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
Sat, 20 Jan 2001, 07:56 amHi Chris et al.
Chris Ellis wrote:
-------------------------------
> Thanks for your comments Indi, and I agree with you
> completely.
ditto this and Gill's comments too.
> However, not all directors think the same way you do.
And that's a shame isn't it?
> Some clubs have a policy of open auditions, so directors
> have no choice but to run the audition, however, if they
> have a definite actor pre-cast in a role, then they do not
> have the courtesy to say that this role is taken, or
> probably taken.
*snip*
> Also, there have been some shows I have seen by some
> directors, that always have the same people in them,
> even though many other people of many years
> experience have auditioned for the roles.
Can we all say Barking Gecko?
;-)
I'd be starting to wonder whether the companies and directors you speak of are worth working for at all. In fact, reading the rest of your post and seeing some of the treatment being dished out at the auditions, i'd hold little hope for a productive rehearsal process and have serious concerns about the quality of the end product.
There must be plenty of other companies that you can audition for. If they're all as bad as each other, why not start your own? If things are as bad as you say they are, plenty of other people will have noticed and will flock to an alternative company that treats actors with respect.
Cheers
Grant
Chris Ellis wrote:
-------------------------------
> Thanks for your comments Indi, and I agree with you
> completely.
ditto this and Gill's comments too.
> However, not all directors think the same way you do.
And that's a shame isn't it?
> Some clubs have a policy of open auditions, so directors
> have no choice but to run the audition, however, if they
> have a definite actor pre-cast in a role, then they do not
> have the courtesy to say that this role is taken, or
> probably taken.
*snip*
> Also, there have been some shows I have seen by some
> directors, that always have the same people in them,
> even though many other people of many years
> experience have auditioned for the roles.
Can we all say Barking Gecko?
;-)
I'd be starting to wonder whether the companies and directors you speak of are worth working for at all. In fact, reading the rest of your post and seeing some of the treatment being dished out at the auditions, i'd hold little hope for a productive rehearsal process and have serious concerns about the quality of the end product.
There must be plenty of other companies that you can audition for. If they're all as bad as each other, why not start your own? If things are as bad as you say they are, plenty of other people will have noticed and will flock to an alternative company that treats actors with respect.
Cheers
Grant
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