Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Auditions question

Message

   For those of you that direct ... do you allow parents to sit in while their child is auditioning?

I don't typically direct shows with kids, but this time around it's Music Man, so I have to have them.

My reasons for not wanting parents in the room are ... one, that the parent being present could cause undo stress on the child.  And two, that the parent is really ticked because their child "did a wonderful job" in their audition.

I've auditioned myself where they've allowed parents in the room and I've never felt like it's a good idea, so I think I know what I'll do.  But ... am I missing any advantages to letting the parents in?

Author	Message
Scott B Celebrity Joined: 12/08/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 239	Topic: Auditions question Posted: 12/16/13 at 12:55am
	For those of you that direct ... do you allow parents to sit in while their child is auditioning? I don't typically direct shows with kids, but this time around it's Music Man, so I have to have them. My reasons for not wanting parents in the room are ... one, that the parent being present could cause undo stress on the child. And two, that the parent is really ticked because their child "did a wonderful job" in their audition. I've auditioned myself where they've allowed parents in the room and I've never felt like it's a good idea, so I think I know what I'll do. But ... am I missing any advantages to letting the parents in?

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Aimee Celebrity Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 156	Posted: 12/29/13 at 2:58pm
	I work with high school kids regularly. I would say no parents in auditions...ever. We even try to keep them out of rehearsals as well. It just creates undo stress on everyone. If you have to correct a child, with the parent present it can get ugly. I have worked with middle school kids as well.. and no parents are in auditions then either. We do have parent help through out our production, but we do try to keep them at a distance or they can try to take over, no matter how unintentional or well intended they may be. good luck!
	Aimee
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VPA1 Star Joined: 10/20/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 54	Posted: 3/23/14 at 3:08pm
	No, I don't let parents in for auditions, nor for rehearsals. I establish that early in the audition information portion of the audition and most are comfortable with that. I find that the presence of the parent is distracting at best to the child, and at worst I feel the omnipresent stare of the parent over my shoulder.
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