What to do when you don't cast your best friend?
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5371
Printed Date: 4/29/24 at 9:06am
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Topic: What to do when you don't cast your best friend?
Posted By: divewench
Subject: What to do when you don't cast your best friend?
Date Posted: 8/31/12 at 1:56am
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And they take it personally? As the director, I have a responsibility to the show to cast the best people in each role. Actually, we did offer her a role, just not one that was large enough for her taste.
I know that it's not my responsiblity to cater to her insecurities, but she is my friend. Has anyone else had this issue before, and if so, how did you handle it?
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More Theatre, Less Drama!
http://www.pentacletheatre.org/
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Replies:
Posted By: edh915
Date Posted: 8/31/12 at 10:49am
It's tough, but there's nothing else you can do. After you've said, "I'm sorry, but I had to give the part to someone else because she was more suited to it than you," there's nothing more to say. If she has any class, she'll understand. I mean, she had to know that she wasn't necessarily a shoo-in; that she'd only get the part if she was the best one there.
It's happened a few times to me over the years - on both sides of the situation. It's just understood that the play comes first. You shrug it off and get on with things.
And I have to editorialize here and say that anyone who refuses a part because it wasn't "large enough for her taste" is a little lacking in the "class" department. You know the old adage about "no such thing as small roles, only small actors." It's 100% true.
To paraphrase something I read a while back:
1. A professional actor will take any role he can get because a job is a job.
2. A good student actor will look at a small role as a great learning opportunity, and pour all his talent and enthusiasm into making his "spear carrier" one of the best "spear carriers" ever seen.
3. A small-time community theater actor who's faced with a small role will turn it down because it's an "insult" to his level of talent. - An attitude that only verifies his "small-time" status.
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Posted By: Thudster
Date Posted: 8/31/12 at 11:49am
Agreed, edh915. I auditioned for a local community theater and didn't get one of the main roles, but had a VERY minor role (8 lines) written in for me. I debated dropping out, since it's a 40 minute drive for not much stage time, but decided to do it anyhow as an example to my kids -- they're teenaged actresses themselves, and I'm always telling them to be happy with the roles they get.
I impressed the director with how I was doing the role, and when one of the leads dropped out, I was tapped to replace him. I had a great time, the rest of the cast liked how I did the part, and when their fall play came around, I was offered one of the plum roles without having to audition. I turned it down originally (too much on the plate) but ended up in the role anyway when other actors decided it wasn't worth it. I also got a part in a traveling production of "The Cherry Orchard" because of my association with the theater.
And it happened because I didn't turn down a pity write-in role.
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"Hey look! That's my dad up there whacking himself with silverware!"
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Posted By: Thudster
Date Posted: 8/31/12 at 11:57am
Originally posted by divewench
And they take it personally? As the director, I have a responsibility to the show to cast the best people in each role. Actually, we did offer her a role, just not one that was large enough for her taste.
I know that it's not my responsiblity to cater to her insecurities, but she is my friend. Has anyone else had this issue before, and if so, how did you handle it? |
Something I'm dreading when I make the jump to directing. My inclination would be to cast friends (one of the charges leveled against any director), but I know that they might not be the best for the role.
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"Hey look! That's my dad up there whacking himself with silverware!"
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Posted By: Majicwrench
Date Posted: 8/31/12 at 5:47pm
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I direct in a couple tiny towns in the NW corner of nowhere, and i sometimes get the " he casts all his friends/favorites.." to that I say YUP I do. I know they are good people who will show for rehearsals, listen to my input, and create good characters. That said I cast one of my most talented actresses in a total bit parts last winter cause it was all she really fit. She took part and did her handful of lines like the young pro she is.
But if it was like a BEST friend, methinks I would aviod the situation like the plague. Best friends are forever, unlike a show.
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Posted By: divewench
Date Posted: 9/01/12 at 3:14pm
Thanks for the thoughts and insights! I am actually consdering asking her not to audition for me in the future. I refuse to be one of those directors who casts their friends regardless of whether they are right for the part, and I don't want to damage our friendship by not casting her again. I have pointed out to her that half the cast is experienced and talented actors who have accepted smaller roles. God help me if they had all had her attitude! Perhaps that will encourage some soul-searching on her part.
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More Theatre, Less Drama!
http://www.pentacletheatre.org/
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Posted By: falstaff29
Date Posted: 9/02/12 at 3:49pm
Divewench, I applaud you for putting the integrity of the show first.
I've been in uncomfortable situations where directors have inappropriately cast me over a better actor because they were my friends. Whenever I sense that I'm becoming a shoo-in, I stop auditioning for that director.
As far as whether your friend lacks class, as edh915 charges, I don't think it's fair to make that blanket accusation. Professionals take any job BECAUSE IT IS THEIR JOB. They get paid for it, and they need to build resumes, pay dues, etc., and audition for anything and everything they can. I wouldn't hold them up on a pedestal as if it's about artistic integrity. That's b.s.
