Active TopicsActive Topics  Display List of Forum MembersMemberlist  CalendarCalendar  Search The ForumSearch  HelpHelp
  RegisterRegister  LoginLogin
Acting
 Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Acting
Message Icon Topic: Graciously saying, "No Thanks" ?(Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post Reply Post New Topic
<< Prev Page  of 7 Next >>
Author Message
Mike Polo
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Community Theater Green Room

Joined: 2/01/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 286
bullet Posted: 8/07/06 at 8:31am

Originally posted by jphock

 (what do you call al male prima donna?) 

 

prima donald

Mike Polo
Community Theater Green Room
http://www.communitytheater.org
IP IP Logged
KL Murphy
Player
Player
Avatar

Joined: 8/03/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0
bullet Posted: 8/07/06 at 8:46am

Thank you all very much for the input.  At auditions I put on my application/audition sheet that I was interested in Nicely Nicely, and after auditions I had a moment with the director so I mentioned that I have some other time demanding hobbies so any role offered I'd have to consider, "Is this worth leaving wrestling for a month."  He was very happy and thankful I told him that up front.

Later I got the call to be Nicely Nicely!

www.klmurphy.com
IP IP Logged
Mike Polo
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Community Theater Green Room

Joined: 2/01/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 286
bullet Posted: 8/07/06 at 9:20am
Congratulations!
Mike Polo
Community Theater Green Room
http://www.communitytheater.org
IP IP Logged
castMe
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 11/02/05
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 206
bullet Posted: 8/07/06 at 4:57pm
Mike  LOL

I'm stealing that one.
Investigate. Imagine. Choose.
IP IP Logged
opalviolet
Lead
Lead
Avatar

Joined: 9/09/06
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 33
bullet Posted: 10/02/06 at 10:50am
I also struggle with turning down roles because I don't want to come across as being a prima donna who will only accept the lead, but just like a previous reply, sometimes, I'll only accept a smaller role because of time and travel considerations.  As an actor, I appreciate when asked what roles I'll accept.  In the last audition I did, I was cast in a part I didn't want.  Readings were to be done in callbacks, but the director decided to cast the show strictly on singing auditions.  I had planned to read for the role I wanted.  If I had been asked on the form or by the director what roles I'd accept, my turning down the role wouldn't have been necessary.  From now on, whether asked or not, I'll let the director know during the first audition what roles I'll consider.  As a director, I always ask upfront so I don't have to recast if someone turns down a role they don't want to begin with. 
Don't become so consumed with yourself that you forget the importance of family and friends, and service to God and your community.
Opal Violet
Singer/Actor/Playwright/Director/Producer
IP IP Logged
Guests
Guest
Guest

bullet Posted: 10/02/06 at 2:50pm

I used to be of the camp that you take actors at their word when they will accept any role.  I now work a little differently:

I ask on the audition forms if they will accept only particular roles or roles of a certain size (principal, supporting, minor, or walk-on).  I also allow them until the beginning of the first rehearsal to change their minds. 

That early in the rehearsal period, no one has attached themselves to a character if I need to move the cast around a bit, and I usually have at least one person who can fill the spot, or the spot isn't really necessary but I wanted to give the cast member a chance to be on stage.

What really irks me is when someone rehearses for two weeks and then want to pull out because of the time commitment--especially since I give them the rehearsal schedule in advance, before auditions.

IP IP Logged
red diva
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 5/15/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 199
bullet Posted: 10/02/06 at 2:55pm

Having a place on the audition form for "which roles will you accept" and "will you take another role" are a good route to go, but certainly not foolproof.  I have had people say they will take any role (thinking, perhaps, that it shows what gung-ho troupers they are) only to turn down anything but the lead.  For heaven's sake, be honest!!! If you don't want anything but the lead, tell the director!!! If he is worth his salt as a director, he won't think any less of you and will much prefer that to having you refuse a role after he has spent a lot of time and effort choosing combinations of actors that would work together as an ensemble, or to having you drop out after rehearsals have started. (After reading that last sentence, would you believe I used to teach English?)

However, looking at it from the actor's viewpoint, I once auditioned for a Sondheim musical, listing three roles I would take, and answered that I would not take any others.  The director ignored my choices, and told me that I would be playing another role.....I pointed out to her that I had not indicated that I would be willing to play that role. She looked surprised and upset, saying that she was sure that I had....which indicated to me that she hadn't even looked at that section of the audition sheet.  

I guess what I'm saying is that there is no foolproof method of insuring that someone will take the role offered, or that the director will offer you the role you said you would play.  

"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"
IP IP Logged
red diva
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 5/15/06
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 199
bullet Posted: 10/02/06 at 2:57pm

Mike:  wouldn't a male prima donna correctly be called a "primO Donald"?  Oh, wait....my ex-husband's name is Donald, and "primo" would not be a term I would apply to him.

Seriously, I think it's "primo don", isn't it?

red diva

"I've worked long and hard to earn the right to be called Diva!"
IP IP Logged
MartyW
Celebrity
Celebrity
Avatar

Joined: 2/02/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 555
bullet Posted: 10/02/06 at 3:02pm

I agree with Diva... If they have indicated that that is all they will take, I take them at thier word... If I have talked to them and feel there might be a "Possiblility" that they would take something else and I think it fits them, i will say "I know you said no, but I would just like to run this by you.. If it is still no, I understand, no hard feelings.."

 

 

(Diva.. Hiding already?  "A Sondhiem show"  Go ahead an gripe.. I won't tell... lol)

Marty W

"Till next we trod the boards.."
IP IP Logged
Mike Polo
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar
Community Theater Green Room

Joined: 2/01/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 286
bullet Posted: 10/02/06 at 3:11pm

Correct latin usage? Here? Come on, Red!

Truthfully, I never thought it out... it just came out of my mouth that way.

Mike Polo
Community Theater Green Room
http://www.communitytheater.org
IP IP Logged
<< Prev Page  of 7 Next >>
Post Reply Post New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums version 8.05
Copyright ©2001-2006 Web Wiz Guide
buy generic cialis are in line cialis canada outcome for yourself viagra sales cost saving benefit viagra uk convert your buy phentermine online pay phentermine cod payment Lenders Everything xanax online your existing xanax overnight absolute must free incest stories online The value gay incest advance The key free dog sex pics cash flow dog sex the reduced noise free gay college guys of the period gay guys