Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Leads

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ooliemartha
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 3/13/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Topic: Leads
Posted: 3/18/09 at 8:28am

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imamember
Celebrity

Joined: 8/18/08
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 121

Posted: 3/18/09 at 12:25pm

We have a mix of the same so-so people and some very talented people all the time and occasionally we'll get someone that's really good that seemed to come out of nowhere.

As far as who get's the lead...the best person gets the lead generally.

Area high school theatres generally give leads to juniors or seniors though which I disagree with because when those people audition for our shows they expect the same seniority treatment to go on and it doesn't work that way.

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peacock
Star
Star

Joined: 3/03/09
Location: Bangladesh
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 58

Posted: 3/24/09 at 10:49am

I work with high school drama. I would suggest 50% ability, 25% experience and 25% attitude when casting leads. Kids really count on seniority, but this year I had a junior with twice the talent of the senior. I took a lot of flak for choosing the junior, but in the end we were all glad she had the lead.

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alwill
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 11/12/09
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7

Posted: 11/12/09 at 11:32am

In order for any CT to survive long term, "newbies" have to be equally considered for lead roles or they will quickly lose interest. Therefore, after a few years, you'll find yourselves faced with the problem of selecting only shows that are age appropriate for your "pre-determined" regulars.

Al
Lake City Community Theatre

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chel
Celebrity

Joined: 6/20/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 106

Posted: 12/15/09 at 1:15pm

I took a chance last year on casting two new actors in a show that the play-reading committee had assumed would be given to veterans. One of which hadn't acted in 20 years, and never had a leading role.

I go with my instincts as well as their resume' and audition. These two women brought an energy/charisma that I really wanted.

Sometimes it's "safer" to go with a veteran, so you don't have to find out the hard way if someone is good to work with or not. My last directing spot I worked with mostly new people, including people who hadn't acted much, simply because that was what was available. It was still a success, even if you have to "teach" people "how" to act.

chel

www.windhamtheaterguild.org

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Gaafa
Celebrity

Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1181

Posted: 12/15/09 at 6:12pm

My first consiideration is they need 90% Attitude & the balance made up with aptitude &/or experiance.

I request that no resumes are required, as the majority of which is primarily shere blather skite rubbish.

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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Gaafa
Celebrity

Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1181

Posted: 12/29/09 at 11:41pm

I prefer new leads as I find them far easier easy to work with, as they generaly have no preformed twists, tangles, crimps & kinks.

Put them straight in aq properly worked rolled cast, load them up & switch on.

Only time, over loading, use & abuse will let them down.

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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Poll Question: How are principal roles cast in your community theatre?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
Newbies and veterans have equal chance.	20	[60.61%]
Same so-so people, Every single time.	2	[6.06%]
Same awesome people every time.	0	[0.00%]
If one helps out, it can give the edge when 2 are equal.	11	[33.33%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted

Polls
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :About the Community Theater Green Room :Polls

Author	Message
ooliemartha Walk-On Joined: 3/13/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Leads Posted: 3/18/09 at 8:28am


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imamember Celebrity Joined: 8/18/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Posted: 3/18/09 at 12:25pm
	We have a mix of the same so-so people and some very talented people all the time and occasionally we'll get someone that's really good that seemed to come out of nowhere. As far as who get's the lead...the best person gets the lead generally. Area high school theatres generally give leads to juniors or seniors though which I disagree with because when those people audition for our shows they expect the same seniority treatment to go on and it doesn't work that way.
	IP Logged

peacock Star Joined: 3/03/09 Location: Bangladesh Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Posted: 3/24/09 at 10:49am
	I work with high school drama. I would suggest 50% ability, 25% experience and 25% attitude when casting leads. Kids really count on seniority, but this year I had a junior with twice the talent of the senior. I took a lot of flak for choosing the junior, but in the end we were all glad she had the lead.
	IP Logged

alwill Walk-On Joined: 11/12/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 11/12/09 at 11:32am
	In order for any CT to survive long term, "newbies" have to be equally considered for lead roles or they will quickly lose interest. Therefore, after a few years, you'll find yourselves faced with the problem of selecting only shows that are age appropriate for your "pre-determined" regulars.
	Al Lake City Community Theatre
	IP Logged

chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 12/15/09 at 1:15pm
	I took a chance last year on casting two new actors in a show that the play-reading committee had assumed would be given to veterans. One of which hadn't acted in 20 years, and never had a leading role. I go with my instincts as well as their resume' and audition. These two women brought an energy/charisma that I really wanted. Sometimes it's "safer" to go with a veteran, so you don't have to find out the hard way if someone is good to work with or not. My last directing spot I worked with mostly new people, including people who hadn't acted much, simply because that was what was available. It was still a success, even if you have to "teach" people "how" to act.
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 12/15/09 at 6:12pm
	My first consiideration is they need 90% Attitude & the balance made up with aptitude &/or experiance. I request that no resumes are required, as the majority of which is primarily shere blather skite rubbish.
	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

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 12/29/09 at 11:41pm
	I prefer new leads as I find them far easier easy to work with, as they generaly have no preformed twists, tangles, crimps & kinks. Put them straight in aq properly worked rolled cast, load them up & switch on. Only time, over loading, use & abuse will let them down.
	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

Topic: Leads( Topic Closed)