Pre-casting

This 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.

Before 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...

I believe that pre-casting is occasionally warranted, for example, the show that I am directing at present has a cast of only six (the original production had only four). The season is an additional one to fill in a gap and we only have a month-long rehearsal period because of Christmas, New Year and the like.

Finding time to audition for the show would have been very difficult at this time and I knew I needed to cast the show promptly and with people I knew were capable and work well with me. An audition shows if one has talent but not if they are reliable, hardworking, dedicated etc etc.

I do not believe that a director should pre-cast a show and then hold auditions without announcing the roles which are unavailable.

In any other situation I am all for auditions. I like to see who is out there.

I'm with you Gill, I believe pre- casting is sometimes warranted, the instance that you have mentioned is one such time. As a Director I will reserve the right to cast who ever I bloody well please in a show that I am working on. However I will never waste anyones time by auditioning parts that are absolutely unavailable and will make it quite clear that that particular role is not up for grabs. I do feel that if a director is willing to audition someone, that this is proof they are prepared to be open minded about their choice. At the end of the day they may still cast the person they originally had in mind, because the feel they are the best person for the role. Perhaps this is what has happened in your case Chris. I do not understand why someone would audition you for no reason whatever,that would appear to be a huge waste of everyones time, including the directors!
I know that pre casting does sometimes seem unfair, but perhaps Chris you might like to try Directing a show, theatre groups are always on the look out for new directors, then you can experience the system from the other side. I can guarantee you will never go into an audition room without a fairly good idea of who you might cast.
INDI

Thanks for your comments Indi, and I agree with you completely. However, not all directors think the same way you do. 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. I have been to auditionsat several clubs and know that there are several directors who have a closed mind at the audition.
I went to one audition, and was asked to read a part which I was not suited to, read about six lines, and did not get a chance to try for other characters which would have been more suitable. I also went for another audition recently and read for a part which I know was already pre-cast (among other roles) and would have appreciated being told not to bother reading that character.
As far as directing shows go, I have directed many different shows, big and small, children, teens and adults, and have been on the "other side" of the picture. Of course you don't audition a play, if you don't have any chance of casting it, but you need to give new or different faces a chance.
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.
I have missed out on parts for shows because there have been many people trying out, and the director has chosen the ones that match the closest (eg: husband and wife, sisters etc) which is fair enough, but at least you feel like you've been given a good opportunity to display your skills.
All I am asking for is a fair chance at an open audition, and for honesty from directors.

Hi 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

I guess all I can say is that the way a director (or actor for that matter) behaves in an audition room will give you a fairly good indication of how they will conduct themselves during rehearsal.If someone reveals themselves to be closed minded is this some one you want to work with for the next 6 -8 weeks?
It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of who many of these directors are. I would avoid them and keep on doing your own highly formidable thing - a lot more rewarding in the long run!
love INDI

I too have been a 'victim' of pre-casting, but on both sides. I've missed out on roles because either the director had already decided weeks before the audition, or the company is closed to outsiders. I've also been the pre-casted and had to suffer the guilt heaped on me by directors because I've chosen not to audition. I don't think that this will ever change. But doesn't it make those roles you do get, off your own back and not because you were born into that theatre company, so much more rewarding?

Melissa
(Hi to y'all back in Perth!)