Kids trying out for Community Theatre
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2710
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Topic: Kids trying out for Community Theatre
Posted By: 4ofustogether
Subject: Kids trying out for Community Theatre
Date Posted: 10/03/07 at 3:38pm
| I just wanted to hear others options on children in community theatre. I have two daughters that love to be in plays. The first one they tryout for they made, but since then they have not made another callback, but I notice that it is always the sames kids that get callback again and again and make the cast. Is there some kinda of trick? I know every parent believe their child is talented but, how can my kids improve if they are never giving another chance. I have put them into acting workshops and classes. I just want to know if this is just how community theatre works and if my kids just have to keep at it, if this is truly what they want to be involved with. Thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: Debflo
Date Posted: 10/03/07 at 4:49pm
| At my Ct we do cast some kids in our mainstage shows (usually as chorus or small parts,) but for the most part the kids have their own programs. We have a Teens program and a young childrens program. The few kids that do get cast in mainstage as chorus are the ones that help other areas as well (paying their dues, so to speak) so those kids may be running the box office for a show, or painting the set, etc. Our kids and teens program is always popular and casting is diverse and fair. I'm not sure if this is how its done at other CTs but it seems to work for us. |
Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 10/03/07 at 5:00pm
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Same here. There is a kids' program and a teens' program. They have their own shows. There are also performances that are the culmination of classes. When there is large main stage production, some kids are cast in the chorus. To be honest for those small parts, so the town doesn't look like it is made up of only people over 20, they are often the children of the adult performers and technical people. It is just easier. For named roles ie. "Winthrop" in the Music Man. It is the same criteria as for an adult actor. Can they do it?
Linda
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Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 10/04/07 at 4:58pm
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First of all let me start with your children may not fit into any of what I am about to say. I don't know them, I only know the kids I have worked with in the past. I happen to believe in the old WCFields addage "never work with dogs and kids". However we still do it on a regular basis. I certainly hope that your kids are trying out for children's parts and not adult parts. Kids are no different than adults when it comes to how we want to work with. Directors and producers are looking for good all around people. Sometimes the child may be wonderful onstage and a terror off. I'll be blunt there are kids that have been in a show we have done that we simpley blacklist in our minds for one reason or another. They may have been mean or hard to handle or not listen or most annoyingly thought they were adults. The other thing that some kids have that hold them back is (and once again I'm not saying you are) their parents. We once had a parent that threatened to sue the theatre because her child wore a diamond necklace to the theatre and lost it. The parent was sure we stole it. Needless to say it would be very difficult for that child to get another part. Your kids may be angels and the best on stage since Mickey Rooney, I'm just offering another possibility. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 10/04/07 at 7:31pm
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Patrick, I knew you would bite rise to this one... I do agree with the general premis of all the responses... And yes, the best place for kids is in kids shows... If there is one done at your theater and a kids still not getting parts, some of patricks comments about that childs "history" could be valid in that case.. If however the kid is trying out for parts way outside thier age range, they should not be surprised when they are not selected. If however, we are talking about kids roles in an other wise adult main stage show, the most important thing for them to remember is that it is an adult community theater show and they want to be the kids who get selected to "play" again than thier best plan is to "act" like adults.. (not as in Patricks complaint, but as in their decorum and responsibities) It has to be remembered that most of the adults in the show are there to relax and be adults and not have to worry that their are kids in the show.. They need to be as serious about thier responsiblities as everyone else.. Many kids fit this bill and are really a pleasure to work with (and though he probably wont admit it, I've heard patrick say it) Unfortunalty, many kids dont fit this paradigm and they and or thier parents become a problem (or just an "annoyance" . Another recomendation is for them to hone thier skills in school shows and kiddie theater.. I'm afraid some of this sounds harsh, but I assume your here to actually hear why your kids "might" be being passed over...
