When I started acting again after my break, one of the biggest mindset shifts I had to make was treating callbacks like a second first impression. Getting a callback means you’re doing something right, but it doesn’t guarantee the role. It’s a chance to dig deeper and show casting that you’re the one. If you’re auditioning for film, theater, or commercials in Texas, here’s how I approach every callback with purpose.
What Callbacks Are Really About
A callback is an invitation to explore. Casting directors might want to see if you take direction well, if your choices evolve, or if you can deliver consistency. In Texas especially, callbacks can feel less formal than in LA or NYC, but don’t let the relaxed vibe fool you. This is still the job interview.
They may also be checking for chemistry between actors, especially for theater roles or two-person scenes in commercials. In one callback for a local stage production, I was asked to cold-read a brand-new monologue with a complete stranger. We clicked, and I booked it.
My Callback Prep Routine
- Review, don’t rehearse. I go over my original choices but leave space to adapt. If the director asks for a different emotion or energy, I want to be flexible, not stuck.
- Watch your wardrobe. I wear something similar to what I had on for the initial audition. It helps jog their memory. Don’t show up in a completely different look unless instructed.
- Warm up. Even if it’s a short scene, I do vocal and physical warmups. You never know when they’ll ask you to try something bigger or more physical.
- Check your mindset. I treat callbacks like collaboration, not competition. They’re seeing what it’s like to work with me, not just watch me perform.
A Quick Story
Once, I showed up to a callback for a TV pilot filming in Austin. I had done the first audition via self-tape. The callback was in person. I was nervous, but I reminded myself: they already like me. That helped me relax and connect. I didn’t get the role, but I made a great impression and was called in by that casting office again later for a different project. Relationships matter.
Don’t put so much pressure on callbacks that you forget to have fun. Be curious, open, and professional. Whether you’re just starting or returning like I did, callbacks are a huge sign of progress.
What’s your biggest fear or challenge during callbacks? Let’s talk about it in the comments! And if you’ve found this helpful, please share it with another actor navigating the Texas scene.