A Strange Question..

College Majors Musical Theater Majors
1

<p>Frankly, I am a bigger girl. I would like to think I carry myself well and that I do not look as much as I weigh. </p>

<p>In shows, I can keep up with dance as much if not more than everyone else. I am a relatively active person (in my off time I work at a Girl Scout camp, so I do lots of hiking and the like), so I don’t feel… well, fat. But in musical theatre, a tough crowd to please, I feel the exact opposite. </p>

<p>I have felt hesitant about majoring in musical theatre because of my weight. I know I’m meant to perform, but should I just go ahead and major in a field that I will probably be more successful in (ie opera/vocal performance)? I have equal passion for both sides of the spectrum.</p>

<p>My question is, will this make a difference when it comes to applying to musical theatre programs? Should I bother?</p>

2

<p>Georgeanne - I am in no way an expert, but I am struck by your question “should I bother” and if you and I were friends, I would say YES, you should bother! If you don’t go for your dreams you may find regret later. You may or may not get results you hope for, but you will have tried. All of the incidentals (weight, height, hair color, etc.) are a factor in every audition, so that is nothing specific to you alone.
I do believe that a confidence in yourself, just as you are, will come across as positive. If you are reluctant to “let your light shine” because of your weight, that will be seen also and may be more of a factor than the weight itself.
I’m just saying - follow your heart and your dreams. The absolute worst thing that will happen is you will face some rejection, learn something about yourself, then move on. That is what ALL these kids go through, so jump on in and go for it!</p>

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<p>Thank you for your response. I am committed to following my dreams, but I am wondering if this will hurt my admissions into programs, as well. And that may be the defining factor.</p>

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<p>Georgeanne…this field casts all types of actors and all body types. You have to know your type and accept that you’ll be considered for some roles and not others. For instance, you may not have a good chance as a chorus girl as some tall thin leggy girl. Just accept that. But the fact is, many parts call for character actors. And so in most programs, you will see many types of looks and even weight. I recall observing a ballet class in a MT program often discussed on this site that my D applied to and noticed that quite a number of the girls were overweight. So, that program definitely accepted girls who were not skinny. Perhaps another program doesn’t as much but I think most programs do accept various body types and looks. After all, these kids also have to be cast in their shows and they’ll need a variety of types. I recently saw the main musical at my D’s school and there were girls of a wide range of body types in the cast. So, I think you should go for it. Just like my kid is not vying for the blonde ingenue slot in a class (or in casting), you are not vying for her type either. Actually, I think there is a bunch of work to be had by women actresses who are not svelte. </p>

<p>My D recently remarked to me that in the MT Program at her school, she feels there is lots of room for the thin girls and lots of room for the heavier girls but there is NOT a lot of room for those in between from what she has observed. She also remarked that now that she is in an acting studio (after having spent some years in the MT studio), it doesn’t seem to matter as much if you are on one or the other end because you can also be in between. That has only been her experience and observation at school, for what it is worth.</p>

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<p>Soozie, your posts are always so helpful! Thank you. You have helped me feel a bit more confident.</p>

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<p>Schools look for all different types because there are all different roles. Not every role calls for a 5’8" thin blond. I agree about letting your light shine through, if you feel good about yourself it will show! I am sending you a PM.</p>

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<p>Oh, my goodness. You MUST read " 'til the fat girl sings". It’s a memoir by Sharon Wheatley (Broadway singer) who’s had much, much success while being heavier. She even talks about her opera phase that she went through because she thought she’d have more success! Seriously…go to Amazon, spend the money and read it. I think it will give you a lot of insight.</p>

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<p>Like sooz said earlier, they’re looking for all types of people for the most part. Of course there are some stingy schools like CCM who basically want “cookie-cutter” performers (at least the way I see it as). But in the end it really comes down to whether you can bring it to the table or not!</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

<p>PS, if you want any advice from someone who auditioned last year and is reauditioning this year, feel free to send me a PM</p>

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<p>I so agree on “Til The Fat Girl Sings”! What an amazing book! </p>

<p>I am on the very heavy side, so I would be considered a character actor. However my look, aside from the weight, is definitely an ingenue and a young one at that. So right now it is very difficult to cast me so if I find success, it most likely won’t be until I’m older. But I’m trying to get the weight down so hopefully I won’t be the character actor type anymore, but who knows what will happen.</p>

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<p>Georgeanne, when you visit schools you’ll see the “types” that they have accepted. My D saw plus-sized girls at BoCo and Shen…in fact, I saw all different sizes in a show at BoCo last month.</p>

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<p>Skwidjymom, since you mentioned BOCO, that was the school I was referring to earlier in our visit. :D</p>

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<p>You know, freedom, Sharon Wheatley, who wrote 'Til the Fat Girl Sings, went to CCM.</p>

