Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/01/10 23:26I recently had an audition for a local production of AIDA and it was highly competitive. About 150 kids showed up for only 40 roles, including the leads, and it was very nerve wracking. The day after auditions they had callbacks, but they STILL haven't posted the cast list and say the earliest they will post it is Sunday. This from a company that usually posts a cast list the day after the callbacks...
I guess my question is what could be taking so long? Obviously I've never cast a show, so I don't know what goes into it - but it's already been about a week and a half and we're still waiting for results. A lot of us are extremely anxious and nervous, so some are handling it better than others. What would make the casting process take so long?
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Christine_wannabe
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/01/11 00:37You did say about 150 people auditioned and they could be on the fence still about who to cast as a lead role. I so know how you feel it can be very nerve racking to wait for the cast list!!!! Try not to worry about it too much, just remember you already auditioned and the rest is out of your hands. It is all up to the director and the producer now.Favorite Shows: POTO, Wicked, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, BATB, Music Man and more!
Currently in: R&H's Cinderella as a Stepsister!
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Addicted2Driftwood
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/01/11 11:30I auditioned for Bye Bye Birdie on December 14th. Callbacks are this sunday (Jan 13th) and they'll probably post the cast list the next day. A month later! Gah it's quite annoying.
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Annie
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/01/11 15:13I once auditioned for a show in which the director told us we wouldn't hear anything for at least a week because she was so busy she wouldn't even try to start casting the show until then.~Annie Currently: Soloist for Night of Jazz fundraiser Recently: Miss Thorn (Ruthless! the Musical), Emma Carew (Jekyll & Hyde)
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triplethreat
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/01/11 15:26Sometimes a director will ask leads to "accept" their roles before they post - this prevents them having to re-post if someone turns the role down._____________ Kris MTA Admin
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Johnnyonenote
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/01/29 14:57As a director for over 25+ years (Gawd has it been THAT many?) For me there is no excuse to go over a couple days to post a cast list.
Indeed, I will phone everyone first especially the leads to make sure that they accept the role.
The longest it has ever taken me is three days, and that was for ANNIE... I will NEVER do that again! LOL
I would say that 99.9% of the time, I know as I walk out of final audition or callbacks who the leads are.. it is the chorus and smaller roles that actually take more time because many times it is based on who I want for the leads... do they match? Will they work well together? Will they ACCEPT A SMALLER ROLE!!!!????
I have more problems casting smaller roles and chorus than anything else.... Leads are EASY!
I hate directors that say "I am too busy to cast right now and will have it up when I get the time to go over it again" WARNING WARNING DANGER DANGER BAD DIRECTOR!!! RUN DON'T WALK RUN AWAY RUN AWAY!!!!
If they can't be organized enough to cast.. what makes you think they will be prepared for when it counts? At REHEARSALS!!!
But then, I am just anal and have my whole show ready to go before Auditions, sets, costumes, props etc are pretty much lined up and ready to go... just depends on who gets cast, so therefore... I cast QUICKLY! Currently Directing - Sweeney Todd (March 2008)
Currently In - Jan 11 - Feb 3 2008 Moonlight And Magnolias - Ben Hecht (non musical)
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That seems like a long time. We will be having callbacks for Footloose in just under two weeks, and we plan to go out together right after and choose our cast. They will be notified the next day. We had to go from 200 people who auditioned to 35 in the show, but we still plan to be able to do it in one night (already got it down to 65 after the singing and dance auditions).
Besides, we already have an idea of who we are looking at for the leads. As for ensemble, we made a point of asking every person who would audition if they would accept an ensemble role if they weren't cast as a lead. This helps a lot, too.
I would say you are waiting too long.I'm Samantha. But you can call me Sam.
Favorite Roles: Rosie - Bye, Bye Birdie Mrs. Paroo - The Music Man
Current Role: Footloose - Eleanor Dunbar (also Assistant Director)
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brucecriesxout
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/01/29 18:24Johnnyonenote wrote: As a director for over 25+ years (Gawd has it been THAT many?) For me there is no excuse to go over a couple days to post a cast list.