------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: 4ofustogether
Date Posted: 10/05/07 at 10:00am
| The plays my children have tried out for are under 18 cast ONLY. I know my kids are not perfect angels, but the production my children were in, I worked behind stage as a kid rangler and they were very well behaved. They do understand that being in a play is a great honor and appropriate behavior is always needed. All I am saying it that I sat through all the tryouts and there we many talented kids that tryout and didn't make it, I don't necessary thinks my kids should make every play or any. I am not one of those stage moms that hovers over my kids, my kids have just had a lot of disappointment in their lives and it is hard to see them not succeed in something they really enjoy. My kids are going to continue to take acting classes and tryout and maybe they will have better luck in the future. Thanks for the advise and I also know that my children's behavior is a reflection on me and that is why I always except them to respect all adults and always give their all. |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/05/07 at 10:20am
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Is there another theatre group near you or are you stuck with this one? ------------- 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} |
Posted By: 4ofustogether
Date Posted: 10/05/07 at 10:53am
| I am pretty sure it is the only one that using kids on a regular basis. It is their bread and butter. They have lots of workshop and classes for kids and summer camp, school day off programs. Really it is a wonderful community theatre. I think I took that last tryout too personal, but I am over it now and if my kids really want to do this, they do have to learn that there come a lot of rejection with it. I did this stuff when I was young because my older sister loved acting and she was very successful as an Adult. She moved to New York and would have made on Broadway, but she died during a Europene Tour of Jesus Christ Super Star. I couldn't handle the rejection, so I stopped trying out and did other activites I enjoyed. I will let my kids decide on whether they want to tryout again or not. The next tryouts are for many months, so my kids will take class and be better prepared. I think they got a false since of security when the first time they tried out, they made it, so I know this is a good learning experience for my kids and I am super proud of them for even being able to up infront of a large crowd and do the tryouts. |
Posted By: Debflo
Date Posted: 10/05/07 at 11:08am
| It sounds like you are very well prepared, and you are preparing your kids very well for how theatre works. Not knowing this theatre, it could be that they play favorites with the other kids, or it could be that those other kids (that get cast alot) are just the best they have. Either way - if your kids really want to be involved then I would suggest they take any role they are offered, and if not offered a role, they ask to help with sets, costumes, tech crew - anything to show the director they will be good to work with. That will raise the chance of them getting cast in the future. I do direct shows for our Teens program in my CT, and that is what I would be looking for. If I had a kid that really wanted to be in a production, but I didn't think they were right for it, and they offered to work on crew I would be much more inclined to cast them in the future. |
Posted By: 4ofustogether
Date Posted: 10/05/07 at 11:13am
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Thanks for the advise. My kids will keep trying. |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 10/05/07 at 11:41am
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Again, I agree with all. That a good training program helps, if not cast join the crew, keep trying theater comes with rejection... But I do want to add one more thing... Its not fair, but very often directors will go with proven commodities or, in the adult world, thier friends.. it happens.. ALOT.. Getting a "chance" can be a long time in comming.. Hopefully thier desire wont give out first... Break a leg! ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: 4ofustogether
Date Posted: 10/05/07 at 1:32pm
| Thank you for saying that. Now I know the feelings I had about the auditions were not just far fetched. One child that made a part for this next play, and to my knowlegde has only tried out for two plays and made a speaker part in that one too, is related to a big star and I just knew there was more too it then being the right person for the part. This child does have talent, but I saw (and not my kids though) many other kids that didn't get parts that really out shined this child. It just doesn't seem fair, but that's life. It isn't fair and the rich and powerful will always get their way more then us common folk. Thanks for listen, your comments have help a lot. |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/05/07 at 11:45pm
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Your feelings would be more than likely be inline with the other parents, as you have outlined the situation. But it is not so stange that this does go on in ameatre & even with the pros. Lets face it this kind of things happen, even in the best of circles. I think this is added value grounding for you daughters, to grow from in this game. In fact the time will come when only one will miss out, which can be a drama in it's self! I know my grand daughter went thru something similar with so called drama school & theatre for the tin lids. I though I had messed it up, when I directed 'a chorus line' & excluded her because she was just too young & also being my grand daughter. She was 16 & they had to be 17 as a minimum age to be in the show. We had about 400 who auditioned, yet there was only 17 needed on the Line. So I boosted the cast by adding 8 extras & created dance pieces to back songs like 'At the Balet' by having them dance behind a scrim, along with other supporting scenes. To give them something to do besides at the beginning & end of the show. Anyway we had video taped all the auditionees & I was over ruled By the production team to include my grand daughter. I advised my daughter & explained she was on her own & would have to handle things like, "you only got in because of your grand dad" - which I didn't want to exspose her to. But she gave as good as she got & learnt how to handle it - [They are like water, they will find thier own level.] I had to recast & promote all the male extras & 2 of the females into the Line for the show. My grand daughter was not one of them, although she was old enough by then, could dance, sing, play the piano & Trombone. She was still my grand daughter! I know she learnt a lot from the situation, so much so she wants to start her up a theatre group. I believe it did her more good than harm & it would stand her in good stead in the future - at least that's my hope! Anyway besides all my woffle, I think your girls will be far better prepared to take the knocks, by doing it the hard way, they will gain a great attitude - Get them to keep on keeping on & pushing it up the hill. As there is plenty of room at the top apparently!  ------------- 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} |
Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 10/08/07 at 7:09am
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The one thing I haven't seen mentioned anywhere here is the fact that someone is often cast because they look the part. I've personally cast someone because they look like I want a character to look over someone who might be a bit more talented. (Face it, Tiny Tim can't be 6' tall and weigh 200 lbs!) :o) ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 10/08/07 at 11:44am
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True.... Nan.. True.. I was just going on the assumption that all things were actually equal... Not fair, but equal.. ------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: whitebat
Date Posted: 11/26/07 at 9:11pm
| I know the kids who got into our last show had some special qualities. Being a child of one of the actors (or dragging Mom to the audition and making her audition too!), being able to sing, being able to play the recorder, previous experience acting. Oh, and parent/guardian willing to work backstage. It is not mainly a troupe for kids, but a lot of shows have roles for a few kids. Our biggest problem with the kids was parents who didn't want them out that late on a school night, or couldn't figure out how to feed them supper at a decent time. I have to say, many of them were better behaved and more professional than members of the adult CT I acted in one show with in HS. I have also seen directors kids and HS kids younger siblings cast in shows because of the family connection. |