Do you (directors and actors chime in here) feel it is snobby or rude to turn down a part because it's not the one you want or not as big as you'd want?

I do theater and wrestle professionally.  I don't mind taking time off of wrestling to do shows, but when I get parts I don't want or ensemble I both feel weird about turning them down, but also feel weird about telling my wrestling promoter I can't make X, Y and Z shows because of theater.  Than the promoter asks if I got a big part and I must honestly explain my 3 mins of on stage time.

Thoughts?

I perfectly understand when actors are only interested in large roles. I show is a big time commitment and for certain actors it may only be worth while for a large challenging role.

As dougb said, it is best to make this know up front at auditions. When my theater does auditions we also stress to people that they should be honest about what roles they will accept and which one they won't.

I think being honest about what you'll accept is the biggest help to a director and casting committee.   For me the fact that an actor will only accept a specific role or roles makes my job easier.

I guess what I should do is clear.  Have you been with casting committees that have said, "Oh here's a Primadonna/Diva that will only accept the lead..."

I just don't want to come across like that.  For me it's just about not being worth the time spent... and less about me being full of myself. 

Just be certain to take the time to familiarize yourself with the play before you decide which roles you'll accept.

I remember one "prima-donna" who would only accept the lead roles -- no matter if he was right for them or not.  When casting a production of "Harvey" the audition form specifically asked for which role would he like to perform.

Of course, he wrote in "Harvey."

The director was tempted to cast him without ever informing him the title character of the play is an imaginary rabbit and never appears onstage.  Much amusement was garnered at the idea of making this fellow sit backstage wearing a rabbit suit for hours on end.

Unfortunately, cooler heads prevailed and the actor was too embarrassed to admit his mistake.  He was certain to read the play before his next audition.

And that's a valid reason.  I can't think why anyone would fault you for that. 

I was once offered one of the poker players in the Odd Couple and I had specifically asked to only be considered for either Oscar or Felix.  But the director was very diplomatic and prefaced his offer with I know that you indicated that you'd only accept....but would you consider.    And for a moment beacuse of the way it was presented I did consider it but because of travel to & from rehearsal it would not have been worth it for the role.   As it turns out one of the leads had to drop out and I was offered the role of Oscar. And the director was concerned that I'd turn it down because he hadn't offered it to me first - are you kidding me!?   For one of the biggest, funniest and most recognizable roles ever I jumped on that like David Ortiz on a fast ball! 

Ba Bum Chee!

Boston boy?

LOL!

I may have mentioned it here before, but I once tried to use a fake bio in a show I was not particularly proud of.  The bio was something to the following effect:

Some of (fake name)'s favorite roles have included Godot in Waiting For Godot and all the male roles in Miss Julie.

I'll be sure to use Harvey next time.

Oh, yeah, forgot to say -- I agree with everybody else here .

Let's just say a member of "the nation" in close proximity.

prima donald

Thank you all very much for the input.  At auditions I put on my application/audition sheet that I was interested in Nicely Nicely, and after auditions I had a moment with the director so I mentioned that I have some other time demanding hobbies so any role offered I'd have to consider, "Is this worth leaving wrestling for a month."  He was very happy and thankful I told him that up front.

Later I got the call to be Nicely Nicely!

I used to be of the camp that you take actors at their word when they will accept any role.  I now work a little differently:

I ask on the audition forms if they will accept only particular roles or roles of a certain size (principal, supporting, minor, or walk-on).  I also allow them until the beginning of the first rehearsal to change their minds. 

That early in the rehearsal period, no one has attached themselves to a character if I need to move the cast around a bit, and I usually have at least one person who can fill the spot, or the spot isn't really necessary but I wanted to give the cast member a chance to be on stage.

What really irks me is when someone rehearses for two weeks and then want to pull out because of the time commitment--especially since I give them the rehearsal schedule in advance, before auditions.

Having a place on the audition form for "which roles will you accept" and "will you take another role" are a good route to go, but certainly not foolproof.  I have had people say they will take any role (thinking, perhaps, that it shows what gung-ho troupers they are) only to turn down anything but the lead.  For heaven's sake, be honest!!! If you don't want anything but the lead, tell the director!!! If he is worth his salt as a director, he won't think any less of you and will much prefer that to having you refuse a role after he has spent a lot of time and effort choosing combinations of actors that would work together as an ensemble, or to having you drop out after rehearsals have started. (After reading that last sentence, would you believe I used to teach English?)