I hate directors that say "I am too busy to cast right now and will have it up when I get the time to go over it again" WARNING WARNING DANGER DANGER BAD DIRECTOR!!! RUN DON'T WALK RUN AWAY RUN AWAY!!!!
If they can't be organized enough to cast.. what makes you think they will be prepared for when it counts? At REHEARSALS!!!
But then, I am just anal and have my whole show ready to go before Auditions, sets, costumes, props etc are pretty much lined up and ready to go... just depends on who gets cast, so therefore... I cast QUICKLY!
Considering some of the directors I've worked with it seems like a rarity around here for a director to be ready and prepared to go. HahaName: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
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bwaybound77
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/01/29 19:08Whenever my school has auditions, they have the callbacks the next week, and they won't post the list until another week or so! It's agrivating because you have to kind of put your life on hold until you wait for the result before you can do other things (let alone relax).Name: Devyn
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I will echo frustration at waiting for a cast list!! My audition was ten days ago, callbacks (I was there!) were this past Monday evening.
This is the first time I have auditioned for this company, so I called Tuesday , a day after the callbacks just to inquire on their casting process. I received an email yesterday morning saying that the director calls the leads to see if they will accept, then SOMETIMES calls others who are not cast, or sends a letter. I was told just to "play the waiting game".
What is a reasonable time frame to expect? The director of this show had a much smaller turnout for original "open" auditions, and actually had several new people audition at callbacks this past week. I seemed to be the only one reading for the part I want at callbacks; no new contenders. he kept switching out the romantic leads and other parts, but always had me read my part, and even "coached" me at one point.
Since rehearsals are scheduled to begin on this Sunday 2/10.....if I do not get a phone call by tomorrow, should I assume I am not cast?
Your thoughts are appreciated.
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bjgruber
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/02/07 14:21Community theatre aroudn here takes weeks just for callbacks. Then it takes another 2-4 weeks to know if you're made it. it makes me kinda mad sometimes.Favorite Shows: Spring Awakening, Avenue Q, Hairspray, Assassins, Parade Dream Role: Melchior or Moritz/Spring Awakening Current Role: Bishop/Comberferre in Les Miserables Upcoming Auditions: Busch Gardens, Thoroughly Modern Millie, All Shook Up, VCU (Classical)
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BackOnStage26
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/02/08 20:42Well, I have been offered an ensemble role! The role I was called back on has been given to someone who was NEVER at auditions...the wife of the other director at the community theatre.
Unbelievable, these people use the venue for their own personal little Broadway.. Open audiitions. Right.
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JoMarch
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/02/08 22:32Ugh! That's a bummer! I feel your pain. Current Show: Spitfire Grill Last Show: Laramie Project Next Show: Peter Pan
You sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve.
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brucecriesxout
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/02/09 02:35BackOnStage26 wrote: Well, I have been offered an ensemble role! The role I was called back on has been given to someone who was NEVER at auditions...the wife of the other director at the community theatre.
Unbelievable, these people use the venue for their own personal little Broadway.. Open audiitions. Right.
My thoughts on the matter are is that It's the life of a performer, but it doesnt cease to disgust me to no end. I can't stand people having things handed to them because of who they are. *rolls eyes* Yea I know, it's showbiz but that doesnt mean it can't make me sick.Name: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
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terryhicks
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Re:Long Wait for a Cast List - 2008/02/13 13:08The first show I did, we auditioned on a Wednesday and found out the next Wednesday.
The second show I did (with the same theatre group) I was told right after my audition.
The third show I did (same group), we auditioned on Thursday or Saturday (both in my case). Callbacks were Sunday. We were called on Wednesday.
I auditioned for a show (with a different group) on Saturday, February 9th. Callbacks were Tuesday, February 12th, and the cast list will be posted online at 5 o'clock tonight (February 13th) at the latest.
So I've never had a long wait...In Production: Thoroughly Modern Millie...ENSEMBLE!
Past Roles: Scarecrow in "The Wiz" Lumiere in "Beauty and the Beast" Seargant in "Pirates of Penzance" Prince in "Cinderella's Glass Slipper"
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it makes me kinda mad sometimes.
