The Project That Will Never Be: My Cancelled Shakespeare Film

Look at me, so excited for the rehearsal :)

One of the most frustrating things that actors must get used to is the falling-through of projects or roles. You can work so hard for the part, put in lots of time to learn the lines, get your analysis down, really connect with the character, and still the project could end up at a dead end.

Earlier this year, this very thing happened to me.

At the end of 2021, I had been cast as Bianca in a film-adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Since I’d never had the opportunity to take part in a Shakespeare play (I’d studied Shakespeare in my acting classes but that’s not the same!) I was incredibly excited for the role and couldn’t wait to tackle it. Not only that, but the director was great to work with and very professional as well. Unfortunately, in late January 2022, the project was abruptly cancelled due to personal reasons of the person orchestrating it all. When I got that email, I was extremely disappointed.

What is there to do now?

At first, it feels like all that work was for nothing. Thankfully, however, I was able to check in with myself and realize that, even if it didn’t result in an end-product, that work was incredibly important for my growth as an actor, especially when it comes to Shakespeare. I was able to devote time in those two months to learning how to understand and analyze Shakespeare, and to prepare for a Shakespearean role. That was valuable. And, even if I can’t put it on my resume since nothing came of it, I still know that I am just that bit better as a result of the work I put in.

Growth in art is incremental. Sometimes, those increments are so small that it’s hard to even see them in the moment, but that doesn’t make those steps any less important.

(But also, fingers crossed it doesn’t happen again any time soon!)

Xx Selma