My Producer did not like my casting choice (using a female instead of a male for an either/or part) and wanted to "discuss" the fact that I had changed something she thought we had made a decision on.  I simply listened to her suggestion and did what I thought best. 

 

I'm concerned that this kind of "consultation" may end up applying to other creative decisions I make, and I have never worked with a Producer who has demanded this.  They've always worked in an organizational aspect, not in any creative expression.  This is also what I have read in regards to their "the Producer is responsible for every aspect of the show", in an administrational way, not artistic way.

 

Would the voices of experience clear this up for me?

 

As I said, I will never knowingly take a directing position that demands that kind of restriction.  I simply am not going to accept that kind of treatment.  It's only happened to me once - well that is, it was TRIED and I had to argue with the producer for a solid....A SOLID 45 minutes defending MY position.  I was accused of casting "friends" over the local people - HARDLY ANY of which showed up to audition and none were right for the roles.  The people I cast, I DID know but were not personal friends....just people I'd worked with before.  And this so called producer - well she was a domineering individual who thought she owned the theater just because she'd been there since it's inception.  She is no longer part of the company, she was not-too-politely told to stay away and had created so many problems with directors, techs, actors, that she drove everyone away - no-one would audition, help or anything because of her.  She almost ran the place into the ground and it's a decent venue.  JUST her attitude of superiority and arrogance kept people from WANTING to be involved. Needless to say things have improved since she's been gone and the company is actually thriving at this point.

 

Anyway, tough to deal with - but if they didn't define that this is how they do business BEFORE you took the position, then you have every right to cast whomever you please - ALWAYS!! THAT is what they hire you for - your experience and expertise at putting together a group of people that will provide for the best possible theater experience and a show that works.  Beyond that - it's their problem

 

TonyDi

 

In most of the C.T.'s I have worked, though the director is responsible for the artistic vision of the show and should have the final say, most things are actually done by committee... In my home theater we have a Casting Committee for each show. It is usually made up of the Director, Producer, Music Director (if any) Choreogropher (if any) and in some cases the Board Advisor, and Excecutive Director, or just someone the Director has invited to help.  As for the artistic side, when the producer/director calls a produciton meeting (hopefully early on) the director will usually state his needs to the team.. "I need it.." (dark, sinister, light, cheary, cartoonish) etc to fit the vision.  "It calls for.." (a street scene, and interior, a bridge.. whatever)  I need doors up right, center, entrances from aisles etc etc... I see the characters in a follow spot here and here.. Costumes should be modernistic, traditional whatever.. etc  etc etc..  Then the TEAM goes to work, adding thier creative arts to the process..

 

As for the informing your producer of your choice before finalizing, none of the 5 theaters where I've been known to hang my hat, would ever have a director make those choices in isolation... and for me as a director, thats a good thing.. I like the give and take, the other possibliites that my preset may not be allowing me to see.. BUT, when all is said and done, its the directors choice... But for your producer, I can see where they would be upset to not be in the loop  IMHO

 

I did listen to her suggestion about a man playing the role, (which writers gave permission to change), and waited for one to read for me, but he changed his mind.  Then a woman wanted it and she read well, so I simply went ahead with it.  The casting of this show has been very difficult and taken over a week to do, some auditions done over the phone.

 

I have never worked with a Producer who makes creative decisions...ever.  It's one thing if I cast a drug addict, or order a disco ball for "Carousel", it's another if it's a female vs. male. 

 

Sad to say, I will not work under a Producer who is my Creative Consultant.  Why "hire" me if they didn't want me to interpet the script, create a vision, and work with everyone to make it happen. 

 

Lesson learned though, some theaters and producers prefer this and it should have been clear to me before this. 

 

Thank you for your experience.

 

You have my support in your feelings.  I have asked input from other directors and stage managers on certain situations but it was always clear and they respected the fact that the final decision was mine.

 

 Glad you're having that discussion to clear the air.  Wishing you the best with the situation.

 

PS I've never auditioned anyone over the phone, however.  I have, however, been forced to take "warm bodies" when all other avenues have been exhausted. 

It was an interesting meeting...

 

just interesting, I can't really describe it any other way.  Other than it went on longer than I had hoped it would, no matter how I hope or try, meetings don't keep short for me. 

 

She's going to dislike that role and that person no matter what, but...we're almost, kind of, sort of on the same page. 

 

They actually wanted to know what to do if she's lousy!  I laughed, "well, I hope she doesn't suck."  It wasn't funny to them.  I explained, that's the risk with community theater, some are great, some stink, some have a great audition and a lousy performance and vice versa.  Since I did auditions over the phone with some I have no guarantees at all.  They're worried about one role not working because it's a woman, I'm gambling with phone calls. 

 

Phone call auditions:  Describe yourself.  What work have you done before?  What will you be reading from?  Thank you, go ahead.  You didn't suck, congratulations, you have the part. 

 

God help me.

It is funny, though in a painful way, how many folks don't get it...  When dealing with Community Theater (now don't get your collective nickers in an uproar, I know some CT's are nearly professional, and we all strive to be, however) sometimes you have to take what you get..

 

Sometimes an unknown walks in a blows you away.. then, come show time, you see nothing, or at the best, no great improvement on what you saw at audition..  Sometimes you get no one and hit the phones (not usually for unknowns, but a call for help.. ) Bring on the warm bodies..  

 

But as they have always said, the show must go on.. Sometimes, it is not what you had hoped for and you get to the final weeks and have to "settle" for as good as its gonna get. But you do your best. Hopefully, so does your staff and cast. 

 

I have had, what I thought were, great shows.. But, because of lack of auditioners, we have had to beat the bushes and fill the roles. None the less, the actors were great and sold the roles.. But NOT without the suspension of belief on the part of the audience... They were definitly out of type and many too old for thier parts.. They threw their hearts into it, and pulled it off, yet many critics harped about bad director choices in casting... hello.. what choices..

 

as I said in the previous post.. Were I work we do "consult" with the rest of the staff.. But the decision and responsiblity are the directors.. I'm sure you made the right choice for what you were given...  Good luck and as you closed your last "God help you..."