Typecasting - 2008/02/03 21:43In theatre we all have to deal with typecasting. It can either get you tons of good roles or it cancel keep you from getting the ones you really want. I myself have been typecast as the "dumb blonde" multiple times ( first the dumb stepsister in Cinderella (can't remember her name) then Cookie in Rumors, multiple projects in my Advanced Drama class, and now Frenchy in Grease). Not to sound conceited, I am a darn good dramatic actress, but since I am blonde and bubbly (most of the time) I get stuck in roles that don't showcase my talents.
My question to all of you is: What are you typecast as and does it help you or does it keep you from doing something?--Ashley-- Current Production: "High School Musical" (Ms. Darbus) Upcoming Auditions: "The Children's Hour"(Auditioning for Mary or Martha), "On The Razzle", "The Wizard Of Oz", "Blood Brothers", "Hamlet"(Auditioning for Ophelia!!!!!) Dream Roles: Rizzo "Grease", Fantine "Les Miserables", Ms. Lovett "Sweeney Todd", Gwendolen "The Importance of Being Ernest" , Ophelia "Hamlet", Cherie "Bus Stop", Mama Rose "Gypsy",
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Starlet_Actress21
User Leading Player
Posts: 316
Karma: 5
Re:Typecasting - 2008/02/03 22:35When I audition for musicals, I generally get chorus roles, so that really doesn't mean much. But when I audition for plays, I generally am cast as the good girl or someone with some nice one-liners. I'm not really the ingenue type- I'm short and chubby- so I get a lot of character roles. I love playing character roles anyway, so it works, but sometimes it'd be cool to play the girl who gets the guy. Although just this week I was considered for a love-interest role... but lost it due to my schedule. But it was cool to know tahat they wanted me, because I've never been seen or seen myself in that light. I also play people younger than me a lot, which also works for me because I'm very innocent, and [pretty much look it. Besides being short, I look pretty young and I have bangs, so that makes me look younger, too.
Post edited by: Starlet_Actress21, at: 2008/02/03 22:36Auditioning 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.
Christine_wannabe
User Supporting Player
Posts: 212
Karma: 3
Re:Typecasting - 2008/02/04 00:40In 6th grade, i auditioned for Taming of the Shrew wanting the role of Katherine, instead i got Madame Minola (female Baptista, we didn't have enough guys), i was totally shocked because i read for Katherine and everyone clapped for me and said they were very impressed and that i was definitaly going to get Katherine. I talked to the director and he said basically i was too shy to play Katherine! I was so mad, it is called ACTING for a reason! Besides there is plenty of actors that are shy, and i am only shy when i don't know people that well, when i am with my friends, family, and i am performing i am very outgoing!-Laura
Favorite Musical: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA!!!!!!! As for more "happy" musicals i like BATB, Music Man, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Singin' in the rain!!!
Next production: R&H Cinderella?
“Practice as if you are the worst, perform as if you are the best.”
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
itshairspray
User Supporting Player
Posts: 139
Karma: 2
Re:Typecasting - 2008/02/04 11:18I get cast as the overbearing or worrying mother/mother figure. Mrs. Johnson in Bye Bye Birdie and I got a callback for Norma in The Diviners. But I'm not really sure about it now. I haven't had too many roles yet.Upcoming: US Performing Arts Camps Currently: Henrietta (Honk Jr.!) Nessarose (MdN's Wicked) Enjolras (ENG)/Eponine (FREN) (Les Miz Online Cast Recording) Past: Godspell/Mamma Mia Soloist (Broadway Babies) Mrs. Johnson (Bye Bye Birdie)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
BethMarch
User Newbie
Posts: 19
Karma: 0
Re:Typecasting - 2008/02/04 16:09I'm often typecast as the innocent, goody-two-shoes. It's getting quite annoying. I'm always either cast as that, or a child prostitute. Yes, I've had to be a child prostitute twice. It's not a fun time when the men hitting on you in the show are about 60 years old and you are 12.<3
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
BethMarch
User Newbie
Posts: 19
Karma: 0
Re:Typecasting - 2008/02/04 16:09I'm not a child prostitute, though! Don't worry!<3
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
lilmissbroadway
User Supporting Player
Posts: 234
Karma: 0
Re:Typecasting - 2008/02/04 17:07I remember in 4th and 5th grade, I had a little children's theatre henchman streak goingI Rent a Wicked apartment on Avenue Q! (Unfortunatly, it's haunted by a Phantom) Sarah
