How to word character descriptions for auditions
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=5418
Printed Date: 4/26/24 at 4:06pm
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Topic: How to word character descriptions for auditions
Posted By: Phlufster
Subject: How to word character descriptions for auditions
Date Posted: 12/03/12 at 11:07pm
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Hello
Our Community Theatre group is doing Chicago this summer and we are trying to find the right way to word the character descriptions to say that we want seasoned dancers with athletic builds. Also that they will be wearing skimpy flapper style costumes. We have always been a group that tries to cast everyone that auditions so we want to make it clear that the main roles will need to be strong dancers, singers and be able to look the part. Any suggestions on how to do that tactfully? Thanks!! |
Replies:
Posted By: Majicwrench
Date Posted: 12/04/12 at 11:21am
| Your first sentence sounds fine to me. Seasoned, althletic, skimpy, just say it like it is. Better to be up front now. |
Posted By: edh915
Date Posted: 12/05/12 at 2:49pm
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I totally agree with Majicwrench.
You might make a point of mentioning that there is plenty of room in the choral numbers for all who are qualified, but that the leads are expected to be seasoned, athletic, etc. As long as you let the general auditioning public know that you'll include them where you can, but that you're looking to cast the leads in a certain way, I think you'll sound inclusive enough to avoid offending anybody. |
Posted By: MusicManD
Date Posted: 2/09/13 at 11:32pm
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I agree wholeheartedly. Honestly, there are people who get upset whenever they don't get the lead, period. I was in Narnia the Musical with a fellow board member who was very upset over her part as an animal in Aslan's army. I'm not sure what she wanted- she was a 40 year old woman auditioning for NARNIA. It's not like she could have played Lucy... or Aslan, for that matter.
Anyway, you'll always have that older lady who can't sing, can't dance, can't act, and is a little overweight who can't BELIEVE you didn't cast her as Velma. I think being upfront will help, but reasonable people already know what to expect, and unreasonable types will continue to be unreasonable. 
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