Any idea on how I can encourage more boys to audition?  Our theatre is in a SMALL town (our population is less than 500!) and I usually get three or fewer boys at auditions.  I would LOVE to do Peter Pan or some other "boy heavy" show, but only come up with girls.  I've pleaded with the girls to drag their brothers and cousins to auditions, but my turn-out remains the same.    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Some great stuff from NagarWSF!  I'd like to pick up on one:  "If they are not going to come to you, you gotta go to them!"

"Build it and they will come" was a great catch phrase for a movie, but it really falls far short as a marketing plan.  You need to consider strategic partnerships similar to what NagarWSF was suggesting.  Who you partner with depends on what age group you're going after.  The idea of starting with elementary kids is great - it'a a real LONG-TERM strategy, but if you keep at it, over time, you will develop a steady pipeline of talent.  I can't tell you how cool it is to watch kids "grow up" in the theatre.  My experience is that these kids also tend to group up as better students and become even better people in adulthood even if they never use the theatre skills they gain through their childhood years.

You can start at a school offering creative drama and other theatre classes, but perhaps have some of the sessions at your theatre.  Or, as a part of the "class", they will all be in a real show at a real theatre!  How cool is that?  Basically, you are casting the entire class in your show!  Hype the glamour of the theatre. 

The interesting thing about working with the schools is that you might end up tapping into others (teachers, administrators, and/or parents) who might also get involved in any number of ways with your theatre. 

Beyond schools, also look at community centers, YM/WCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, scouts, church groups, and other youth-oriented organizations.  (Scouts are interesting -- there's probably a badge they can get for getting involved!)  Use the same concepts -- start at their facility and work your way back to yours. 

Keep us posted on how things work out for you!

We're a children's theatre ... no adults, very few teens, even fewer males.  I've cast as young as 5 (never again! ) and have ages 10+ in my present show.  Next season we're dropping the age back to 8+ to try and get more boys in the troupe.  So, shows like 'Grease' or 'West Side Story' ~ while great! ~ simply won't work.  (There's just something about a 10 year old singing " ... feel your way ... " I don't know;  it's simply not the image of Sandy I want in my head!)  Besides, we only do straight plays at this point ... and our shows are all based on literature.

 Our CT has a saying, 'If you go to the bathroom standing up, you're in the show'.

Originally posted by falstaff29 How to encourage more boys to audition?  Cast hot girls.