Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: How to word character descriptions for auditions

Message

   Hello

Our Community Theatre group is doing Chicago this summer and we are trying to find the right way to word the character descriptions to say that we want seasoned dancers with athletic builds. Also that they will be wearing skimpy flapper style costumes. 

We have always been a group that tries to cast everyone that auditions so we want to make it clear that the main roles will need to be strong dancers, singers and be able to look the part. 

Any suggestions on how to do that tactfully?

Thanks!!

Author	Message
Phlufster Walk-On Joined: 4/29/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: How to word character descriptions for auditions Posted: 12/03/12 at 11:07pm
	Hello Our Community Theatre group is doing Chicago this summer and we are trying to find the right way to word the character descriptions to say that we want seasoned dancers with athletic builds. Also that they will be wearing skimpy flapper style costumes. We have always been a group that tries to cast everyone that auditions so we want to make it clear that the main roles will need to be strong dancers, singers and be able to look the part. Any suggestions on how to do that tactfully? Thanks!!

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Majicwrench Celebrity Joined: 2/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 178	Posted: 12/04/12 at 11:21am
	Your first sentence sounds fine to me. Seasoned, althletic, skimpy, just say it like it is. Better to be up front now.
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edh915 Celebrity Joined: 11/19/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 325	Posted: 12/05/12 at 2:49pm
	I totally agree with Majicwrench. You might make a point of mentioning that there is plenty of room in the choral numbers for all who are qualified, but that the leads are expected to be seasoned, athletic, etc. As long as you let the general auditioning public know that you'll include them where you can, but that you're looking to cast the leads in a certain way, I think you'll sound inclusive enough to avoid offending anybody.
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MusicManD Star Joined: 3/21/11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 91	Posted: 2/09/13 at 11:32pm
	I agree wholeheartedly. Honestly, there are people who get upset whenever they don't get the lead, period. I was in Narnia the Musical with a fellow board member who was very upset over her part as an animal in Aslan's army. I'm not sure what she wanted- she was a 40 year old woman auditioning for NARNIA. It's not like she could have played Lucy... or Aslan, for that matter. Anyway, you'll always have that older lady who can't sing, can't dance, can't act, and is a little overweight who can't BELIEVE you didn't cast her as Velma. I think being upfront will help, but reasonable people already know what to expect, and unreasonable types will continue to be unreasonable.
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