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Where have all the good men gone?

Wed, 13 Dec 2006, 01:31 pm
Stephen Gummerson41 posts in thread
I've noticed, as have you all I'm sure; that there are always a shortage of good men for audition s for Community Theatre. There also seems to be a shortage of good females aged 18-38. They seem to love acting/drama until the HSC & then drop out of hobbies like theatre until some reflect upon thir life again after 38. I got good men for Blackadder II in August 2006 which ended up being a sell out but I have spread the word wide & far for the play detailed below & for auditions this week & next I know it will be vital to find the leads I need. I know some others have more trouble but if you know anyone who wants to act in Picton NSW they need to email me on pictontheatre@ausgate.com for an audition pack & prepare. I developed this pack to avoid re-explaining things over the phone if anyone missed a read through. Also, how can Australia get more men & women aged 18-38 involved in Community Theatre. Although my auditions are only just starting I'm aware it will be difficult to find the few good male actors I need for this play. I chose it partly because, of all the Cooney/Chapman farces, it uses the biggest ratio of Women to men at 6 to 5. Please email me if anyone good wants to audition on pictontheatre@ausgate.com Show details below but long term strategy ideas appreciated. ‘Not Now, Darling’ by Ray Cooney and John Chapman is an hilarious tale set in a London fur salon where the mischievous plans of Gilbert Bodley to use a ₤5000 Mink coat to buy the affections of Janie, an East End mobster's wife and showgirl, all come undone (literally). In the typical British style that we love, the panic, blame, cover ups, flirtations, and shocks increase at a rapid pace bring down the innocent along with the guilty until everyone gets their just desserts. The Directorial team comprises Stephen Gummerson (PTG President) who directed Picton’s successful sell out stage show of BBC's “Blackadder II” in 2006 and skilled actors/Directors Peta Scowcroft and Roshelle Williams. No pre-casting ever. Some very big roles. Lots of fast pasted lines with good comic timing needed. No nudity but this funny & panic ridden farce requires 2 females to appear in bra & pants. although auditions are 12th & 16th Dec, email if you miss it afterwards as correct casting is vital & I can still audition people until we start rehearsals in mid Jan 2007. Want to try acting in a live dinner show production? We need 6 females & 5 males who are friendly, committed, fun, would be great actors, and preferably aged 18 or over. Audition in Picton in December for a funny and daring British comedy. No experience necessary but by the time we open in April 2007 everyone on stage has to be outstanding. Picton Theatre Group has been putting on great shows for everyone in Macarthur for 30 years, everyone is a volunteer who is there for the fun of it and we usually produce comedies, musicals, and dramas. To launch their 2007 season they plan a daring British farce with plenty of fun, action, and surprises to leave audiencesi rolling in the aisles with laughter. Emailing is preferred or call Stephen on a weekend or after 6pm on 0422 155 376.

devil's advocate

Wed, 13 Dec 2006, 03:12 pm
I think perhaps the reason people in that age bracket are missing is that a great deal more people now have to work longer and harder just to stay afloat, let alone get ahead. The idea of doing something as time-consuming as theatre for 'only' the love of it I suspect puts off all but the hard-core amateur actors. This (18-38) is the age when we all theoretically have our largest debt, and are building our careers with greater unpaid time etc. When we hit around 40 many have paid good portions of our debts, have settled into a decently-paid position, have older kids- basically less intense responsibility with greater free time and cash. This also coincides with a general frustration with being 'stuck on the wheel', and reminds us all that we once loved the theatre and maybe we should get back into it... thus the cycle completes! The reason for less men in general has been discussed ad-nauseum (less free to be creative/expressive, culturally not as cool to act etc.), but perhaps one unexpressed reason could be related to the above. Despite our great leaps in equal opportunity etc., the majority of high-paid/high responsibility management positions are still held by men, and therefore they remain squeezed for time etc. for much longer in their careers. Maybe there are simply less men in the position to take time off to do 'hobbies'. If they do have time, culturally they are more likely to use this small amount of time to go fishing or sailing or play golf etc. Awaiting others' thoughts... Nev It's the simple things stupid...

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