Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/02/26 00:14Looking back on it, I think it is not a good idea to audition for a show if you plan to turn down the role. I think auditioning for the experience is a good idea if you think you won't get a role but would take it if they offered. However, if you're auditioning and you are planning to turn down the role, then you are wasting both the director's and your own time, and it could end up with a lot of stepped on toes and a bad taste in both your mouths.
I am SO happy for you that everything worked out!! I love stories like that! I hope you enjoy your whole experience!!! Current Show: Coppelia (Swanhilda's friend) Shows in the Last Year: The Nutcracker(Spanish Chocolate, The Prissy Doll) Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit), Urinetown (Little Sally), Schoolhouse Rock Live (Dori),
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AmandaC
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/02/26 01:38Yay! I'm so happy for you!!! Now maybe you can do shows more easily in the future. And how kind of that man to kinda...try and force you to take the part!The opposite of Rent is Oklahoma!!! Why didn't I think of that?
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Last summer I was trying to break into the local community theatre and wanted to go see what the audition process was like because it had been -some- time since I had been on an audition for musical theatre. The guy at the door wouldn't let me in if I wasn't auditioning (I tried to tell him that I didn't want to waste anyone's time and that I just wanted to sit in if that was possible) He said no, that I had to audition to get by him. I was torn. As Triplethreat said, it would be insulting to waste the director's time by going through the process and then saying, "Well I was just practicing..." and I was fully aware of that! I did NOT want to do that but the gentleman at the door insisted, saying that they didn't care.
So I auditioned... (it was a group audition with about 8 people in the room. Each sang a bit from their selected song, with a provided accompanist) and then learned a short dance part. When all was said and done they thanked everyone for coming and released us... but asked me to stay behind and sing from a song in the show. DOH!
I didn't say anything then about not actually being able to be cast in this particular show (and the theatre company uses different directors and producers for each show) but needless to say, I didn't get cast. I still feel kind of weird about it too because I'm sure they all network together and talk about their experiences with people. Like you said, I don't want to be the person that comes, auditions, but doesn't actually want a part... Arg.
I think in hindsight I should not have said anything at all. It was sort of presumpuous to think I would be "in the running" for a part my first time back in the saddle anyway... But I can't go to an audition thinking ahead of time that I don't have a chance... I don't function like that!! Oh well. C'est la vie. I should probably move on and forget about it! HA HA.Currently playing: Lily! (Secret Garden) YAYAYAYAY!
the things you fear are undefeatable not by their nature but by your approach
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goopy
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/03/21 16:28Most community theatres offer either closed or open auditions. If the auditions are open, usually you can watch. Make sure the casting director or whomever is in charge, knows your intent not to audition. It depends on how high up the ranks the theatre is. Equity auditions are usually held first, then open auditions. Exposure is very important in this business. Audition for as many things as you can. Don't try to second guess the casting people. What you see in a role may not be what someone else wants. Directors are a different breed, and sometimes cast very different than you would think. Good Luck!Retired from the business after more than 35 years doing mostly character roles, Concentrating now on musical theatre, teaching and directing. Active in A.E.A. and S.A.G. Love to help young performers get started
Retired from the business, after over thirty five years. Do mostly character spots now, teach and direct theatre now, and still active in A.E.A. and S.A.G.. Love to help young people get started
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jameala
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/03/22 17:22Meg, did you turn the part down or did they not offer it to you? If it is the latter, then that IS weird. They asked you to stay and sing a song from the show and then they cast you!
Seussical is a panic, but I am walking around work with tooth picks under my eyes most days. Being my age, I can't bounce back from those late nights and early mornings like I once could. I love President's Day or "Non-Attendance Days" (better known as Good Friday - a public school can't give its students a religious holiday off and CALL it Good Friday, but they CAN have Non-attendance days). But 20 years from now, I won't remember how tired I was, but I will remember being in a Musical!
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megsings
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Re:Auditioning for the experience - 2008/03/24 13:08They didn't offer the part... I'm assuming that once I left, the "doorman" told them I wasn't interested and that was the end of it. To be honest, in hindsight, I probably would have taken the part and tried to make my schedule work with it, so I was the dummy for opening my mouth... but who knows. I'm just speculating. Obviously they liked me and were interested in me for a role if they asked me to sing more. Oh well! What can I do now, right?
re: non-attendance days: Ha ha! Hang in there! You are right.. you won't remember being tired... just gloriously happy to be in the show! So glad you got the second chance! *crosses fingersand hopes for next audition to go well... TOMORROW!*Currently playing: Lily! (Secret Garden) YAYAYAYAY!
the things you fear are undefeatable not by their nature but by your approach
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The guy at the door wouldn't let me in if I wasn't auditioning (I tried to tell him that I didn't want to waste anyone's time and that I just wanted to sit in if that was possible) He said no, that I had to audition to get by him. I was torn. As Triplethreat said, it would be insulting to waste the director's time by going through the process and then saying, "Well I was just practicing..." and I was fully aware of that! I did NOT want to do that but the gentleman at the door insisted, saying that they didn't care.
