Pre-casting
Wed, 17 Jan 2001, 11:10 pmWalter Plinge8 posts in thread
Pre-casting
Wed, 17 Jan 2001, 11:10 pmThis topic gets my blood boiling!! A veery controversial topic. I find nothing worse than going to an auditon, trying your hardest, doing a great audition, only to find out (or not which is most often the case!) that someone already has that part! I think it is fair to say that Director's need to have enough people in mind in order to cast a play (or else there would be no point in performing it), however, these should be suggestions only, and not then develop a closed mind to other possibilities, or new people that happen to audition for the part/s. At a theatre where I have been a member for a couple of years, there is a standard unspoken rule, that there are certain directors who you don't bother to audition for, because they have a completely closed mind! What upsets me is, how does a new person entering into a theatre group to get cast in a play, if they won't be looked at as a possiblity? In my case, I have had 20 years experience in amateur theatre, and have not been able to prove myself, because some groups don't even do one-act plays, so there is no forum to display your talent. I think it is a shame, that to get into a play, I have to travel all over the metro area to audition, because the theatres that are close to me really want proven talent in their shows!
What do others think?
Just thought I would prompt a little debate/discussion on a topic which is close to my heart.
Chris.
What do others think?
Just thought I would prompt a little debate/discussion on a topic which is close to my heart.
Chris.
RE: Pre-casting
Thu, 18 Jan 2001, 12:02 amBefore I continue, many people won't know just who I am. I have next to no experience in theatre, or indeed life, and my comments should be summarily discarded as the stinking pile of refuse that they are.
*** WARNING: Reading the post may cause blindness. ***
I think that totally closing a role is unfair to everyone. The actor who auditions wastes their time, the director and cast miss out on a chance to work with that actor, the club loses what could be a potential member, and the audience who finally pay to see the show don't get as good a show as they may have. That doesn't mean you can't have someone in mind, but I wouldn't suggest telling them that they have the role.
I was talking to someone about a play they plan to direct recently(notice the intentionally vague discription? You won't get no good information out of me! Mwahahaha!), in reference to pre-casting. They propose to do what seems to me to be the best thing for all concerned. Director X will ask the people who they want to cast (Actor A) to audition. If Actor A does audition, and they are the best on the day, they get the part. If Actor Y auditions for the part and is better than Actor A, then Actor Y gets the part. Director X will NOT tell Actor A "Come audition and the part is yours,". It may be true, but things change, and Director X doesn't want to be a month down the track weeping softly into their lighting plan becase they should've given the role to Actor Y.
I really can't see why any clear-headed person would do otherwise...
*** WARNING: Reading the post may cause blindness. ***
I think that totally closing a role is unfair to everyone. The actor who auditions wastes their time, the director and cast miss out on a chance to work with that actor, the club loses what could be a potential member, and the audience who finally pay to see the show don't get as good a show as they may have. That doesn't mean you can't have someone in mind, but I wouldn't suggest telling them that they have the role.
I was talking to someone about a play they plan to direct recently(notice the intentionally vague discription? You won't get no good information out of me! Mwahahaha!), in reference to pre-casting. They propose to do what seems to me to be the best thing for all concerned. Director X will ask the people who they want to cast (Actor A) to audition. If Actor A does audition, and they are the best on the day, they get the part. If Actor Y auditions for the part and is better than Actor A, then Actor Y gets the part. Director X will NOT tell Actor A "Come audition and the part is yours,". It may be true, but things change, and Director X doesn't want to be a month down the track weeping softly into their lighting plan becase they should've given the role to Actor Y.
I really can't see why any clear-headed person would do otherwise...
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