Auditioning for the experience - 2008/01/03 23:07I teach High School Speech. I would love to do more shows, but it is frowned on. My boss feels that it would deflect too much time from my teaching, as well as extracurricular duties.
I would like to audition for shows, with the premise that I wouldn't accept a part if it were offered to me. I wouldn't want to tell them in the audition process that "I am just practicing auditioning", but let's assume the worst case scenario happens: I have a good audition and get called back and turn down the callback. Will I get a bad reputation as the "guy who turns down everything?"
In the summer, no one cares what I do, so I like to audition for a musical then (last summer I did "The Wizard of Oz"), but I wouldn't mind getting more experience. BUT, it is a small community and word gets out.
Any thoughts?
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Annie
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/01/03 23:47Too bad you don't live in my small community. We have open auditions that people will come and watch. If they don't have enough people (usually men) to rotate between for each scene they read, the directors will ask the extra people to read.
Maybe you could strike a deal with your boss which would allow you to do one show during the school year when your extracurricular duties are lightest.
What you could do, if your schedule is flexible enough, is show up to the audition and say that you have a really busy schedule for work but that you'd be available on certain nights to rehearse. If they can't work around your schedule maybe they'll still ask you to audition anyway. I've seen it happen. The worst they can say is no.~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:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/01/07 23:01Brutal honesty: As a director, I would be really ticked off if I found out someone was taking up my time with an audition when they had no intention of being in the show.
If you asked if you could do a "mock audition" that's totally different - but I'm guessing that having the audition panel know would change the scenario.
As an aside - I don't see how an employer has a right to tell you what to do with your own time. Unless you're asking for time off from the actual school day, it's none of their business._____________ Kris MTA Admin
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Annelle
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/01/09 20:21A good way to practice auditioning is to do more of it. I think it's a good idea and it will make you more confident and comfortable with the whole process. Maybe audition for shows that you know have no parts suited for you. That way, you get your practice and you won't be too hurt if they turn you down because you didn't have any intention of doing the show anyway.
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jameala
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/01/24 16:52You are right, triplethreat, but it is the APPEARANCE of diligence that we are struggling toward. You knkow, if you are at rehearsals, COULD you have been doing something MORE for your OWN theatre program?
As an aside, I threw caution to the wind and auditioned for Seussical and got a call-back. I can't wait to see what tomorrow may bring!
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triplethreat
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/01/24 18:47jameala wrote: You are right, triplethreat, but it is the APPEARANCE of diligence that we are struggling toward. You know, if you are at rehearsals, COULD you have been doing something MORE for your OWN theatre program?
Are you kidding? Teachers who don't continue to perform themselves lose touch with the authenticity of the art. In my mind, you ARE doing something for your own theatre program._____________ Kris MTA Admin
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jameala
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/01/25 20:43Well, believe me "Triplethreat", I couldn't agree with you more, but after two nights of gruelling auditions, I got the call to do "The Mayor" in Seussical for the Wilmette Park District (Illinois). They have a beautiful theatre and they have a large enough theatre department (and a deep enough bench, apparently) to do a different show while this one is auditioning. I went to my boss and asked him, basically, for his permission. He said "well, I can' t tell you WHAT to do (after all, I am still in a union), but I would tell them that you have enough work to do (here)". I felt like someone put a knife in my heart, but I called them back and respectfully turned it down.
While I would love to do the show, I was glad to hear that I have the chops to get cast in the first place!
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brucecriesxout
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/01/25 23:54He said "well, I can' t tell you WHAT to do (after all, I am still in a union), but I would tell them that you have enough work to do (here)". I felt like someone put a knife in my heart, but I called them back and respectfully turned it down.
I'm so sorry, that really sucks. I hope you won't have to turn anything else down because of all that. Whenever you audition for something else of course.Name: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
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Jbug
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/02/05 12:45Too bad you turned down the show. Would being in the show REALLY take away from your job? People who don't do theatre don't understand actors. I know from talking to many drama teachers the problems of other jealous teachers/administrators. Those folks resent that theatre departments take alot of money from their departments and they resent that the kids like to do the drama classes and shows more than their other classes, etc. I could go on for days on that subject and tell you stories. I witnessed a whole department destroyed a number of years ago. It was probably the best in our state at one time. The number of students I could name who came out of it would really surprise you. Many are working professionals in the entertainment industry today both behind the scenes as well as in front.
In the future, I wouldn't audition for a show unless you had every intention of doing the show if you were cast. Casting people have good memories and would remember. it wouldn't sit well with them. The only exception is if you turned down their show to be in another show. Basically, don't waste their time if you do not intend to do the show.
As for your boss. Well, really examine if doing the show and your job would take away your time from your job. Search your heart. Would it make you too exhausted to be the best you can be at your job? Otherwise, who says that you have to tell them until you absolutely have to. Let them find out later after you've been in rehearsals for awhile. What you do in your FREE time is your business. You are not their slave in your off hours.
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brucecriesxout
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/02/05 15:12BEAUTIFULLY SAID JBug! Name: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
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jameala
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/02/09 19:06That is good advice, Jbug. As I look back at it, I shouldn't have auditioned for the show in the first place, based on what he said.
Just to show you how strange life can be, they offered the part of the Mayor in Seussical to a guy I knew from another show, and he turned it down, but not before sending me an impassioned e-mail saying how I should take the role (to me and to the director). I forwarded it to my boss (the theatre manager of a pretty big high school theatre department) and my boss said "I am sure we can make this work!"
SOO, rehearsals start tomorrow! I will be one of the "tiny little people, blowing by in the air" until the middle of April.
Thanks to everyone for their support in this matter.
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brucecriesxout
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/02/09 20:19I'm so excited for you! Your gonna kick butt Name: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
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little_yellow_froggy
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/02/10 13:19Congratulations!! I love Suessical, and I'm sure you'll make a great mayor.Current: none Upcoming: Les Miserables ('09) Recent: Peter Pan- Crocodile
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