Discouraged
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=3838
Printed Date: 11/22/24 at 8:41pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Discouraged
Posted By: nightengale
Subject: Discouraged
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 12:12am
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Hi All, I have found this site in the midst of desperation. I recently moved to Evanston, IL from NY. While in NY I did a bunch of Community Theatre musicals on LI. I am 28 and have studied singing and dancing since the age of 2. I am really getting discouraged by how difficult it has been to get a foot in the door of the community theatres here in the Chicago suburbs. I have gone to 4 auditions since September and I have only been cast in one show in a part I could not take b/c I would have been driving for an hour to rehearsals on my late days at work to sing one song. I am just a little taken aback because in NY, while I certainly didn't always get big parts or anything, I was always at least offered a part in the chorus. And I have played some supporting and lead roles. At all these auditions I've felt I did really well, which says a lot because I really am my own worst critic. So I guess what I am asking is 1. Is it normally so difficult to get into chicago theatre? 2. If not, what could I be doing wrong? I really don't want to sound conceited. I know I am not some great dramatic actress ready to win a Tony, but I was under the impression I didn't completely suck and I don't think I'm going after any roles that are too far beyond my capacity. If anyone can offer any advice or convince me not to give up and quit this stuff completely it would be greatly appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: janetk
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 10:34am
| I know nothing about the community theatre in the Chicago area, but I do know that if you love this please don't give up. There's no feeling on earth quite like being on a stage in front of an audience. Keep trying! |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 10:36am
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Although it isn't always fair, sometimes we have to pay our dues in small chorus roles when we are new to an area. Keep trying and don't give up. ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 12:53pm
| Another suggestion is to volunteer to do some non-acting jobs at the theaters. Being involved in the theaters in other ways and getting to know the people there can only help your chances of being cast. |
Posted By: chel
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:23pm
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I've been at our community theater for two years and I've auditioned for 3 shows but only had one role. One I was almost cast for, the director said I didn't look the part. (needed tall blonde, I'm short stubby brown) They have however loved how much work I've done on props, set dressings, backstage crew and one Directing job. A foot in the door might be through the back door and it's still an absolutely wonderful experience.
------------- chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org |
Posted By: Rorgg
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 3:33pm
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I'm a little farther out (McHenry) but I've been really impressed since moving here about a year back -- there are at least 5-6 active companies within a 20 minute drive of home, and at least a dozen within an hour, which I know some people will drive. I've auditioned for 3 shows since December and been cast in two, so it's not impossible to break in; it may just be the company/ies involved. One other thing -- the part I DIDN'T get, I'm pretty convinced it just came down to the fact that while either I or the guy who got the part could have done a good job, it's a show with a small cast (4) and they went with the guy who's done a dozen or more shows rather than this guy they don't know from Adam who's done one show in 20 years -- what if I was a flake? What if I was impossible to work with? In a cast that small, it's dangerous to take the chance -- I don't blame them one bit. BTW, if you don't know it, I'd recommend the NICOTH (Northern Illinois Community of Theatres) forum at www.nicoth.com to keep up on opportunities. |
Posted By: nightengale
Date Posted: 2/20/09 at 10:50pm
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Its true there is no feeling quite like being on stage. But there is no feeling on earth worse for me than than doing a great job and facing rejection over and over. Thats one of the reasons I didn't persue theatre or dance as a professional career. Dunno how long I can keep trying and failing before I start resenting moving here or spiraling back into self esteem issues I conquered from high school days. I love musicals, but not more than my mental health. I will take the suggestion of volunteering if possible though. I am involved in a variety show that I did not audition for. I am hoping my work there will get people in other groups to know me. Its just funny on my last rejection email they said they'd love to see me in another one of their shows, I'm like well for that to happen you'd actually have to cast me!! Why do they even bother with platitudes like that? It just adds to my frustration. Anyways, thanks to all of you for your support. |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 2/21/09 at 3:04pm
Of course, it looks like you're a male and Nightengale is a female. I don't know about the Chicago suburbs but that makes a big difference around here in getting a part. It might take driving an hour to sing one song to get your foot in the door, assuming you wouldn't mind driving an hour to that theater for a larger part. Also, volunteering for other positions is a good idea, too, just so people know who you are. Unfortunately, the bottom line is that all things being equal a director is inclined to go with somebody they know versus somebody new in town that they don't know. |
Posted By: Amos Hart
Date Posted: 3/21/09 at 4:17pm
You "couldn't" take it or you wouldn't? Did you say on the form that you wouldn't take anything less than a lead? Most community theatre forms ask about that. So there's one theatre you probably shouldn't audition at again. My rule of thumb is that I don't audition for any show where the total drive time is more than the rehearsal time.
