Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/22 17:38Ready for my next dilema? I am doing Seussical now. About the time the current show will close, another Community Theatre Company will audition for Seussical. I am playing the Mayor in my current production, and it was obvious to even me that I wasn't going to get cast as the Cat or Horton, because two other people at the audtion were so much more talented than I - and that is fine. I love my part and I work with these people who are just "crazy-talented". I sit there watching them rehearse with my mouth hanging open all day at their extreme talent.
The dilema is, do I audition for the OTHER production of Seussical? Does it look goofy to do one show more than once? If I go to the second audition and get asked to play the Mayor again, do I accept the part?
[i]As an aside, this website is better than having a therapist I can come in here and ball my eyes out, and everyone has been supportive and nurturing. So, I am a tiny little person saying "Thanks in advance[/i]".
Post edited by: jameala, at: 2008/03/22 17:39
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
triplethreat
Admin Admin
Posts: 1192
Karma: 24
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/22 17:56I know a guy who has played Tevye in Fiddler in somewhere close to 10 different shows, and has performed excerpts from it countless other times. But he loves the role that much.
I would perform Nellie in South Pacific again in a heartbeat, but I've played other roles that I wouldn't want to do again (unless I was getting paid big money, )
Wait until you've been working on this show a little longer, and if you genuinely love it enough to do it again, go for it! (Be aware though, that some directors don't like casting those who have played the role before, particularly if it's recent, because they can be more difficult to direct. So you may have a better chance of getting a different role... or not. You'll just need to decide what you are willing to accept before you walk in there)_____________ Kris MTA Admin
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Starlet_Actress21
User Leading Player
Posts: 316
Karma: 5
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/22 18:29I agree with triplethreat, if you love the show, deffo do it again. As she said, there are roles where I would be jumping up and down to play again, but there are others that I never want to hear the name of again.Auditioning for: Brigadoon, theatre season, American Music Theatre, Into the Woods, Sound of Music, and AMDA.
Currently In: Nothing
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Flece
User Supporting Player
Posts: 87
Karma: 2
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/22 21:18I've done Man of la Mancha 3 times. I was cast in a different role each time, but I would kill to get another chance as Aldonza. Love it.
I've also done The Wiz twice. I wasn't too keen on doing that show again, but I needed to get back on stage. I went from Glinda to chorus, but the actual production was so extraordinarily different and the company was so unusual that it turned out to be a much better experience the second time.
I also took a demotion the second time I did Our Town (from Soames to "townperson"). That was...not as fun. But I made around $22 a line!
There are a bunch of shows I'd do again given the chance. Having an intimate understanding of the show/role, but still being open to different interpretations and growth would make you a huge asset to other companies.Briana
Currently: Roustabout, "Side Show"
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
megsings
User Chorus Member
Posts: 31
Karma: 1
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/24 13:42And hey... hardly any memorizing issues for you!Currently playing: Lily! (Secret Garden) YAYAYAYAY!
the things you fear are undefeatable not by their nature but by your approach
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Jbug
User Supporting Player
Posts: 148
Karma: 2
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/24 21:06I've done one show 3 times. Doing the show again depends on if you like the show. If the answer is yes, go for it. Do you like the people who are putting on the show in the other location? If yes, do it. If you don't, then it's not worth your time. You never know, you might get a different part the next time. The next question is, do you have the time? The last question is, if they give you a part you don't want, is it worth your time? It might be to get in good with the people doing the show. However, if the show will not be as good or the people not as good, you might want to think about it. Everything depends on how you feel about the particular production - people, place, commitment and role.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
katoru
User Leading Player
Posts: 348
Karma: 5
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/24 21:07I have trouble doing the same show twice (in a row, anyway). I did You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown twice back to back and by the end of it, I was so sick of the show. Granted, I did play a different part both times.
The same thing happened with the show I just finished, The Mikado. I was chorus in our adaptation of it in the summer, and was cast in the chorus again, as a soprano again, and the amount of time we spent just learning the music was excruciating for me. Bored out of my skull. I would have been slightly happier if they'd stuck me in the alto section so I could at least be learning a new part, but I was the strongest soprano there (other than Yum-Yum). I ended up being promoted to Peep-bo in the end though, so I did end up learning a little bit of new music, and it turned out to be fun.
A good friend has proposed to direct Charlie Brown for a local company and asked me if I would audition. I think it's been long enough that I'll do it if I'm offered a part and I might not go nuts, as long as it's a part I haven't already played.
