Theatre acting motivation strateges.?

It sounds like a wonderful opportunity. You seem to think it's a problem!

If you don't like the play - remember, not everyone dislikes it, or it wouldn't have been chosen.

If you don't think your character is likeable - what difference does that make? Many of the best roles in the world's plays, moves and TV shows are 'not likeable'! No real actor would be concerned that his character wasn't likeable!

So you have the challenge of learning a new accent - great! During her time doing rep theatre, my daughter had to learn 15 different accents - they look great on her CV and she really enjoys such challenges. So should you!

So your fellow cast members have no or little experience - great! This is a chance to help them improve, learn all the skills you've been learning during your training and in your experience. If you give a great performance, in rehearsals and when it goes live, those new actors will learn what a good actor is. You'll be doing them a great service. (Although, of course, don't tell them that!)

So look at this from the opposite point of view! You'll be a lot happier and should enjoy this experience very much.

Good luck!

Sorry, but I'm not understanding what you need to "cope" with.

It should be an interesting challenge to play an unlikable character-how do help the audience (and yourself) connect with the character rather then just be a stereotypical "bad guy". You get to work on a new skill - an accent. You cope by researching the script and character, using your training and experience and portraying a well-rounded character. You talk with the director to explore and learn new techniques to do this. In a way, you're just as inexperienced as the rest of the class if this is new to you. You cope by working had and doing your best.

Probably the best way to cope is to review your attitude and approach to acting. Are you in acting mainly for praise and attention or are you interested in the craft and exploring characters and storytelling? Do you have a sense of entitlement that you may need to overcome? You can't control others, but you can control yourself and good actors understand themselves.