Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: An Unexpected Role

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ravenwork
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Joined: 1/29/05
Location: United States
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Topic: An Unexpected Role
Posted: 1/29/05 at 8:51pm

Greetings,

The local community theatre is doing 1776.

I love the show, and really, REALLY wanted Richard Henry Lee. My audition went well, but I didn't get the part. Instead the director put me in as John Witherspoon.

I never expected to be John Witherspoon. It grates on me that Witherspoon is made out as such a buffoon when in reality, historically, he was one of the most forceful and eloquent of the signers. Hell, Peter Stone, the librettist, gave one of Witherspoon's quotes to the Steven Hopkins character. Even more disappointing to me, Witherspoon is an entirely non-singing role. Because of the plot, he can't even participate in any of the chorus numbers. I do musical theater for the music more than the acting.

I am really having trouble seeing myself in this role, but I REALLY want to do my part.

This is tough. I haven't had this happen before.

Thoughts? Experience? Suggestions?

ravenwork

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Gaafa
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Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
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Posts: 1181

Posted: 1/29/05 at 10:15pm

Raven the production being Community amdram, it follows that most warm props, even leads may suffer from unforeseen circumstances & social commitments1 The make up of the show will completely change & be different, by the time it hits the boards!

Stick to it - you have got a role now!

But if you pull the pin, you will have only 2 possible chances left;- no chance & buckleys! And yours won?t be one of them!

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}

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Kathy S
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Joined: 8/21/04
Location: United States
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Posts: 303

Posted: 1/29/05 at 10:22pm

It is hard to cope with disappointment when you have had your heart set on a particular role. If you have ever directed, then you know how difficult casting can be...so many elements to fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Sometimes there are two or three actors who will fit for a particular role, but only one who will work for another. The director has to shuffle the deck until he/she finds some kind of mix that will work. Try to have belief and trust in your director -- the director wants you to look good.

And communicate. Request a private conference with your director to ask questions and be sure to convey that you are not wishing to undermine the director's authority or question his/her choices or taste, or that you are not grateful for having been cast. Discuss the character in whose role you have been cast (I am sorry - I am unfamiliar with the show) and see how your view of the character fits with your directors. Maybe there are some compromises which can be made -- maybe the director doesn't see this character as the buffoon that you see him as.

Finally, try to see this as an OPPORTUNITY to hone your acting skills instead of focussing on the loss of a singing role. It may lead to other more challenging roles and interesting relationships. Insist on looking at the positive side. Good luck! Keep an open heart and mind.

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Topper
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Joined: 1/27/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 543

Posted: 1/30/05 at 9:51am

This is another excellent example of the adage
"There are no small parts, only small actors." First of
all, be thankful you got cast! I'm certain there are
dozens of actors who didn't even make the callback
and quite a few more who weren't cast at all.
Remember, there are thousands of reasons why
someone doesn't get the part they want (They're too
tall, too short, too old, too young, they remind the
director of the kid who used to beat him up on the
playground in third grade, or the guy who stole his
girlfriend in college, etc) There's really only ONE
reason an actor gets a role: the director thinks
they're right for that part. Plain and simple. Maybe
your vocal talents weren't what was in the director's
mind for Richard Henry Lee. Maybe he needed
somebody of a different height in that role. Maybe he
owed a favor to a friend. Who knows? Who cares?
Take the role you've got and make the best of it.
Make the part your own. Make it unique. Make it the
best damn rendition of John Witherspoon ever to be
in a production of "1776"! And please stop whining.
It's only going to make it more difficult to cast you in
the next production if you go around moping or
bad-mouthing the director's decisions.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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ravenwork
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Joined: 1/29/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 0

Posted: 1/30/05 at 1:54pm

Whew!

I am really grateful for everyone's thoughtful words here.

First rehearsal is tonight, and I needed to vent prior to the real deal. I would NEVER want to whine and mope around the director or my fellow actors. I know that others were turned away, and besides I would just feel plain wrong acting so immature. Still, I had the feelings, and I just needed to get them out there.

It really helped to get this out in the open air.

My sincere thanks!

ravenwork

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mark_j
Lead
Lead

Joined: 11/28/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 31

Posted: 2/01/05 at 6:25pm

I understand you were venting, but you bring up a good point. I've been there several times before, but last year it worked out.

I'm a tenor. I've worked hard to be a tenor. And when our community theater did Music Man so I was excited. Unfortunately all our tryout songs for men were baritone songs (my voice does not go low). The music director was a former teacher and I kept bugging her to play "76 Trombones" higher. Irked, she stuck it in the stratosphere but I was able to handle it. I came back 3 days later to look on the bulletinboard- they gave me a speaking part.

I stuck with it. I went to the rehearsals. Fortunately/unfortunately early on the high tenor in the quartet they chose for the School Board couldn't do it, so I ended up with the part I wanted after all.

This year it was "Wizard of Oz." All the male songs are for baritone. I tried out and sang my way right into a tech position. However, I happy in the sound both. I realized I peaked with Music Man, now I can cruise along in any part and be satisfied.

I've come to learn if you want to be in the theater in the future, you better help where they need it today. Every cast will be different. Every show will have new opportunities. The key is to stay involved.

Mark J.

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Gaafa
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Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1181

Posted: 2/01/05 at 7:50pm

While reading your post Mark, I thought the punch line might be, you ended up playing Dorathy!

Your dead right, in saying the object is;- when it's a good thing - stick to it!

