Leggo my Ego!

I have a what is commonly called a "Big Ego".  I have to admit that.  "Hello my name is John, and I have a swelled head ego."  It's true.  Everyone can see it.  Can't deny it.  Done.

On the other hand, I have never stormed out of a show, nor caused others to storm out of a show because I didn't get the part I wanted, even when "I am CLEARLY the best choice for the role.  That director has his/her head up their butt.  It's unfair.  It's all because..." pick you own next line.  Casting (and acting in general) isn't always fair.  Great actors sometimes get overlooked for roles.  Rotten actors sometimes get roles.  Sometimes the right actor gets just the right role at the right time, then breaks their leg.  We all think we know best.  Lots of actors and their buddies get together after auditions and predict the cast (and then choose their perfect cast) afterwards over coffee, sodas, or adult beverages.  It's a time honored tradition.

The problem arises when we, as actors forget that the director IS IN CHARGE.  We forget that they must choose not only on acting ability, but who looks good together, blends voices well together, looks the right age or archetype.  Sometimes it's about non-acting issues.  Sometimes, yeah, it's because the actor knows a guy that knows a guy that knows the director.  It happens.  It's real.  It's part of the gig.

Sometimes we choose to step aside if we aren't offered a role that is worth the commitment in time and energy.  Okay, but remember-

Acting is rejection.  That's a quote from someone...I wonder who I heard it from.  Hmm.  But it's true.  If you are going to be an actor, you will experience rejection.  It is how you handle that rejection that partly defines you as a performer.  You have some choices:

1. Take it like a pro and accept either what was given or gracefully move on if nothing was offered.
2. Take it like a pro and walk away from an offered role you don't feel right for, again, gracefully.
3. Take it on the chin and let it knock you out, depressing you for days, and making you doubt performing at all.
4. Take it like a child and yell and scream and throw a fit for all the world to see so that everybody feels your pain with you.
5. Involve your friends in #4.
6. Make accusations of favoritism, casting couch, bribery, or other skulduggery based on no more evidence than your bruised ego.
7. Do like several now ex-actors have done in the past and try to sabotage the show somehow, through negative publicity or comments, or actual physical sabotage.
8. Physical harm to casting directors or directors or the guy that got the part.

Which of these choices are yours?  How do you wish to be remembered the next time auditions come around?  What price reputation?  How fragile your ego?