--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I went to an audition for a Harry…" description: "\"I went to an audition for a Harry Belafonte Roaring Twenties special for choreographer Donald McKayle, but I failed.\" — Judith Jamison" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbf/judith-jamison-11111_audition_i-went-to-an-audition-for-a-harry-belafo_678078.png" --- # I went to an audition for a Harry Belafonte Roaring… ![“I went to an audition for a Harry Belafonte Roaring Twenties special for choreographer Donald McKayle, but I failed.” quote by Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbf/judith-jamison-11111_audition_i-went-to-an-audition-for-a-harry-belafo_678078.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbf/judith-jamison-11111_audition_i-went-to-an-audition-for-a-harry-belafo_678078.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbf/judith-jamison-11111_audition_i-went-to-an-audition-for-a-harry-belafo_678078.png) > “I went to an audition for a Harry Belafonte Roaring Twenties special for choreographer Donald McKayle, but I failed.” [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A personal anecdote about a failed audition for a dance special, highlighting disappointment and resilience. **In simple terms:** Failed audition, feeling of loss. Key Takeaway Accept setbacks, keep pursuing art. Themes resilience artistic ambition failure learning perseverance Mood reflective determined Type personal narrative inspirational When to use this quote - audition - career setback - recovery - reflection Key Concepts career development dance performance personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What did you learn from this experience? - How can you turn disappointment into growth? A Different Perspective Failure can sting but also motivate future attempts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audition/) [Choreographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choreographer/) [Roaring twenties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roaring-twenties/) [Twenties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twenties/) ## Related quotes > [The way Alvin Ailey has transformed modern dance and dance in general is the fact of variety. It's a cornucopia of ways to move.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/the-way-alvin-ailey-has-transformed-modern-dance-and-dance-in-general/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [Everyone thinks of the roaring twenties and associates it with decadence and flappers, female sexual liberation, the freedom of women to express themselves, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-howle/everyone-thinks-of-the-roaring-twenties-and-associates-it-with/) [Billy Howle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-howle/) > [You know, the period of World War I and the Roaring Twenties were really just about the same as today. You worked, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cagney/you-know-the-period-of-world-war-i-and-the-roaring-twenties-were/) [James Cagney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cagney/) > [“Back during the early 1920s the Carpin brothers ran the small slapped-together oil boomtown a few miles east of Stinnett in what was little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-wier/back-during-the-early-1920s-the-carpin-brothers-ran-the-small-slapped/) [George Wier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-wier/) > [“You hear it in every political speech, “vote for me, we’ll get the dream back.” They all reiterate it in similar words—you even hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/you-hear-it-in-every-political-speech-vote-for-me-we-ll-get-the-dream/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I looked back on the roaring Twenties, with its jazz, 'Great Gatsby' and the pre-Code films as a party I had somehow managed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-hefner/i-looked-back-on-the-roaring-twenties-with-its-jazz-great-gatsby-and-2/) [Hugh Hefner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-hefner/) > [I looked back on the roaring Twenties - with its jazz, 'Great Gatsby,' and the pre-Code films - as a party I had somehow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-hefner/i-looked-back-on-the-roaring-twenties-with-its-jazz-great-gatsby-and/) [Hugh Hefner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-hefner/) > [When I was growing up in the mid-'50s, the Roaring Twenties were a huge part of the culture. There were a number of films…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-scorsese/when-i-was-growing-up-in-the-mid-50s-the-roaring-twenties-were-a-huge/) [Martin Scorsese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-scorsese/) > [There are always decades that interest people. For me, that's the Roaring Twenties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/there-are-always-decades-that-interest-people-for-me-that-s-the/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [The Roaring Twenties were the period of that Great American Prosperity which was built on shaky foundations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-roaring-twenties-were-the-period-of-that-great-american/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Girls had changed. They had liberated themselves from their corsets only to throw themselves at the tyranny of the "diet plan." They were all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-morton/girls-had-changed-they-had-liberated-themselves-from-their-corsets/) [Kate Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-morton/) > [Michael Bohn provides a rare opportunity to experience the American sporting scene in the Roaring Twenties. A constant stream of legendary characters marches across…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-golenbock/michael-bohn-provides-a-rare-opportunity-to-experience-the-american/) [Peter Golenbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-golenbock/) > [In the early years of the Roaring Twenties, American women not only won the right to vote but they also earned headlines along side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-de-varona/in-the-early-years-of-the-roaring-twenties-american-women-not-only/) [Donna de Varona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-de-varona/) > [I felt quite frankly having been raised during the depression and looking back at the roaring twenties, the jazz age, which was a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-hefner/i-felt-quite-frankly-having-been-raised-during-the-depression-and/) [Hugh Hefner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-hefner/) > [After world war all we got was a lot of conformity, and conservatism and when I was in college at the university of Illinois…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-hefner/after-world-war-all-we-got-was-a-lot-of-conformity-and-conservatism/) [Hugh Hefner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-hefner/) ## More by Judith Jamison > [I'm very smart when it comes to choosing dancers and trying to show the world that there's a whole lot of dancing going on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-m-very-smart-when-it-comes-to-choosing-dancers-and-trying-to-show/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [I believe in spirit and then I believe a manifestation of spirit is dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-believe-in-spirit-and-then-i-believe-a-manifestation-of-spirit-is/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [At 