With Amdram it is never set in concrete, by it's nature - It changes from day to day!

G'donya Mark!

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}

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Author	Message
ravenwork Walk-On Joined: 1/29/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: An Unexpected Role Posted: 1/29/05 at 8:51pm
	Greetings, The local community theatre is doing 1776. I love the show, and really, REALLY wanted Richard Henry Lee. My audition went well, but I didn't get the part. Instead the director put me in as John Witherspoon. I never expected to be John Witherspoon. It grates on me that Witherspoon is made out as such a buffoon when in reality, historically, he was one of the most forceful and eloquent of the signers. Hell, Peter Stone, the librettist, gave one of Witherspoon's quotes to the Steven Hopkins character. Even more disappointing to me, Witherspoon is an entirely non-singing role. Because of the plot, he can't even participate in any of the chorus numbers. I do musical theater for the music more than the acting. I am really having trouble seeing myself in this role, but I REALLY want to do my part. This is tough. I haven't had this happen before. Thoughts? Experience? Suggestions? ravenwork

	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 1/29/05 at 10:15pm
	Raven the production being Community amdram, it follows that most warm props, even leads may suffer from unforeseen circumstances & social commitments1 The make up of the show will completely change & be different, by the time it hits the boards! Stick to it - you have got a role now! But if you pull the pin, you will have only 2 possible chances left;- no chance & buckleys! And yours won?t be one of them!
	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}
	IP Logged

Kathy S Celebrity Joined: 8/21/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 303	Posted: 1/29/05 at 10:22pm
	It is hard to cope with disappointment when you have had your heart set on a particular role. If you have ever directed, then you know how difficult casting can be...so many elements to fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Sometimes there are two or three actors who will fit for a particular role, but only one who will work for another. The director has to shuffle the deck until he/she finds some kind of mix that will work. Try to have belief and trust in your director -- the director wants you to look good. And communicate. Request a private conference with your director to ask questions and be sure to convey that you are not wishing to undermine the director's authority or question his/her choices or taste, or that you are not grateful for having been cast. Discuss the character in whose role you have been cast (I am sorry - I am unfamiliar with the show) and see how your view of the character fits with your directors. Maybe there are some compromises which can be made -- maybe the director doesn't see this character as the buffoon that you see him as. Finally, try to see this as an OPPORTUNITY to hone your acting skills instead of focussing on the loss of a singing role. It may lead to other more challenging roles and interesting relationships. Insist on looking at the positive side. Good luck! Keep an open heart and mind.
	IP Logged

Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 1/30/05 at 9:51am
	This is another excellent example of the adage "There are no small parts, only small actors." First of all, be thankful you got cast! I'm certain there are dozens of actors who didn't even make the callback and quite a few more who weren't cast at all. Remember, there are thousands of reasons why someone doesn't get the part they want (They're too tall, too short, too old, too young, they remind the director of the kid who used to beat him up on the playground in third grade, or the guy who stole his girlfriend in college, etc) There's really only ONE reason an actor gets a role: the director thinks they're right for that part. Plain and simple. Maybe your vocal talents weren't what was in the director's mind for Richard Henry Lee. Maybe he needed somebody of a different height in that role. Maybe he owed a favor to a friend. Who knows? Who cares? Take the role you've got and make the best of it. Make the part your own. Make it unique. Make it the best damn rendition of John Witherspoon ever to be in a production of "1776"! And please stop whining. It's only going to make it more difficult to cast you in the next production if you go around moping or bad-mouthing the director's decisions.
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
	IP Logged

ravenwork Walk-On Joined: 1/29/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 1/30/05 at 1:54pm
	Whew! I am really grateful for everyone's thoughtful words here. First rehearsal is tonight, and I needed to vent prior to the real deal. I would NEVER want to whine and mope around the director or my fellow actors. I know that others were turned away, and besides I would just feel plain wrong acting so immature. Still, I had the feelings, and I just needed to get them out there. It really helped to get this out in the open air. My sincere thanks! ravenwork
	IP Logged

mark_j Lead Joined: 11/28/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Posted: 2/01/05 at 6:25pm
	I understand you were venting, but you bring up a good point. I've been there several times before, but last year it worked out. I'm a tenor. I've worked hard to be a tenor. And when our community theater did Music Man so I was excited. Unfortunately all our tryout songs for men were baritone songs (my voice does not go low). The music director was a former teacher and I kept bugging her to play "76 Trombones" higher. Irked, she stuck it in the stratosphere but I was able to handle it. I came back 3 days later to look on the bulletinboard- they gave me a speaking part. I stuck with it. I went to the rehearsals. Fortunately/unfortunately early on the high tenor in the quartet they chose for the School Board couldn't do it, so I ended up with the part I wanted after all. This year it was "Wizard of Oz." All the male songs are for baritone. I tried out and sang my way right into a tech position. However, I happy in the sound both. I realized I peaked with Music Man, now I can cruise along in any part and be satisfied. I've come to learn if you want to be in the theater in the future, you better help where they need it today. Every cast will be different. Every show will have new opportunities. The key is to stay involved. Mark J.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 2/01/05 at 7:50pm
	While reading your post Mark, I thought the punch line might be, you ended up playing Dorathy! Your dead right, in saying the object is;- when it's a good thing - stick to it! With Amdram it is never set in concrete, by it's nature - It changes from day to day! G'donya Mark!
	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}
	IP Logged

Topic: An Unexpected Role( Topic Closed)