At times, succeeding as an artist can feel like scaling a mountain with no clear summit. Whether you’re just starting out or have been at this for decades, the challenges facing all creatives are relentless, and the odds aren’t exactly in your favor. From stage to screen, we all faces obstacles, and understanding these hurdles can make the difference between staying stuck or finding your path forward. Here are 10 reasons, in no particular order, why some people don’t “make it” and how you can avoid becoming one of them.
Lack of Connections
The hard truth? This industry runs on relationships. If no one knows you, it’s not because the universe is unfair—it’s because you haven’t made yourself known. People want to work with people they trust, and trust is built over time. Attend industry mixers, join workshops, and follow up with people after auditions or gigs. The myth of being “discovered” is just that—a myth. Whether you’re trying to break in or expand your reach after years in the business, start treating networking as part of your job.
If you keep getting called in for the same kind of roles, that’s not necessarily a compliment—it’s a box. Casting directors and producers love a “safe choice,” and they’ll put you in one if you let them. Break out by surprising people. Learn new skills, take roles outside your wheelhouse, or create your own project to showcase your range. When you take control of your narrative, you stop waiting for someone else to change their mind about you.
Burnout
This business is exhausting—mentally, physically, and emotionally. If you’re tired all the time, it’s not because you’re weak; it’s because this career requires more from you than most jobs. Add on the frequent rejection, looking for survival jobs, and maintaining side hustles, and burnout can hit anyone. You need to set boundaries for yourself. Don’t take every job offer or audition out of desperation. Learn to say ‘no’ to projects that don’t serve you, and find ways to recharge that have nothing to do with your career. If you think you’ll somehow earn a break once you’ve made it, think again.
Financial Instability
Showbiz doesn’t pay until it does, and even then, it can be wildly inconsistent. Whether you’re struggling to fund your first headshots or trying to keep up with union dues after years in the business, financial stress can pull you under. If you can’t pay your bills, it doesn’t matter how talented you are—you’re going to be stressed out and less productive. Treat your finances like an audition: plan ahead, stay sharp, and always have a backup. Find survival jobs that offer flexibility, save when you can, and cut out unnecessary expenses (which is definitely the hardest one to do). I know this isn’t glamorous advice, but success requires staying in the game long enough to reap the rewards.
Limited Geographic Options
This isn’t just about living in New York or Los Angeles anymore. Yes, being near a major market matters, but with self-tapes and remote opportunities, the rules are shifting. Still, if you’re not where the work is, you’re relying on mere wishes to get noticed. Use self-tapes to your advantage—learn to make them professional, engaging, and unforgettable. If moving isn’t an option, dominate your local scene, but understand this: if you want to further your career in bigger markets, then at some point you’ll need to go where the opportunities are, or you’ll need to create opportunities that come to you.
Cultural Bias or Prejudice
Whether you’re just starting out or have been working for years, bias can feel like a wall you can’t climb. The industry has made strides, but it’s not perfect, and there are ignorant people who still make judgements based on race, gender, sexuality, age, or body type. Here’s where you have to be both realistic and relentless. Don’t take such setbacks too personally and let them inhibit your ambitions, but rather advocate for yourself, seek out creators who do value you, and constantly push for change. Every success you achieve chips away at the barriers for others behind you.
Inconsistent Work Ethic
Theater, film, and television aren’t hobbies—they’re industries. If you’re not reliable, prepared, and professional, it doesn’t matter how much potential you have. Talent alone doesn’t cut it; this business rewards people who show up and do the work. If you’re constantly late, unprepared, or overly sensitive to feedback, people will stop calling. Treat every audition and job like it’s your last chance to impress, because one day, it might be. This applies to everyone, from first-timers to seasoned pros who think their resume entitles them to slack off.
Lack of Resilience
Rejection isn’t just a rite of passage—it’s a constant. If you let every “no” chip away at you, you’ll break long before you succeed. Resilience isn’t about pretending it doesn’t hurt; it’s about moving forward anyway. Focus on what you can control: your preparation, your attitude, and your ability to learn from each experience. Celebrate small wins, surround yourself with people who remind you why you started, and keep showing up. The performers who make it aren’t the ones who avoid rejection—they’re the ones who refuse to let it stop them.
Shifting Trends
What’s popular changes fast. Today’s breakout star might not fit tomorrow’s trend, and yesterday’s hot ticket can suddenly seem outdated. If you’re not paying attention, you’ll get left behind. Whether it’s adapting to new platforms like TikTok or embracing self-taping, you need to evolve. This isn’t about “selling out” or chasing trends—it’s about staying relevant. Learn new skills, explore different styles, and keep up with what’s happening in the industry. If you’re clinging to what worked five or ten years ago, you’re going to fade into the background.
Luck
Finally, there are those chance twists of fate you can’t control. Sometimes it really is about being in the right place at the right time. But here’s the thing: luck doesn’t work without preparation. If you’re ready when the opportunity comes, you’ll make the most of it. If you’re not, then it will likely pass you by. Don’t get resentful about luck—get ready for it. Say yes to smaller opportunities, meet as many people as you can, and always bring your best to the table. The next door you walk through, as small as it may seem, might be the one that changes everything.
Making it in this business doesn’t look the same for everyone. For one person, it’s landing a role on Broadway, while for others, it’s making a steady living in regional theater or building a following through YouTube. Success can come in many forms and often when you least expect it. Take Lin-Manuel Miranda, for instance—he didn’t “make it” overnight. He spent years developing In the Heights before Hamilton ever existed, and prior to that he was bullied in high school and even shared the stage with “the dude that scares the shit out of all my friends,” according to Miranda on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast. Ricky Gervais is another example, who didn’t hit it big till he was 40 years old and created The Office. Also keep in mind that your version of success will change as your career evolves, so don’t get stuck in a rut and end up chasing someone else’s dream—forge your own unique path. And remember, the only way to fail is to give up before you’ve actually figured out what “making it” really means to you.
Patrick Oliver Jones has been in the performing arts on stage and screen for more than 30 years. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama he brought his Southern charm and hospitality to New York City, where credits include off-Broadway world premieres and classic musicals. He was in the original casts of First Wives Club in Chicago and two North American tours The Addams Family and Evita. He’s currently on the road with the Beetlejuice North American Tour as Otho. In regional theater, Patrick has been recognized with acting nominations for such roles as Bruce in Fun Home (Henry Award) and Bela Zangler in Crazy for You (SALT Award). On camera there have been numerous national commercial appearances (including voiceover work) as well as co-starring roles on primetime television dramas like Blue Bloods and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. As a producer, Patrick has three shows on the Broadway Podcast Network: Why I’ll Never Make It now in its eighth season, a theater history podcast Closing Night, and The Spotlight Series focusing on those making a difference in the arts and beyond. In 2022 and 2024 he received Communicator Awards of Distinction and Excellence from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts for his work in podcasting. His producing efforts also include stage works at various off-Broadway spaces, theater festivals, and concert venues in New York City.
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