[NEohioPAL]Re:Theatre question

[Barry Wakser]

For me, it's not so much the fact that a role has been pre-cast, but the
fact that some directors/theatres seem to be afraid to announce that fact in
the audition notice. Don't waste people's time if you already know who you
plan to cast. I can think of one director in particular who uses the same
core group of people in all of her shows. I have auditioned for her twice
and it makes me wonder why she even holds auditions. Don't hold auditions as
a "courtesy" or to make it look as if you are being open-minded about
casting. I'd rather have a director be honest about it up front.

There is nothing wrong with having someone in mind before holding auditions,
but if someone else walks in off the street and gives a better audition and
fits the role, then THAT person ought to get the role. There are those
directors who don't like to stray outside of their "comfort zone" and would
rather work with the same people over and over again instead of taking a
risk. That makes for boring theatre and a lot of resentment for those
outside of the clique.

Barry Wakser 

-----Original Message-----
From: neohiopal-admin at lists.fredsternfeld.com
[mailto:neohiopal-admin at lists.fredsternfeld.com] On Behalf Of Allen White
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 10:39 AM
To: neohiopal at lists.fredsternfeld.com
Subject: Re: [NEohioPAL]Re:Theatre question

Mark,

As a director, I've never pre-cast a role for any show.  I have asked 
people to audition because they came to mind when I was reading the 
script.  Sometimes I've cast another person after that person auditioned, 
and in some cases it has created some hard feelings, but I try to approach 
auditions as open-minded as possible.

As an actor, I'm comfortable auditioning for a show if I know a particular 
part is cast already.  If it's the only part I'm interested in, then I 
won't audition for the show, as my time is valuable.

Where I disagree with you is with regard to professional actors.  A lesson 
I learned in golf, as well as in acting, is that you only learn to be 
better by working with people who are better than you.  There's usually a 
reason those people are professional, and you can learn a great deal 
working with them.  If a theatre has the budget to pay professionals then 
their work can raise the level of the entire company.

Community theatre is theatre FOR the community as much as BY the 
community.  The audience is the most important thing - they're paying the 
money to see the best show you can give them.  Each performance is a 
learning experience, and as much as I try to mentor new people in the shows 
I direct, I try to learn from those who are stronger than me in the shows I 
perform.

Allen White

At 09:04 AM 5/5/2006, you wrote:
>
>  Michael,
>
>You make a good point.
>I think auditioning is a great experience but there is a part of me that 
>believes as you do.
>This is my hobby.  I do not have time to waste auditioning for a show that 
>has been pre-cast.
>
>It has happened to me more than once.
>
>I do not like this practice of pre-casting shows because it prohibits 
>another actor that may be better for the part from auditioning.
>It seems close minded and clique-y.
>
>In this day when most theaters struggle to cast shows it would seem to me 
>that the plan would be to keep auditions open and all parts available in 
>an attempt to generate a greater turn out at auditions.
>
>My high school director taught me something that I have never forgotten.
>No matter how talented you are; no matter how experienced you are; no 
>matter how good you may be for a role, there is someone out there more 
>talented, more experienced, and perhaps better for the part than you are.
>
>I have no problem with a director who has someone they know in mind for a 
>part and that they ask that person to audition for them.  As long as that 
>director keeps an open mind at auditions and realizes that someone better 
>for the role may come along.
>
>I think that theaters and directors should abolish the practice of 
>pre-casting and/or casting professional actors.
>
>It is called community theater.
>
>At the very least, if a theater or director has pre-cast a part or parts 
>in a show, they should notify the public within their audition notice.
>
>Some do.  Most do not.
>
>Take care,
>Mark DePompei


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Ohio Premiere of James Sherman's "From Door to Door" produced by the JCC in
association with Tri C East Theatre Arts. Directed by Fred Sternfeld;
featuring Liz Conway, Jeanne Task & Barbara Haas. May 4-21. Tickets.com.
Special pre-show and post-show appearance and talk-back by playwright James
Sherman at the Saturday, May 13 performance.
http://www.fredsternfeld.com/fromdoortodoor.htm
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