Because in community theater this is NOT our job, our life, I think it is ok in some circumstances to turn down a role. Now, granted, it's unfair to a director if an auditioner doesn't do his homework; I always read the script ahead of time so that if there are roles I won't accept, I can be upfront about it--and I tend to be selective in terms of what I audition for in the first place. But except in very rare and intolerable situations, I have "stuck it out" when faced with a role I wasn't thrilled with. Nevertheless, there have been times where I've felt I needed to turn down a role or leave a production. Let he who is without sin . . . ., right?
By the way, making one's spear carrier "one of the best spear carriers ever seen" I think is a horrible goal. I've lost count of how many shows I've been involved with where some extra thinks he's the star and hams it up to get noticed. A lot of times your job as a small-role actor is to provide solid, honest, unobtrusive ensemble work with a dependable and conscientious work ethic. The best spear carrier isn't going to be noticed at all.
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Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 9/03/12 at 1:29pm
I can't argue that being "the best spear carrier ever" is a bad goal if the actor "hams it up" to get attention. However, I don't think that is what the original poster had in mind when he said that.
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David M
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Posted By: edh915
Date Posted: 9/03/12 at 8:53pm
Thank you, David. You're 100% correct. Carrying conviction into the part you're playing does not mean hamming it up, being noticed, and destroying the balance of the play. It means doing what the author - and his representative, the director - require of you.
A well-produced play can be very similar to a well-presented symphony concert. Each member of the orchestra - first chair, second and third - is playing their own individual part of a well-balanced whole; and it's their responsibility to maintain the balance that is required by the conductor. - So, too, with a well-directed cast of dedicated actors.
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Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 9/04/12 at 7:34am
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For years, back when I was still punishing myself by directing shows, I ALWAYS during auditions, state clearly and plainly to all people who showed up - including friends or people I simply did not know - one clear statement of intent. However first, I ALWAYS had friends show up to auditions - mainly because while this town is large enough, the numbers remain fairly constant with auditions and it's often always the same people - many of whom are friends. BUT what I ALWAYS said to everyone including those friends who sat there and prepared to audition was that "there are only so many roles in the show (whatever it was) and that some people will make it...many will not. BUT my decision is mine alone, solely based upon the needs of the show, my concept and vision and the appropriateness of the actor in the role and whether they can do it or not....IN MY OPINION. It is not a reflection of your abilities or willingness to do the show, but it HAS to be based upon who I think is most right for the role and consideration that the show comes first". That's pretty much what I always told everyone - including the friends that were there. Sometimes THEY WERE right for the roles, sometimes not. But they rarely ever questioned my decisions and most of them as far as I know, are still friends today.
I recall one person I would have cast that got mad at me for a few years because she wanted to do a role in a show I was directing and I didn't cast her. I DID NOT know she was mad at me but told me years later. However when a role came along that she was perfect for - I cast her, she was stellar in the role, loved doing it and the show was partly a smashing success because of her involvement. But it took years to find that right part that suited her perfectly. The mad went away and she now has fond memories of a show that featured her and gave her the deserved spotlight time she was able to enjoy.
Casting friends happens IF it works for the best of the show. IF someone gets angry, upset and bothered because you didn't cast them then they are 1) not very professional at all 2) are on their own personal ego trip or 3) aren't really your friend except when it suits their requirements. HOLD YOUR GROUND and do what's best for the show. If he or she cannot accept that then what's the point!?
Just some thoughts from MY time at the helm.
TonyDi
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"Almost famous"
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Posted By: kathyf
Date Posted: 9/04/12 at 9:12am
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And the lovely quagmire when your spouse auditions.LOL!
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Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 9/04/12 at 3:42pm
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FORTUNATELY MINE could not be less interested in getting onstage. BUT even if she did and she was good enough and right enough for a role, she would get as equal consideration for the part as anyone else as well as the rejection if she was not. Quagmire indeed it is. But if that bothers them, then something is radically wrong there!! I still would try NOT to have it appear as a choice in the interest of marital bliss if I did, nor marital problem if I did not. But if MY wife didn't like it - and she was not qualified nor right for a role - she'd either get over it or she wouldn't. But I would never compromise the quality of something for which I was hired just to keep peace at home. I generally would perhaps find a way to include her - in some capacity just to encourage a pleasant process and help her to feel as though she is contributing in a much more necessary and equally as important way. But if she gets mad - then it's time for her to grow up. It's pretty simple really - or not. Depends upon the relationship and how well adjusted everyone is. ;o)
TonyDi
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"Almost famous"
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Posted By: B-M-D1
Date Posted: 9/04/12 at 7:49pm
My best friend has auditioned for me four times, I've only cast him once. And the funny thing is that I've asked him to audition for me all four times. We're still best friends. He knows what the deal is and our friendship has not suffered because of it. Just because you may be my friend and/ or I've asked you to audition for me, it is NEVER a guarantee that you will be cast. The same has held true for some of our community theatre "rock stars" that we have in my area. They may sometimes be the most talented actor in the room but if they aren't right for a role it's unlikely that I'll cast them.
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Dying is easy, comedy is hard.
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