I Control My Attitude and Success

Dear Carey,

Thank you so much for all you do. I really appreciate the opportunity I had to experience AMTC this summer. My decision to do AMTC took me on quite a journey.

It all started last summer when I heard an advertisement on the radio. When I heard it initially I did not think too much about it because at the time I believed I would be out of town during the auditions. As it turned out though, I was in town and the night before I got online and looked at what I would need to bring. I went the next morning, I not know what to expect, but I realized I did not have anything to lose by simply auditioning. It was a long day, and I remember standing in line waiting to be called in for the auditions. It was not difficult, but I had no idea whether I did okay or not, until the next day when I received a callback. At that point I had a decision to make, and I decided to tell my dad about the callback.

Sunday afternoon we showed up for the callbacks, and I remember Lesley Collis talking about the wonderful opportunity AMTC was, what high standards they held of their performers, and the unique experience it would be. It felt like something I wanted to be a part of; that was just the first part of the callback. The second room was where you actually signed up. I was pretty nervous. I hadn’t given it a tremendous amount of thought up until the day before of even considering doing the whole program… I didn’t really even have a consistent job at that point, I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to pay for it. All I knew was that I wanted to do it and I would.

The following week I applied at about 6 different jobs down the road from my house. I received a callback from one of them and that was the start of my 4 month career in the restaurant business. I was working about 25 to 30 hours a week smiling and opening doors for people. It was great hands-on acting training. When they cut my hours at on of my two hostessing jobs, I decided I needed to look for more work. That same week I found the position online that would drastically change my perspective on making money and paying for things I wanted to do. I started doing in-home demonstrations and selling kitchen knives. I started selling in October and finally quit my other jobs in December and took on the knives full-time.

The next six months went by like an emotional roller coaster. All I knew was that I had signed my name, and I was committed… no matter what. I grew so much as a person and began to realize that I could not really prepare any more thoroughly for AMTC than selling kitchen cutlery to Mrs. Jones. Every phone call, every demo, every “no” was preparing me for my future career as an actress. It was so interesting to finally arrive at AMTC and already have the perspective of the numbers game – the more auditions the more jobs. I had lived for 9 months auditioning, realizing some people will always say yes, some people will always say no, and the others are waiting for you to be prepared and prove to them why they should say yes.

The whole AMTC process consumed a great deal of my attention over the past 11 months, but every time I went to see Mrs. Jones, I told her how much it meant to me to be able to meet with her because by doing so I was paying my way to audition in Orlando in front of casting directors, agents, and managers from all across the United States and around the world. It was an awesome feeling to have met my goal every month. I also had the flexible schedule to be able to go to workshops in Atlanta and the weekend trainings.

Just like every demo though, and like every audition from here on out, I can do my very best and do a great job, but at the end of the day, I still do not control whether they buy my knives or cast me as the role. All I control though is my attitude going in and coming out of the interview. Every time I have a choice to be a success or a failure, but I get to decide and learn from every opportunity.

I could not have predicted a year ago where I would be today, but I do not regret my decision to commit to doing AMTC, and I am extremely grateful for the experience. I am eagerly anticipating the results of the seeds that were planted in Orlando and all along the way. The adventure has truly just begun.

Thank you again for your support and your kindness in helping each AMTC participant achieve their dreams. I know I am a different person because of your efforts, and I appreciate the changes very much.

Best,
Abby Cox