Well, Emro, you can always look at it this way:  at least you don't have to break anybody's heart by not casting him/her.  We have always been short on people to audition and the first time we had to turn someone down it was really hard.  (Believe it or not, we have even added parts when it meant that we'd have to turn one or two people down otherwise...)

Sometimes we get pretty full of ourselves and think that we need professional quality acting, singing, etc, etc.  But really, what is our objective?  Sometimes giving people a chance to participate and have a great experience has to be a part of that objective.  Sometimes looking at the picture from a different point of view can make us more willing to accept and be grateful for what comes our way in the way of people, resources, etc.

I do our High School plays.  We are a small town and have only 230 Kids in our school. Thats K-12!!  Needless to say, with only about 100 high school kids all trying to do baseball, softball, track, cross country, golf, basketball, band, choir, quiz bowl, etc... etc.. etc.., we have a dificult time getting enough kids motivated to take on one more thing.  But we do have a very small, very dedicated group of kids who just love theater.  We were doing very small straight shows, with minimal stage. (that is untill the guy with the terminal CT habit showed up) (Yup, me)  The kids wanted MORE. They wanted to do some of the named shows. Two years ago, I got some of the teachers involved and with a better than average showing from the High School we were able to put on Once Upon A Mattress.  Last year's approach was to look to ways of stretching the meager budget and do one of the biggies at the same time.  As a member at 5 CT's, I have access to alot of help and materials. As it was something the core wanted to do AND something I had plenty of costumes and set peices available for, we decided on The Sound of Music. Now, even with teachers playing, thats a pretty tall order for our school.  It got even worse, however, when one of the Cheerleaders decided she didnt like that show.  Of course she talked to her click and they to their boyfreinds and before you know it, we have a VERY small showing of High Schoolers. Not ever to be out done by CT Boards or Precocious Pom Pom beaters, we decided to open not only to the teachers, but our community as well.  As the play lends itself ( and requires) Middle School and Elementary age kids, we were able to combine all our assets and put together a cast of 45!!!!!!!  Not bad...

I know you are dealing with a middle school problem, but maybe somekind of "expansion" of your working pool could help?

MartyW

I had the same problem. Right out of college I took over a drama program at a high school that hadn't had a program for years. I got five people to audition, and one was there because he missed his bus. He came to watch auditions while he waited for his ride. The cheerleaders didn't have practice. I cast him.

I did what Tristan did. I selected a play to suit what I had to work with, and what the school gave me to work with. I was hired in April. The principal wanted a big musical before the end of the school year and there was $81.00 in the budget. We did Reader's Theater.

I ran the program for 8 years. The last show I did there was Grease. I had 65 students involved between the cast, tech and the pit, and there was way more the $81.00 in the budget.

My advice is work with what you've you got, and build your program. It is okay to switch gears and select a play that you know will work for you. Good luck.

Linda

When I was in High School the Drama teacher always cast himself in the musical every year (he played Mr Doolittle in My Fair Lady) it always worked out great for and him. I would agree with the idea of picking the play to suit the kids you do have, after all this is about education, not pleasing the critics. pick a show and make it the best you can. if the rest of the kids in the school see how much fun the cast and crew are having maybe they will want to try out next year.

good luck.

At one area high school/middle school, the drama teacher brings in a college student to play a lead role.  This gives the college student "guest artist" credit on the resume, and the school students the chance to work with an almost-professional actor.  She did this for "Ugly" in HONK and "Tevye" in FIDDLER.  This method can give you a strong core to the show.  I've worked on shows where everyone had to be cast.  We just had to work through it and show that, no matter what, we could do a quality performance.