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
kristine415
User Supporting Player
Posts: 131
Karma: 1
Re:Typecasting - 2008/02/04 23:04If it's for school, the next time you audition for a show, do a dramtic monologue or song. Even if you wouldn't consider it appropriate for the show. They'd know for sure you can do those parts. But if it's for a theatre, especially if you've never auditioned for them before, I wouldn't recommend doing that though.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
DANC3iNTH3MOONLiGHT
User Newbie
Posts: 6
Karma: 0
Re:Typecasting - 2008/03/10 22:53the drama teacher at my school is known for type casting, which made it hilarious when he cast my friend Jen as a little boy in last years play lol
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
nyc_etoile
User Chorus Member
Posts: 27
Karma: 2
Re:Typecasting - 2008/03/10 23:58I hate to say it, but typecasting is everywhere. Especially at professional New York auditions, Broadway and otherwise, they VERY often have everybody line up with their headshot/resume and go down the line and take the picture of the people that look like the role they are casting, without even hearing you sing or act! It's happened to me several times and it sucks. But you pretty much should get used to it now. The only advice I have is if you really want a part, make sure you go in looking like the part, because the people behind the desk have no imagination and want to see the character in front of them.~*~ Kris ~*~
Currently In: Rehearsals for Nine The Musical
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Jbug
User Supporting Player
Posts: 150
Karma: 2
Re:Typecasting - 2008/03/11 13:27Yeap!!!!! You are absolutely correct!!!!!!! Everything is about looks 1st. Get use to it. It is the same here in Hollywood - right down to what size clothes you wear. If they want someone who has a mole on each side of their face and is also 6'2" tall ---- they will find it.
Instead of fighting it -- embrace it. Train and be the best you can be. In class, do your dream roles there and maybe someday someone might give you a chance. But when it comes to the real world, EMBRACE YOUR TYPE. The sooner you except it, the easier it will be for you to find work.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
brucecriesxout
User Supporting Player
Posts: 284
Karma: 7
Re:Typecasting - 2008/03/11 15:45My question to all of you is: What are you typecast as and does it help you or does it keep you from doing something?
Generally I'm not considered leading man material because I'm short (5'9) and because I'm not completely skinny. I'm not fat though either. I'm usually either not cast at all, or in Ensemble in those cases.
However I'm starting to ONLY audition for the roles I want and If I'm not cast in that specific role(s) I'm content with not doing the show.
At least when It comes to community theatres and such. Not trying to sound like a diva or anything. However it's quite tough to do a show, work and go to school at the same time and to be taking on ANOTHER show on top of all that for a role you didn't want? Haha.Name: Bruce Current Production: None. Upcoming Auditions:
The Butler Did It Singing (Chandler)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
theblonde
User Newbie
Posts: 5
Karma: 0
Re:Typecasting - 2008/03/11 19:47i can relate to you ashleysn1derland, im always either the dumb blonde or some kind of chorus charactor~Hope
Current Production: Cats
Upcoming Auditions: Teddy and Alice
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
aliauthor
User Leading Player
Posts: 349
Karma: 7
Re:Typecasting - 2008/03/11 22:01I am typecast in character roles due to my, er, talent to do wacky impressions and be BIG AND BOLD, which is good because I've never really had to start in chorus and work my way up, but I'm stuck in a supporting roles rut. They're very fun to do, but I'm ready for a legit leading role-Ali
Currently: -Sheila; Boys Next Door (postshow depression mode) -acceptance to acting ensemble -Bye Bye Birdie (audition- didn't get a callback)
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Clink
User Chorus Member
Posts: 35
Karma: 0
Re:Typecasting - 2008/03/20 13:45I'm a character actor so YES I'm typecast. Some of it is just acceptance and some of it is going after the role you want anyway. The directors vision is what casting is all about and sometimes they can be pretty stereotypical. I love casting against type (Whoppee Goldberg in Forum for example) but it doesn't happen often. Not to worry, everything changes, even your looks !
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
