Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Auditions

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Sonrise
Walk-On
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Joined: 2/01/05
Location: United States
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Posts: 0

Topic: Auditions
Posted: 2/01/05 at 4:08pm

I've done this many times before but this time it hits a little closer to
home.

I'm directing a religious play that I wrote. I've called all the surroundig
churches, handed out flyers, and even anounced it in the paper, radio and
internet about auditions this Sat.

However, I haven't gotten one response. I know that doesn't mean
anything. But I was at least expecting one call for info or directions.

Anyone have this happen to them, and know what I can expect? I don't
want to cancel the show because no one showed up for auditions

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Mike Polo
Admin Group

Community Theater Green Room

Joined: 2/01/04
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 286

Posted: 2/02/05 at 8:09am

Sometimes it works out that way... for whathever reason; timing, schedules, the play, etc. I am currently directing a play at a well established theater for which I had not a single soul turn out. I ended up casting by invitation. The cast is thrilled to be there, I'm having a ball, and the play should be good. Life goes on. By the way, I've been directing at this theater for 15 years and have a good reputation. Sometimes people just aren't interested. Hold the auditions and see what happens. Then make up your mind whether to cancel or try to put the show on anyway.

Mike Polo
Community Theater Green Room
http://www.communitytheater.org

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Topper
Celebrity

Joined: 1/27/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 543

Posted: 2/02/05 at 3:07pm

Congratulations!
While just about all directors and playwrights have
anxiety about their shows being unsuccessful, most
save their panic until tech week or opening night.
You've managed to doubt yourself even before
auditions!
Relax! You're jumping the gun way too soon. I agree
with Mr. Polo's advice -- hold the auditions first, see
who (if anyone) shows up -- and THEN start
worrying!
If worst comes to worst (nobody shows up) then I
suggest you spend your time frequenting other
productions -- community theatre, college, high
school and even professional theatre -- and compile
your "dream cast" from those actors you've seen
performing.
Then stop backstage after the show or give 'em a
call, tell them who you are and either offer them the
part outright or the chance to audition. Most actors I
know would be thrilled to receive such notice from a
director or playwright. They might even suggest a
colleague or two who's also looking for work.
Good luck!

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

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Sonrise
Walk-On
Walk-On

Joined: 2/01/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0

Posted: 2/02/05 at 3:41pm

I've already put the word out to those I have in mind for certain parts.

And I'm notorious for worrying. Thank God my husband is my assistant
director. He knows how to get me to relax.

Yeah I'm gonna see what happens at auditions. Who knows. I'm just so
excited about the show and nervous as well.

thanks for the advice

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

Posted: 2/02/05 at 9:56pm

Mike & Topper are spot on!

As you have a cast it in your mind!

Give ?em a call!

Warm props ?n luvvies tend to wet themselves, when being personally invited to audition.

But ensure you don?t give any promises, they might make pay for it latter, even if they get a part! Because you can guarantee it is not the one they wanted or expected, though they originally said otherwise!

bless their cotton socks!

"once more into the breach" - Charge!

Best of luck!

chookas [may you always play to a full house]

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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Scott B
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Joined: 12/08/04
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 239

Posted: 2/02/05 at 10:41pm

I know a lot of community theatres that frown on pre-casting a show ... defeating the purpose of being community and all. However, there are those times you have to take the proper steps.

I've proposed to direct Forever Plaid in 2006 and the first thing I did before I even proposed the show was to make a few calls to find out if some of the guys would be interested. I wanted to cover my behind before I committed to the show.

For whatever reason we seem to run into the same situation ... just not many showing up for auditions. The shows usually do very well, but it does get tiresome trying to fill parts at the last minute. That's why we now try to at least have someone in mind and ask them to show up.

One other thought ... many large churches have memberst that take an active part in Easter or Christmas shows. Perhaps you could make an attempt to have one of the churches "sponsor" you show. You might be able to draw from some of the congregation to fill the roles.

Best of luck.

Scott

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

Posted: 2/02/05 at 11:40pm

Bewdy Scott!

Pre-casting is not what we should be about!

However no matter how you dig them up, you end up filling roles with anyone who has 2 feet & a heart beet, but sometimes even that is not a prerequisite!

The lives of community thespians change from minute to minute & you have to be an insulated optimist, keeping your knee jerk in check!

As it is said constantly in the BBC ?Dads Army? by Corporal Jones [Clive Dunn] " Don?t panic Captain Manering?DON"T PANIC!!!!"

You can react too quickly, when cast?n concrete!

Not forgetting what can happen on opening night & also you have that to look forward to?

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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Scott B
Celebrity

Joined: 12/08/04
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 239

Posted: 2/03/05 at 10:00pm

Boy ... in my perfect world it would be great to put an ad in the paper, use some flyers, and maybe have a write-up in a weekly rag. Then ... we would be sitting there for hours as the actors crossed our stage ... auditioning for that coveted part.

The reality of that world is that we held our auditons at two different locations and had a total of 4 people show up. Only two of them had a schedule adaptable to any type of rehearsal schedule, so we had two that we couldn't use.

