Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: My burning question for all directors....

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JoyExcellence
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Topic: My burning question for all directors....
Posted: 7/22/09 at 5:57pm

After auditioning recently, I am simply dying to hear the answers to this question. I have been involved in theatre for 25+ years, and I have never encountered such an audition, and I am wondering if this is something that is (or has been) done often.

Have you ever cast a musical production based on a 1 minute song and short dance combination? No cold reads from the script, no monologues and no improvisation, by the way. 50+ people who sang a short piece and danced in groups. More than 75% of these actors were people the director probably has never met or seen in a production.

This is a major musical, by the way. It is totally scripted and full of character parts as well as straight players.

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slicksister
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Posted: 7/22/09 at 8:22pm

Yes! Almost all the musicals I've worked with have been cast this way! Especially musicals with virtually no dialoge. Strange, I know but very common. Around here anyways.

The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

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jaytee060
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Posted: 7/23/09 at 7:38am

Unfortunately, this often happens. Especially when a director is facing a "big" musical. Just the logistics alone of putting together a major musical is overwhelming. So what often happens in amateur theatre is that a lot of time is spend on the music and the choreography and literally little or no time is "wasted" on the acting. After all, only the singing and dancing is important anyway. RIGHT ????

"REMEMBER ME IN LIGHT"

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Gaafa
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Posted: 7/23/09 at 8:09pm

I agree with Jaytee & Slicksister!

When I jioned the boy Scout 'Gang Show, back in the 50's in the NE of the UK. There were about 600 turned out for the auditions, held over 3 days.

All the auditions were on mass, for dialogue, singing & dancing.

The first one, only required that you walked on to DSC & delivered your name ect. From that the producer could pick up a lot from your stage presence, balance & other things, such as projection.

The next was siging on mass, the MD would walk behind rows of sigings & tap the he chose, by tapping them on the shoulder. Which was similar to that of the dancing, with a basic routine on mass.

Those that were picked gave thier name to the SM & were given the rehearsal schedule & other info.

There was only about 100 needed for the show & became 'Gangsters', by being presented with the Red Kneckerchief [scarf] at the next Gang rehearsal.

When I directed 'A Chorus Line' I handled the auditions in the same maner, for the 400 or so, who turned up. Those that missed out, were sent a complimentry ticket later.

The Association of American community Theatre, produced an article, last year about CT ayditioning. I posted the link her on this forum, but I can't find it at the moment.

It was a great article for community theatres, which set out audioning, in much the same maner & expressed 'what we are about' on the audition question.

Worth a read if you can find it!

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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greenphoenix
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Posted: 7/24/09 at 3:28am

No way! Maybe that would be a way to cut down the group to find out who can dance or carry a tune, especially for the ensemble. If it has heavy scripted parts and calls for acting talent, I would also have an acting audition with cold readings. I come from the school of thought that the acting is of the utmost importance, even in a musical. Please, how could you possibly know if all those people could cut it otherwise!

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Spectrum
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Posted: 7/24/09 at 12:16pm

It has always been my experience that acting was auditioned as well as singing and movement. In fact, more emphasis was put on acting with the minor roles and chorus parts than the leads, since they would be doing less singing and more group interaction and reacting to the leads.

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

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Gaafa
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Posted: 7/25/09 at 10:01pm

It works for me - sorry about that!

I believe, as we are working with amatuers, anyone can have ago!

Initialy I don't call for CV's or expect them to perform thier party piece or rhearsed audition monologues, just be themselves. Hence walking on stage & delivering there name ect. Then walking off!

From that I can gage a lot of things, long before they get the script or a role.

This way everone is at the same level, even if this is thier first time on the boards.

The process allows me the time to work with them & occasional uncover the surprise package, that are keen & commited to the production.

The easiest thing is to only to accept those experianced actors & what ever - but this takes away from me, why I'm even here & doing 'IT'!

{One of the most important things, comes over the Floats [footlights], is 'Keeness'.

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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JoyExcellence
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Posted: 7/26/09 at 12:29am

I can respect all director's styles- and Iappreciate the whole "everyone's equal" thing.

But, as an actor, I really love the anticipation of getting that script in my hands and just 'going for it'! I think part of the joy of acting is walking in a room, reading the sides and letting your instincts become a wonderful character. Also, as a new person... nothing is quite as exhilerating as standing in front of a director and reading those lines!

Experienced or not, all actors deserve to have a go... and whether they have done it a thousand times or never before, all should have an equal opportunity to bring a character to life.

I have cast enough productions to know that hearing someone say their name does not give me enough to know if they have a gift for a certain character. People surprise the hell out of me every time I hold auditions. I have made some pretty fantastic casting choices based on a single read. Heck... based on a single line!

To each his own!

