Pre-Casting ... Set In Concrete?

Casting Etiquette … and no, it’s not a new production, though come to think of written in the mould of “Last Tango in Little Grimley,” it could be very good. I digress.

May I pose a scenario for general discussion.

Let us imagine an audition is announced for a play, in which one would kill to win the lead role. You research the play, attend the reading and the subsequent audition, only to discover the director has somewhat obviously already cast the role, not only that, when you express an interest in another role, the director says, “I have somebody in mind, have you considered this part? It’s really good,” (the person in mind attended neither the reading, nor the audition).

Now, I have no problems with pre-casting and, I hasten to add, no problems with not being considered suitable for a particular role. BUT I think it incumbent upon a director to inform potential actors that a particular role is not available. I find it disconcertingly unethical and have mentally noted not to audition at that particular theatre again.

Hmm... pre-casting, difficult question. At the outset let me stress that there is a BIG difference between pre-casting and what I will call "stand-by casting". I don't think that I have ever directed a play where I didn't already have in mind people for the majority of the roles. This is what I call "stand-by casting. Sometimes all of these people got the roles I was thinking of them for, sometimes none of them did. But I was secure in the knowledge that should no one have turned up to the audition I could still have cast it. I have only actually pre-cast once, and in that situation I was totally up front about it and didn't hold an audition that role, and even then it was for a minor role... but the thought of the sight of a particular actor in a particular costume was just too much to resist :-) I honestly think that if you have precast a role you have an ethical duty to not waste other people's time. And as long as you ARE up front about it I see nothing wrong with precasting. On the other hand... I think the worst situation going into an audition is knowing that YOU are the favourite for a role. Whereas everyone else at that audition has nothing to lose and only has to be their best... you DO have something to lose, and not only do you have to be your best, but you have to demonstrate that you ARE the best. A couple of times now have been told "We want you for this role, but we are going to audition it anyway just to make sure you are who we want" and not all of those times have I GOT the role either (damn American composers writing tenor parts for roles that by all rights should go to baritones!!!) Luckily I have also been offered a couple of roles in plays that weren't auditioned: but that was more for a specific dynamic. On a couple of occasions I have gone into auditions as a director with the favourite for the lead knowing they were the favourite... Then towards the end of the audition turning to them and saying either: they really need to earn this lead, or, they don't even need to audition noone else came close. Precasting - not necessarily a bad thing Not being honest about precasting - much harder to justify!

Pre-casting pros and cons

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