Ethan Slater reflects on a harsh early audition and lessons learned since

Ethan Slater has opened up about what he describes as the worst audition of his career.

The 33-year-old actor spoke about the moment during a recent interview on December 10 at Vassar College, where he was also honoured with the Young Alum Achievement Award.

To this day, Slater remembers that one audition where he overheard a director say, “Why did you even bring him in?” before the door had fully closed. 

At the time, Slater was 23 and said the comment left him convinced he would never work as an actor.

He later learned he was considered far too young for the role and that he now knows who was ultimately cast. 

Looking back, Slater said the experience feels different after spending time on the other side of casting conversations himself. He added that while the remark was inappropriate, it also likely was not meant as personally as it felt in the moment.

Slater has since built a successful career on stage and screen. He earned a Tony nomination for his Broadway debut in The SpongeBob Musical and recently appeared as Boq in Wicked. He has also appeared in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Gen V, and Elsbeth.

Slater is also positioning himself as a writer and recently co-wrote the play Marcel on the Train, which is set to premiere Off-Broadway in 2026, and will portray Marcel Marceau in the production.