Picking cast for smaller events?
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1839
Printed Date: 5/01/24 at 6:52am
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Topic: Picking cast for smaller events?
Posted By: Berushka
Subject: Picking cast for smaller events?
Date Posted: 5/05/06 at 9:26am
| I'm with a community light opera company and occasionally we get opportunities to sing (for money) at events outside of our regular annual show. There is often limited space, so we can't take everybody who wants to sing. There is also a small contingent of longtime chorus members who have basically been given a pass to be in the big shows (even though everyone has to audition), but whose voices would stand out in a smaller setting, and not in a good way. We have tried inviting individual people to participate, but once word gets out the company is upset that the opportunity wasn't made available to everyone. On the other hand, we want the best voices to represent our group. How do we handle this? |
Replies:
Posted By: Mike Polo
Date Posted: 5/05/06 at 9:35am
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I think I'd hold an audition periodically for a travelling chorus; maybe semi-annually or annually. That way you've already got your chorus set, which will make it easier to know what you can accept and what requests you may have to reject. Set it up so that you have more people than you need, in case of illness or previous plans, then you can pick and choose as you need to in order to suit the venue. ------------- Mike Polo Community Theater Green Room http://www.communitytheater.org http://www.twitter.com/CTGreenRoom"> 
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 5/05/06 at 7:48pm
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In regards to chorus members not knowing their own lack of skill . . . Have you ever tried having them listen (not watch) a recording of the chorus singing and point out the flaws? It really helps people to know what needs improvement and how they differ from your ideal singer. It would also be good when doing auditions that you make an audio recording of different people together to listen to the blend. I know many a "solo" singer who would be horrible in a small group because they can't breathe properly and can't blend their voices with others. I also know some powerful singers who can't sight-read and actually sing by listening to others around them--putting them slightly off beat--not really noticeable in a large choir but definitely a problem in an ensemble piece. For the good of every company, people wishing to be chosen for special parts should also be willing (and tough-skinned enough) to be evaluated. ------------- |