Finding a balance - help!
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2732
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 8:05pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Finding a balance - help!
Posted By: Serafina
Subject: Finding a balance - help!
Date Posted: 10/10/07 at 10:54am
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Held auditions the other night for play have always dreamed of directing "The Lion in Winter". Thought I might have the makings of good/adequate cast (HOPE springs eternal!) then this new guy reads who is soooo incredibly perfect for the role of Henry it was stunning - energy, accent, intent, truthfullness, experience, etc.. Problem is - by comparison all other possible cast members look pathetically weak and amateurish. This IS community theatre so everyone (in theory) should have a chance to work if at all possible. Having this guy do Henry might force the other actors to work harder - but - what if they just don't have what it takes? Am concerned it will not do jusice to this beautifully written play to have one actor doing a "star turn" and the rest appear to be so weak by contrast. Most importantly, the play itself may suffer. Do I settle for the banal or an off-balance production?
Any ideas, suggestions very much welcomed! Thanks! ------------- Sera |
Replies:
Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 10/10/07 at 12:11pm
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Cast the guy who's a stunner and hope the others are encouraged to reach for his level. Sometimes it takes a great actor to motivate others to actually go above and beyond.
At a recent rehearsal, I filled in for an absent lead. The rest of the cast was amazed and followed my lead with ... for the very first time ... acting! Afterwards they told me how much fun it was and then encouraged the lead to "give them more" at the next rehearsal. It was wonderful! ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 10/11/07 at 8:17am
| This is a no brainer. Cast the great actor. I can't understand why you would consider any other option. You want the show to be worse so the other actors don't look as bad? I don't get that at all. |
Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 10/11/07 at 12:18pm
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Last year I had a guy show up to audition. He was so much more then a community theater actor that I had to ask him what he was doing at our little theater. Come to find out he was a professional actor recovering from knee surgery and was going to stir crazy sitting around. If I could work with his knee being a bit stiff, he would love to do the show. Like everyone said, "That was a no brainer". It worked out great. I'ld say do it.
Linda
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Posted By: B-M-D
Date Posted: 10/11/07 at 12:46pm
Serafina whadya thinkin! Grab this guy if he's that good! He can only make everyone else around him better. As everone's more or less stated this a no brainer. Call the guy now if you haven't already and appologize to him for getting back to him so late. ------------- BD 
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |