I'm getting ready to audition our school musical this week.  I'm also on the board for the local CT, and just got the email announcement of the cast for their next show, which auditioned this weekend.  One of my students, one who I was considering for a significant role in my show, was on that list.

Now, I'm not sure of this student's intentions.  I was in a show with her this summer, and at that time she was incredibly excited about the HS show.  I know her mother is directing the CT show, which may result in either a lot of cooperation or absolutely none.  The CT normally rehearses Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday, while my high school show will rehearse Monday, Tuesday, Thursday.  Their show is a pretty short rehearsal- only five weeks compared to our eleven.

In short, I would be perfectly willing to give her up for one rehearsal a week if they would do the same.  Heck, since it's only for five weeks, I don't think I'd mind giving up two rehearsals some weeks (especially their production week).  It would require some serious planning on rehearsal schedules, but if she is the best fit for the part I have in mind, it should be doable.

Assuming that she (and her mother) is willing, has anyone ever dealt with something like this- sharing one actor between two shows?  What should I be concerned about?


Edited by MusicManD - 8/21/11 at 11:42pm

  If you have oodles of HS kids available, I'm all for finding someone else. If she is a good kid, wants to do both, and the show needs her desperatly, then I would deal with it just like any other conflict.

My musical last year had 20 kids try out and only 16 stuck through to the end.  This year, I've drummed up a lot of interest (I hope) and optimistically am planning for 30 auditioners.  I try really hard to fit the show to the kids I have, and I picked this show (Seussical) with her (as well as several others) in mind.  Right now, two days before, I have 17 kids signed up for audition times.  Experience tells me that 25% of those won't show up.  :-)  I haven't started really beating the bushes yet, but in short, yes, I need all hands on deck.

I did chat with her today.  She told me that the CT show, "Orphan Train," is set up in vignettes and thus her part is small and contained.  That, coupled with a five week rehearsal for the CT show, might be the thing that makes this doubling process work.  So we'll move ahead and see what happens...

Sometimes I wish I could do two shows, especially in the summer when I have a lot of free time.  Honestly, the reason I joined the board of our CT is so I could stay involved throughout the year, despite being so busy with the school.

Otherwise, I can only do summer shows, which is challenging with only a couple of active CT groups (ours does 8 or 9 shows a year; the other one in town does about 3-4; one about half an hour up the road does about 6) and trying to make all the scheduling work.

Originally posted by jayzehr Originally posted by MusicManD Otherwise, I can only do summer shows, which is challenging with only a couple of active CT groups (ours does 8 or 9 shows a year; 8 or 9 a year? I'd really like to hear more about how that's managed.  We're only doing three a year but I'd like to do more.

What would you like to know? I can't tell you much about the nuts and bolts yet as I've just joined the board.

We do three to four musicals (one is a kids musical), one holiday show, and three to four straight shows. Additionally, the group does mystery dinner theatre for companies and groups around town.

The next show generally auditions a week or so before the previous one goes into tech week. There are four to six directors on any given season. When I was growing up in this CT, it was one director doing every show, which simply floors me today.