too old/ too young
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Acting
Forum Discription: Q&A about auditions, character development and other aspects of the craft
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2327
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 3:49am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: too old/ too young
Posted By: lola
Subject: too old/ too young
Date Posted: 4/02/07 at 12:48pm
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hi. i'm an enthusiastic 18 year old in a community that is mostly retired people. the local community theatre is doing "The Rainmaker", and i would love to play the role of lizzie. i have played older roles before because there arnt many people that do community theatre around here under 50, but it was always a favor-for-a-freind-after-auditions-when-they-cant-find-anyone-that-age-thats-any-good sort of thing.
of course, theres much more interest in this show than usual, and i wanted to know if anyone had any sugestions to posibly help me look 27. i thought about breaking out a little ben nye old age make up....i'm just kidding. i'm tall and already look mid-twenties, not 18. but is there something else i should try to do? maybe dress older or even a little shadow under the eyes?i really do read well for the part, but i just hate it when the director says "i wish you were just a little older/younger/thiner/chubbier/taller/shorter/ect.". any advice? ------------- you know you work in community theatre when your couch has been in more shows than you have. |
Replies:
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 4/03/07 at 2:35am
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unfortunately there is not a lot to be done about this issue of not "looking" right for a part, a director will always have at least a vague visualization of the characters in their mind before auditions even start, a smart director is able to look past that preconceived notion when appropriate and cast the person in front of them who is most likely to deliver the performance they want, but not all directors are smart, as for looking 27, well I'm 27 and the main thing I would tell you is to dress nice and simple so that it is easy for the director to imagine you in costume and make-up and see what a difference that alone can make, also, be confident! someone whos 27 should be a little more comfortable in their own skin than an 18yr old would normally be ------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: red diva
Date Posted: 4/03/07 at 7:34pm
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PLEASE don't mess around with trying to make yourself look older! By far the best approach is to give the best darned reading that you can at auditions. Know the character, prepare, read and reread the play, and arrive at the auditions full of confidence that you are ready to give a good, honest reading.
It really depends on who else shows up. If someone else of the right age is there and gives a reading equal or superior to yours, well..... But if not, then......!!
Go for it, and break a leg!!
------------- "I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!" |
Posted By: lola
Date Posted: 4/03/07 at 9:22pm
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thanks, but i just came back from the audition and i dont think its good news. i got a call back from last nights audition, but it dident go so hot tonight. its just an age thig i geuss, but its just so frustrating to think that its something i just cant change. oh well. thanks for your help! ------------- you know you work in community theatre when your couch has been in more shows than you have. |
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 4/03/07 at 10:53pm
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Don't be discouraged, I got a rejection call for the Odd Couple once where the director just said right out that he liked my reading but the actors playing Felix and Oscar would come off as perverts if he cast me as a pigeon sister. It happens, you just have to get on stage wherever you can, learn everything possible and then when you're 24 and the right age for everything, you'll be prepared. ------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: lola
Date Posted: 4/04/07 at 8:01am
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thanks again.24? i have something to look forward to ------------- you know you work in community theatre when your couch has been in more shows than you have. |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 4/05/07 at 5:55pm
| I'm sure there are at least a few of us here who wish we had the problem of looking too young for a part :) |
Posted By: theGeneral96
Date Posted: 4/06/07 at 2:45pm
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Been where you are. When I was in my early twebties, all the shows in our area called for 30-40 yearold characters. After a few years with no luck at auditions,("you just look too young for-insert char. name here") I managed to convince a long time director that I could look like what she needed. I usuall do 1-2 shows a year since. Best of luck and don't get discouraged!
ps-I'm 34 now and playing 45-50 yearolds! How I wish I looked too young now!!!!  ------------- It's been Surreal! |
Posted By: avcastner
Date Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:21pm
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Working with youthful actors (teens), I am constantly casting teenagers as older people. If you want to be believable, work on a higher-pitched, thin voice, a change in posture, and a change in walk. If it is a comedic role, bring a cane and use it hilariously. You can do it! ------------- |
Posted By: falstaff29
Date Posted: 4/17/07 at 5:28pm
| Lola, Don't worry about it too much. Speaking as a director, I can say that appearance (unfortunately) does matter. As an actor, I can say that it'll even out- I've been rejected from roles because of my appearance, but it's also on occasion given me the edge to beat out my competitors. |
Posted By: Kurt Muller
Date Posted: 5/04/07 at 5:12am
For what it's worth, Lola, I'd like to say "Well done!" for wanting to appear in theatre that only caters for the oldies. You sound like an empathetic person, and that's what an actor needs to be.
As far as looking older is concerned, I think it's a trick. Not all older people behave like old people, and they're the ones who don't "look old". And it's a fact that some young people look rather old before their time.
Think of someone you know who looks or even seems older than she/he is. What exactly makes her/him that way? Get that right, and all you'll need is a little makeup to complete the illusion.
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Posted By: jaytee060
Date Posted: 5/12/07 at 3:00pm
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My best advise to you would be to prepare yourself for the audition well. Know the play and know the character. Get a copy of the script prior to auditions and become familiar with the dialogue and the style of writing. If you give an excellent audition, being a bit younger or a bit older will not be a major factor. As a director, I have often cast roles against type and age. My main concern is getting the best possible performance. If I believe you as an actor, I can overlook the age difference. And so will the audience. Best of luck to you and I am sure you will make a wonderful Lizzie.
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Posted By: jdlewallen
Date Posted: 9/05/07 at 1:04pm
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Wow...I wish OUR director had your attitude. Don't get me wrong - I love her as a director for the most part, but her casting drives me insane! We are currently auditioning for "All My Sons", and I would absolutely KILL for the part of Chris or even George. However, I am 35 and the majority of people who show up are in their mid-20s. Add to that the fact that this director gets tunnel vision regarding the "age" of actors/characters, and I am screwed, despite the fact that I totally blew everyone else off the stage with my reading last night.... *SIGH* Soooo, I get the callback for the doctor, while it will be the meatier parts going to some young hack only because of their age. What really kills me, though, is that if it were one of our other two usual directors, this wouldn't be an issue...... The one thing about this business that just makes me want to bash my head on the wall..... ------------- "Every theatre is an insane asylum..." ---Franz Schalk (1863-1931) |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 9/05/07 at 6:57pm
| What about the father? Isn't that the meatiest part in that script? |
Posted By: jdlewallen
Date Posted: 9/06/07 at 9:32am
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LOL...I'm not THAT old yet...besides, it seems our artistic director managed to somehow land that part... ;-) I think Keller is an interesting character, but the real meat of it is Chris and his transformation. Keller would probably be the next most complex, followed by George, who has only one scene, but it is the most pivotal of the script. All of which is moot, since it seems I am to be shunted to the good doctor most likely....an interesting , yet almost pedestrian part by comparison.... ------------- "Every theatre is an insane asylum..." ---Franz Schalk (1863-1931) |
Posted By: whitebat
Date Posted: 11/26/07 at 12:51am
| I would suggest dressing to indicate the age of the character (maybe more formal or conservative than you usually wear). I can't say it's worked spectacularly well in real life though. I am 27 years old and a substitute teacher. I routinely get asked if I am a "new student" at the middle school and high school. Maybe if I wore a suit... It may seem like looking younger than your age is a funny thing to complain about, but it really isn't funny, particularly when people don't take you seriously because of it. |
Posted By: jclarinet
Date Posted: 3/16/09 at 4:10pm
| Funny topic, my daughter did not get called back for Peter Pan, because she was "too young". She's 20. They chose an older woman, 30+ who could not sing as well and had a very flat affect. |