-07-2009, 07:24 PM
Well… try your best. There is no such thing as a bad audition! 😊
 
Twitter
FuseCreativeNetwork
‏@FuseNetworkUK
@NathanCrossAct yup, know what u mean, but once they start producing they don’t stop. They will remember u. No such thing as a bad audition!
3:58 PM - 24 Sep 2012
 
Washington Parent (Bethesda, MD)
August 2012
Audition Tips for Kids
By Rachel Nussbaum
(...)
No matter how much young actors prepare, auditions are a generally stressful experience for all, and constant judgment can take a toll on self-esteem. However, many actors say that failure is just part of the process, and they’ve learned to embrace it.
 
“I believe that there is no such thing as a ‘bad’ audition,” says MacPhee. “It’s all an experience.”
 
Twitter
Joy Grace
‏@MissJoyOfficial
I had to remind one of my theatrical youngers that there’s no such thing as a bad audition. He’s a great lil actor with great potential.
8:10 PM - 21 Mar 2013
 
Twitter
danielle Eskinazi
‏@DanielleCasting
no such thing as a bad audition..it’s a learning lesson. sometimes what u think is a bad aud is a callback. I’ve seen it happen.
11:06 AM - 3 Apr 2013
 
Twitter
Linda Odetto
‏@urkillinmedolly
@DanielleCasting there is no such thing as a bad audition. No one knows what they’re looking for. They don’t know what they’re looking for.
10:46 AM - 20 Jan 2015
 
The Times (Shreveport, LA)
‘Game of Thrones’ actor DJs at Phoenix Underground
Tiana Kennell 5:38 p.m. CST February 11, 2015
(...)
Before GoT, Nairn tried breaking into acting several years ago by auditioning for the movie “Hot Fuzz.” He didn’t get the part, but there was a silver lining.
 
“I didn’t get the part as it was, but as fate would have it,” Nairn said. “It was the same casting director for GoT, and I literally got a callback years later for the part of ‘Hodor!’ Kinda proves the old adage that there is no such thing as a bad audition.”