Thanks for the replies

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Topic: My burning question for all directors....( Topic Closed)

Author	Message
JoyExcellence Player Joined: 2/21/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Topic: My burning question for all directors.... Posted: 7/22/09 at 5:57pm
	After auditioning recently, I am simply dying to hear the answers to this question. I have been involved in theatre for 25+ years, and I have never encountered such an audition, and I am wondering if this is something that is (or has been) done often. Have you ever cast a musical production based on a 1 minute song and short dance combination? No cold reads from the script, no monologues and no improvisation, by the way. 50+ people who sang a short piece and danced in groups. More than 75% of these actors were people the director probably has never met or seen in a production. This is a major musical, by the way. It is totally scripted and full of character parts as well as straight players.

	IP Logged

slicksister Celebrity Joined: 3/20/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 105	Posted: 7/22/09 at 8:22pm
	Yes! Almost all the musicals I've worked with have been cast this way! Especially musicals with virtually no dialoge. Strange, I know but very common. Around here anyways.
	The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
	IP Logged

jaytee060 Star Joined: 1/18/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 63	Posted: 7/23/09 at 7:38am
	Unfortunately, this often happens. Especially when a director is facing a "big" musical. Just the logistics alone of putting together a major musical is overwhelming. So what often happens in amateur theatre is that a lot of time is spend on the music and the choreography and literally little or no time is "wasted" on the acting. After all, only the singing and dancing is important anyway. RIGHT ????
	"REMEMBER ME IN LIGHT"
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 7/23/09 at 8:09pm
	I agree with Jaytee & Slicksister! When I jioned the boy Scout 'Gang Show, back in the 50's in the NE of the UK. There were about 600 turned out for the auditions, held over 3 days. All the auditions were on mass, for dialogue, singing & dancing. The first one, only required that you walked on to DSC & delivered your name ect. From that the producer could pick up a lot from your stage presence, balance & other things, such as projection. The next was siging on mass, the MD would walk behind rows of sigings & tap the he chose, by tapping them on the shoulder. Which was similar to that of the dancing, with a basic routine on mass. Those that were picked gave thier name to the SM & were given the rehearsal schedule & other info. There was only about 100 needed for the show & became 'Gangsters', by being presented with the Red Kneckerchief [scarf] at the next Gang rehearsal. When I directed 'A Chorus Line' I handled the auditions in the same maner, for the 400 or so, who turned up. Those that missed out, were sent a complimentry ticket later. The Association of American community Theatre, produced an article, last year about CT ayditioning. I posted the link her on this forum, but I can't find it at the moment. It was a great article for community theatres, which set out audioning, in much the same maner & expressed 'what we are about' on the audition question. Worth a read if you can find it!
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

greenphoenix Star Joined: 1/21/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Posted: 7/24/09 at 3:28am
	No way! Maybe that would be a way to cut down the group to find out who can dance or carry a tune, especially for the ensemble. If it has heavy scripted parts and calls for acting talent, I would also have an acting audition with cold readings. I come from the school of thought that the acting is of the utmost importance, even in a musical. Please, how could you possibly know if all those people could cut it otherwise!
	IP Logged

Spectrum Celebrity Joined: 4/16/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 176	Posted: 7/24/09 at 12:16pm
	It has always been my experience that acting was auditioned as well as singing and movement. In fact, more emphasis was put on acting with the minor roles and chorus parts than the leads, since they would be doing less singing and more group interaction and reacting to the leads.
	Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 7/25/09 at 10:01pm
	It works for me - sorry about that! I believe, as we are working with amatuers, anyone can have ago! Initialy I don't call for CV's or expect them to perform thier party piece or rhearsed audition monologues, just be themselves. Hence walking on stage & delivering there name ect. Then walking off! From that I can gage a lot of things, long before they get the script or a role. This way everone is at the same level, even if this is thier first time on the boards. The process allows me the time to work with them & occasional uncover the surprise package, that are keen & commited to the production. The easiest thing is to only to accept those experianced actors & what ever - but this takes away from me, why I'm even here & doing 'IT'! {One of the most important things, comes over the Floats [footlights], is 'Keeness'.
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

JoyExcellence Player Joined: 2/21/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 7/26/09 at 12:29am
	I can respect all director's styles- and Iappreciate the whole "everyone's equal" thing. But, as an actor, I really love the anticipation of getting that script in my hands and just 'going for it'! I think part of the joy of acting is walking in a room, reading the sides and letting your instincts become a wonderful character. Also, as a new person... nothing is quite as exhilerating as standing in front of a director and reading those lines! Experienced or not, all actors deserve to have a go... and whether they have done it a thousand times or never before, all should have an equal opportunity to bring a character to life. I have cast enough productions to know that hearing someone say their name does not give me enough to know if they have a gift for a certain character. People surprise the hell out of me every time I hold auditions. I have made some pretty fantastic casting choices based on a single read. Heck... based on a single line! To each his own! Thanks for the replies
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