But there are definitely parts I would be glad to play for the rest of my life. Tuptim in the King and I would be one, for sure. I just loved playing her, and loved the whole cast.Kathleen Sera Current Shows: West Side Story - Wardrobe Supervisor Upcoming Auditions: Cruiseship Pinafore - Hebe or Josephine, Crazy For You - Irene Roth
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
cythriplethreat
User Chorus Member
Posts: 41
Karma: 2
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/24 22:03I accually had teh chance to play the same role twice. The first time when I was a freshman in High School, and the second time two years later. First off yes, the shows were taken in a compleatly different direction. Personally I loved having a chance to really fine tune my performance, and I ended up rocking the second time around. All in All I really enjoyed really taking that character apart and going into much more depth because I already had teh surface knowledge.Melissa
Currently: Sweet Charity ~ Company
Upcoming Auditions: Damn Yankees High School Musical A Funny Thing...
Recently: Dancer/Kid in St. Clair Christmas Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods Aunt Eller in OKLAHOMA! Narrator in Joseph
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
broadwaybound
User Newbie
Posts: 6
Karma: 0
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/25 00:01I've never actually had the opporotunity to do a show twice...But it doesnt sound very exciting. The only shows I think i could do more than once are Hairspray and Les Mis. Those could never get old for me.Currently: Elton Johns AIDA (Chorus, Dancer)
Past Shows: 101 Dalmatians (Roger) Grease! (Teen Angel, Chorus) High School Musical (Ryan)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Clink
User Chorus Member
Posts: 34
Karma: 0
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/25 13:55I played Charlie Brown 2x and i loved it. I know people who have made a career out of playing one role, as in The Man of La Mancha, but you really gotta love the role to do the same one in the same show. i say go for it, ya never know, you might get offered a part you'd like even more.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
jameala
User Supporting Player
Posts: 119
Karma: 4
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/25 21:01So, to everyone who answered the post (and please take this in the spirit in is intended), do you put on your resume the fact that you played one role more than once? and (please don't get offended at this part) casting directors don't think you are flaky if you do?
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
megsings
User Chorus Member
Posts: 31
Karma: 1
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/26 08:12I can't see why you wouldn't put it on there! It's more experience and shows you were cast twice for two shows, regardless of the show name and time frame. What I mean is, it's stil two shows that wanted you. I can't see why it would come off as flaky to a casting director... but please, other folk, correct me if my logic is flawed! I don't know, I'm just giving MHO! I say do it! Currently playing: Lily! (Secret Garden) YAYAYAYAY!
the things you fear are undefeatable not by their nature but by your approach
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Flece
User Supporting Player
Posts: 87
Karma: 2
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/27 01:32When I auditioned for Aldonza, I was only 21. I put down both of my previous experiences with the show. It came down to myself and a girl who had been with the company for 10 years. They didn't even need callbacks. It felt good to have a solid understanding of her at such a young age.
Post edited by: Flece, at: 2008/03/27 01:32Briana
Currently: Roustabout, "Side Show"
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Ereth_Moonsbane
User Newbie
Posts: 10
Karma: 0
Re:Playing the same role twice - 2008/03/27 12:38A bit of a local celebrity once talked to my production group of "Our Town" by Thorton Wilder, about how he over the years has played George twice and the Stage Manager as well. He also directed the play at one point. Giving a role another go can open up new venues of creativity, and another role in the same play can definitely give perspective and authenticity to the newly acquired place in the cast.
Not to mention each company has different dynamics and feel.
Even more of a twist, I'll be doing The Wiz in The Wiz hopefully this summer as my last performance at my college theater production. The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz was my first at that particular location.Mystery becomes malice, Shrouds become walls.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
I did the "Wizard" for a production of "The Wizard of Oz" last summer. If I won the Lotto (which would be impossible, because I don't buy tickets), I would pay all of the people who were in the show to do do it and make it their full-time job. Sounds kind of nuts, I know, but who ever said actors play with a full deck?
I guess I was looking at that whole thing wrong. I did Oliver a couple summers ago. The guy who played Bill Sykes went on to another Comm. Theatre Company to play the same role again and people said things (behinds his back, of course) "how many times does someone have to play the same role?" I guess they were wrong and everyone else is right.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
I can come in here and ball my eyes out, and everyone has been supportive and nurturing. So, I am a tiny little person saying "Thanks in advance[/i]". 
)