10, I could walk down the street and see over everybody's head. I don't remember being little or having to look up at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/at-10-i-could-walk-down-the-street-and-see-over-everybody-s-head-i/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [It's called the Ailey American Dance Theatre, not the Alvin Ailey African-American Dance Theatre. One thing also that Alvin wanted people to recognize, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/it-s-called-the-ailey-american-dance-theatre-not-the-alvin-ailey/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [You wake up white, and you think about certain things every day. You wake up black, and you think about certain things. You wake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/you-wake-up-white-and-you-think-about-certain-things-every-day-you/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [As a dancer, you really try to stay true to whatever the choreographer/artistic director is giving you. So, now the shoe is on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/as-a-dancer-you-really-try-to-stay-true-to-whatever-the-choreographer/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [Since babyhood, I've always evolved from one thing to another. My mother gave me ballet lessons at 6 as part of her enthusiasm for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/since-babyhood-i-ve-always-evolved-from-one-thing-to-another-my/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [I was a protege; by the age of 10, I was studying with ballet choreographer Anthony Tudor in a class of adults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-was-a-protege-by-the-age-of-10-i-was-studying-with-ballet/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [I can't really hear the audience applause when I'm on stage. I'm totally immersed in the piece. But sometimes I get a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-can-t-really-hear-the-audience-applause-when-i-m-on-stage-i-m/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [People don't remember me for how high my legs went, even though they went up very high, and how many pirouettes I did. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/people-don-t-remember-me-for-how-high-my-legs-went-even-though-they/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [It's never too early to teach your children about the tool of money. Teach them how to work for it and they learn pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/it-s-never-too-early-to-teach-your-children-about-the-tool-of-money/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [People come to see beauty, and I dance to give it to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/people-come-to-see-beauty-and-i-dance-to-give-it-to-them/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [As long as there are dancers around who love to dance, there will be an Alvin Ailey American Dance Company. We miss him so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/as-long-as-there-are-dancers-around-who-love-to-dance-there-will-be/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [I've been in a competitive situation almost all my life. I've been having a competition with myself and trying to be the best I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/i-ve-been-in-a-competitive-situation-almost-all-my-life-i-ve-been/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) > [My wonderful editor, Jackie Onassis, asked me to write a book that I wanted to write. I said, 'Look, it's not going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-jamison/my-wonderful-editor-jackie-onassis-asked-me-to-write-a-book-that-i/) [Judith Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) [Explore all 61 Judith Jamison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-jamison/) ## More Audition quotes > [My favorite performance would definitely be "Toxic," which was my blind audition song. It was the start of it all and it was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-martinez/my-favorite-performance-would-definitely-be-toxic-which-was-my-blind/) [Melanie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-martinez/) > [The first audition I went out on was because my father was on an audition for a TV show called the 'Gilmore Girls,' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pine/the-first-audition-i-went-out-on-was-because-my-father-was-on-an/) [Chris Pine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pine/) > [I have a large watch collection, and classic watches are especially important to me. I had a silver Rolex, and I actually gave it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-berkus/i-have-a-large-watch-collection-and-classic-watches-are-especially/) [Nate Berkus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-berkus/) > [It's funny, I get really nervous when I audition for voiceovers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-benz/it-s-funny-i-get-really-nervous-when-i-audition-for-voiceovers/) [Julie Benz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-benz/) > [When I was six years old my friend was auditioning for 'Annie,' and I decided I wanted to audition with her. My mom was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-emerson/when-i-was-six-years-old-my-friend-was-auditioning-for-annie-and-i/) [Jacqueline Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-emerson/) > [I believe this: If an actor wants a role or wants to work with somebody, then you do everything within reason to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/i-believe-this-if-an-actor-wants-a-role-or-wants-to-work-with/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [ If they \[at the audition\] don't like the way you sound they won't buy you anyway, ripped dress or no ripped dress, ass hanging… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-midler/if-they-at-the-audition-don-t-like-the-way-you-sound-they-won-t-buy/) [Bette Midler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-midler/) > [In L.A., I'm twice the size - height and everything else - of most of the other actresses who are going for an audition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keira-knightley/in-l-a-i-m-twice-the-size-height-and-everything-else-of-most-of-the/) [Keira Knightley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keira-knightley/) > [I didn't audition or anything like that. But I went into John Loganhis office... It was his screening room in his office, actually, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-spiner/i-didn-t-audition-or-anything-like-that-but-i-went-into-john-loganhis/) [Brent Spiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-spiner/) > [In films, I didn't crave the type of attention I had sort of stumbled into in my music career. And I do not audition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-timberlake/in-films-i-didn-t-crave-the-type-of-attention-i-had-sort-of-stumbled/) [Justin Timberlake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-timberlake/) > [When I was 8, my dad asked me if I wanted to audition, just for fun. I did just a little short film, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kodi-smit-mcphee/when-i-was-8-my-dad-asked-me-if-i-wanted-to-audition-just-for-fun-i/) [Kodi Smit-McPhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kodi-smit-mcphee/) > [When I was younger, I did my first audition at 'Eurovision.' I was about 17. 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