We now start out with a list of names before we even announce our choice of shows. Someday we hope to be big enough and good enough that we have to turn people away.

Scott

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Author	Message
Sonrise Walk-On Joined: 2/01/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Auditions Posted: 2/01/05 at 4:08pm
	I've done this many times before but this time it hits a little closer to home. I'm directing a religious play that I wrote. I've called all the surroundig churches, handed out flyers, and even anounced it in the paper, radio and internet about auditions this Sat. However, I haven't gotten one response. I know that doesn't mean anything. But I was at least expecting one call for info or directions. Anyone have this happen to them, and know what I can expect? I don't want to cancel the show because no one showed up for auditions

	IP Logged

Mike Polo Admin Group Community Theater Green Room Joined: 2/01/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 286	Posted: 2/02/05 at 8:09am
	Sometimes it works out that way... for whathever reason; timing, schedules, the play, etc. I am currently directing a play at a well established theater for which I had not a single soul turn out. I ended up casting by invitation. The cast is thrilled to be there, I'm having a ball, and the play should be good. Life goes on. By the way, I've been directing at this theater for 15 years and have a good reputation. Sometimes people just aren't interested. Hold the auditions and see what happens. Then make up your mind whether to cancel or try to put the show on anyway.
	Mike Polo Community Theater Green Room http://www.communitytheater.org
	IP Logged

Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 2/02/05 at 3:07pm
	Congratulations! While just about all directors and playwrights have anxiety about their shows being unsuccessful, most save their panic until tech week or opening night. You've managed to doubt yourself even before auditions! Relax! You're jumping the gun way too soon. I agree with Mr. Polo's advice -- hold the auditions first, see who (if anyone) shows up -- and THEN start worrying! If worst comes to worst (nobody shows up) then I suggest you spend your time frequenting other productions -- community theatre, college, high school and even professional theatre -- and compile your "dream cast" from those actors you've seen performing. Then stop backstage after the show or give 'em a call, tell them who you are and either offer them the part outright or the chance to audition. Most actors I know would be thrilled to receive such notice from a director or playwright. They might even suggest a colleague or two who's also looking for work. Good luck!
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
	IP Logged

Sonrise Walk-On Joined: 2/01/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 2/02/05 at 3:41pm
	I've already put the word out to those I have in mind for certain parts. And I'm notorious for worrying. Thank God my husband is my assistant director. He knows how to get me to relax. Yeah I'm gonna see what happens at auditions. Who knows. I'm just so excited about the show and nervous as well. thanks for the advice
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 2/02/05 at 9:56pm
	Mike & Topper are spot on! As you have a cast it in your mind! Give ?em a call! Warm props ?n luvvies tend to wet themselves, when being personally invited to audition. But ensure you don?t give any promises, they might make pay for it latter, even if they get a part! Because you can guarantee it is not the one they wanted or expected, though they originally said otherwise! bless their cotton socks! "once more into the breach" - Charge! Best of luck! chookas [may you always play to a full house]
	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

Scott B Celebrity Joined: 12/08/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 239	Posted: 2/02/05 at 10:41pm
	I know a lot of community theatres that frown on pre-casting a show ... defeating the purpose of being community and all. However, there are those times you have to take the proper steps. I've proposed to direct Forever Plaid in 2006 and the first thing I did before I even proposed the show was to make a few calls to find out if some of the guys would be interested. I wanted to cover my behind before I committed to the show. For whatever reason we seem to run into the same situation ... just not many showing up for auditions. The shows usually do very well, but it does get tiresome trying to fill parts at the last minute. That's why we now try to at least have someone in mind and ask them to show up. One other thought ... many large churches have memberst that take an active part in Easter or Christmas shows. Perhaps you could make an attempt to have one of the churches "sponsor" you show. You might be able to draw from some of the congregation to fill the roles. Best of luck. Scott
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 2/02/05 at 11:40pm
	Bewdy Scott! Pre-casting is not what we should be about! However no matter how you dig them up, you end up filling roles with anyone who has 2 feet & a heart beet, but sometimes even that is not a prerequisite! The lives of community thespians change from minute to minute & you have to be an insulated optimist, keeping your knee jerk in check! As it is said constantly in the BBC ?Dads Army? by Corporal Jones [Clive Dunn] " Don?t panic Captain Manering?DON"T PANIC!!!!" You can react too quickly, when cast?n concrete! Not forgetting what can happen on opening night & also you have that to look forward to?
	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

Scott B Celebrity Joined: 12/08/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 239	Posted: 2/03/05 at 10:00pm
	Boy ... in my perfect world it would be great to put an ad in the paper, use some flyers, and maybe have a write-up in a weekly rag. Then ... we would be sitting there for hours as the actors crossed our stage ... auditioning for that coveted part. The reality of that world is that we held our auditons at two different locations and had a total of 4 people show up. Only two of them had a schedule adaptable to any type of rehearsal schedule, so we had two that we couldn't use. We now start out with a list of names before we even announce our choice of shows. Someday we hope to be big enough and good enough that we have to turn people away. Scott
	IP Logged

Topic: Auditions( Topic Closed)