However, looking at it from the actor's viewpoint, I once auditioned for a Sondheim musical, listing three roles I would take, and answered that I would not take any others.  The director ignored my choices, and told me that I would be playing another role.....I pointed out to her that I had not indicated that I would be willing to play that role. She looked surprised and upset, saying that she was sure that I had....which indicated to me that she hadn't even looked at that section of the audition sheet.  

I guess what I'm saying is that there is no foolproof method of insuring that someone will take the role offered, or that the director will offer you the role you said you would play.  

Mike:  wouldn't a male prima donna correctly be called a "primO Donald"?  Oh, wait....my ex-husband's name is Donald, and "primo" would not be a term I would apply to him.

Seriously, I think it's "primo don", isn't it?

red diva

I agree with Diva... If they have indicated that that is all they will take, I take them at thier word... If I have talked to them and feel there might be a "Possiblility" that they would take something else and I think it fits them, i will say "I know you said no, but I would just like to run this by you.. If it is still no, I understand, no hard feelings.."

(Diva.. Hiding already?  "A Sondhiem show"  Go ahead an gripe.. I won't tell... lol)

Correct latin usage? Here? Come on, Red!

Truthfully, I never thought it out... it just came out of my mouth that way.

Welcome Jim.... Wont be long and the whole gang will be here...

I had an actress audition for me for Steel Magnolias. She listed 'no conflicts' on her audition form. She told me she would be available to rehearse right away. When I called to offer her the part of Shelby, the part she wanted, she asked if she could wait a week before excepting. That was a surprise, and not a good one. She explained she was going to audition for for another show the next day and they wouldn't be making their decision for a week. She would do my show, if she didn't cast in the other show. I gave her an hour to think about it, and when she told me that she still wanted to wait a week. I cast someone else. It turned out to be the perfect decision.  I don't know if I have advice beyond don't tell the director that their show will be your second choice, if your first choice doesn't pan out.

It seems I'm about to have the same sort of issue - I auditioned last night for SWEENEY TODD, and wasn't even allowed to read.  I suspect I may be offered ensemble, if only because they need my range (and sewing skills) - and I did put down on my FYI that I would accept it - but as has been pointed out to me by at least a dozen people today, I have a BIG voice that doesn't play nicely with others, and doesn't blend well in chorus.  Granted, I feel of COURSE that I ought to have been cast as Mrs Lovett, but I also feel I may be doing them a disservice by accepting a part in a chorus where I KNOW I can't blend.  They're supposed to be calling tomorrow...I'm not sure what I'll do. ...sigh...

Chookas SherieAnne! Being Ameatre there is always a chanceyou can still pick up Mrs Lovetts part, as things can change rapidly during rehearsals. Brushup on your pohmy accent {[Cockney] 'Fawty fowsan fefers on a frushes froat'} & utalise speak/sing for the pie song. 

I have been performing for most of my life and there are times that I have said that I will only accept certain roles, but when I didn't get that part, I have chosen to stay in the production. On those occasions, I have discovered that that was one of the best theatrical experiences I have ever had. I performed in "Blood Brothers" as Ms.Jones and in the ensemble when I was in college. I had previously said that I would only accept Mrs.Lyons and I knew it was down to me and my friend for the part. While we were in the green room waiting during callbacks, a feeling came over me. I knew that this show was going to be an unbeliveable experience onstage and off. When I received the call from the stage manager, asking me if I would be Ms.Jones, I said yes immediately. I was so happy I did. The cast was so cohesive,so close and the director was brilliant. What made it even more poignant, that professor learned he had leukemia not long after we closed and passed away a year later. The thing is, I didn't even like the show of "Blood Brothers" but now it ranks as one of my favorite times in theater.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? Where you feel the experience is going to be bigger than yourself or what you expect? Instead of saying "no sorry. I didn't get my way." saying" I'll take the experience" instead.

I teach 200 children and I didn't get the part I wanted once in a show and I looked at my director, whom I teach with, and I told her "How can I tell the children that there are no small parts, everyone is important,front row to back row, and that the company is just as important as the lead and then refuse to accept smaller roles myself?"

just some thoughts from a newbie.

Thanks!