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

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!  

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.

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

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.

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!