For women? Yes -- at least in the western suburbs, there are always a lot more women than men auditioning.
You're not necessarily doing anything wrong. I was just cast as one of 15 guys in City of Angels. I thought there was a huge chorus involved, but the total number of women needed is 9: 4 leads and 5 chorus. There were a lot of enormously talented women who weren't even offered chorus because there weren't enough chorus parts to go around. And I mean women who habitually play leads.
Keep trying. It has nothing to do with talent; it's about how many women are competing for a limited number of roles. I'm directing two shows in the coming season (with more on the negotiating table). One show is TBA in Wilmette/Des Plaines. The other will be Chicago (pending rights) in Wheaton at this time next year. If you want to stay posted on those and other auditions, join here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CraigsTheaterList - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CraigsTheaterList
It's free.
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Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 4/03/09 at 7:51am
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One of the things that no-one seems to have mentioned - and it's something that has plagued me from time to time - is the unusual and valid idea that some directors are jealous to a degree. I literally have had directors (after the fact) tell me they were afraid to cast me because I was a director and "knew what I was doing" (just because I've had nearing 50 years experience) and they felt I wouldn't be able to "take direction". GOD I HATE THAT PHRASE!!! And I've heard it so many times - but it comes from insecure directors who in MY opinion didn't have a very good view of their own abilities and used my misperceived "inability to take direction" as an excuse NOT to cast me - when the fact was they were'nt good enough directors (or not brave enough) to work with more seasoned actors. Then too, I've had directors who didn't cast me because I had a reputation of being "difficult"!! There's another laugh. Basically what that stemmed from were shows I was in where I worked my tail off to make it better than what it could be under the director's hand - NOT usurping ANYTHING they did, not arguing against anything they wanted, just pushing myself and everyone around me to do the best possible that could be done - collaboratively, collectively and with the best interest of the show in mind - nothing selfish, nothing ego-driven, nothing unfair or unreasonable. Who WANTS to be part of a show that fails?
Likewise, it's a big market - Chicago. But there is bound to be more than one theater around. Heck I think Cinicnnati had like 24 or something like that - can't remember but it was a lot of CT's which amazed me. So maybe Chicago is just limited even though it is a big market or should be. And PERSISTENCE is always good. Showing up at every audition, being available and friendly and respectable and interested - regardless of getting cast or not - shows them at least that you're there and WANT to be part of it all. It's PERSONALITIES you're dealing with - nothing that has to do with your talent or willingness I'd say. Just personalities...some of whom might fear what you can do that would make a small theater company's regular people look like amateurs, perhaps. Hard to say - there is the jealousy issue. I doubt it's that at all. Just is sometimes hard to break in. I mean, I've worked more than 25 years in this town and while I don't do it anymore (long story for another time) - I too, would NOT get cast in everything I wanted to be involved with. Nature of the beast, fickle that it is. But don't stop trying. All it takes is ONE chance. But even THAT is no guarantee of anything beyond that. What's the phrase...."only as good as your last show"!! Doesn't mean you get the carte' blanche' from there forward.
I had to edit this and add also that there is that New York previous life you had...and that often seems to be something that a LOT of people take unfair assessment of - just because YOU lived in New York and did a lot of theater - I mean, come on!! WHO do you think you are? HAHA!! I think you get the drift. I worked with a guy who was a movie actor - did a role in some MEL GIBSON/DANNY GLOVER film - one of those cop/shoot'em up shows. Thought he was GOD's GIFT to our community theater. Lousy actor, even lousier ego. AND THAT is the perception a lot of people harbor unfairly against people who did theater in New York - so maybe that's the key. Maybe mentioning that ever might send up some people's "red flags" and thus they avoid casting you thinking you're going to be a hard-core New York actress type - bent on brining your gift to small town America - though Chicago ain't small and their theater community is powerful in the arts in this country. But COMMUNITY theater - might be a bit different attitude - don't know. Just keep plugging along I say. Ignore rejection - view it as closed doors - awaiting a better open one!!
 Good luck with it. I HOPE you find some group that is receptive and realizes what you have to offer and decides to put it to good use.
TonyDi
------------- "Almost famous" |