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<p>Everyone is SO right, all types are needed-even in college they have to cast their own shows. And how would Hairspray ever have been cast if every non-ingenue type had given up the dream? MT or straight theatre, especially for females, keep in mind there’s usually ONE pretty thin romantic type of girl, rarely more in a play. And some types wont’ do well until they’re in their 30s or beyond, because that’s what they’ll fit best-and then the ingenues will have a hard time!<br>
This is my business and I know, being a good type does matter, but WHICH good type does not. All are needed or you don’t have a cast!</p>

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<p>“MT or straight theatre, especially for females, keep in mind there’s usually ONE pretty thin romantic type of girl, rarely more in a play.”</p>

<p>I would not agree with this. For most musicals that are in the “classic” category, in addition to the ingenue lead there is always a young girl chorus of some kind. Which is slim. Roles cast with more weight are usually older. (Note: When I mean more weight I don’t mean buxom and curvy, I mean overweight). Examples of the above - South Pacific, Seven brides for seven brothers, Oklahoma, Carousel, etc. All of these have been in the West End within the past 10 years and all of the younger girls (below playing age 30) cast in these shows here - were slim. Then we have those musicals with a dancing chorus where again, slim young girls are required, such as The Producers, Spamalot, Chicago, Phantom, etc. Yes, some musicals require a mix of sizes and shapes, of course (Jerry Springer comes to mind, Les Mis also for the chorus, young leads have to be slim). However, if you have an ingenue face and voice (especially if you are a lyrical sop) it pays off to be on the slim side. As for plays - for the classics (Shakespeare, Coward, Wilde, etc) I would say 85% of roles under playing age of 30 are cast as slim. You will be hard pressed to find an overweight Juliet in the West End or on Broadway. Modern plays - it varies more.</p>

<p>That said, larger characters ARE needed and what matters is the package - i.e. that your voice and face match your build. Some larger girls have to wait till they are a bit older for better parts (lets face it, Tracey in Hairspray is pretty much a one off part for a larger young girl in MT) but if you have what it takes you should get work at some point.</p>

<p>I am not trying to be negative - just realistic. I have larger friends in the business my age (mid twenties) and a lot of them getting work depends on whether they are a total package, what shows are currently being put on and if casting directors are willing to go against stereotypes, etc. </p>

<p>In terms of opera and classical work - weight matters a lot less. What you have to ask yourself is - am I a sellable package in MT? Or do I have a pretty face that screams Laurey in Oklahoma and a lovely sop voice but not the body to match? Or do I have a character face, am of a larger size and have a huge belt voice? More sellable in a casting director’s eyes. If I were you I would train in MT, see how it goes and if you see your size being an issue do a masters in classical voice training and go down that route. You are certainly young enough. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Another point - schools are very acccepting when it comes to choosing different types and sizes for their programmes. So I see no problem at all with someone larger getting a place at a prestigious college if they have the talent. But the question is - will you then find work once you leave? College is not the real world and some people who are hyped up to the nines during their training days and told they are wonderful - give it all up after 3 years as they don’t find the work. Others who weren’t considered anything special may work quite steadily on the other hand, as they simply fit the casting mold. There is no rhyme of reason to this industry but it’s good to let everything go through your head before you commit yourself to such a decision.</p>

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<p>Really? That surprises me because as I was waiting around at Unifieds someone who auditioned for CCM was reading a handout they got that said “Take a good look at yourself. If you need to loose 10 pounds, do it. If you need plastic surgery, get it. If you need to wear more make-up, learn how to apply it properly.” I don’t think these were the exact words, but I distinctly remember them saying stuff like this about those 3 points. It seemed sorta disrespectful to me. It kind of made it sound like they only wanted pretty and perfect people to audition</p>

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<p>I can tell you that I don’t know anyone who would look at my daughter and call her skinny. I happen to think that she really rocks, but she doesn’t sound like the “cookie cutter” CCM person that you are describing.</p>

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<p>Yikes is right. I’m going to the freshman showcase on Saturday, and there will be various types, including my daughter.</p>

<p>Your quote, freedom, is a distortion of what appears on the CCM website. What in fact says is:</p>

<p>“It may be hard, but take a long, objective look at yourself in a mirror and assess what you see. Decide on your best physical presentation. If you need to lose weight or gain muscle, begin as soon as possible — but please do it safely. Visit the dentist, invest in a new hairstyle, pamper your complexion, learn the fundamentals of make-up, get in shape, start working out or jogging. Exercise your mind. Take a dance class or a yoga class or just get some sleep! Eat well and pass on the double whoppers with cheese. Present yourself as a prospective student who will be fun to teach and highly employable after graduation.”</p>

<p>They also say:</p>

<p>“DO be confident. Like yourself. Be proud of who you are. In short, make the faculty want to teach you. Arouse their interest through the sheer force of your personality. Dare to be different – in other words, true to yourself.”</p>

<p>Seems like good advice to me.</p>

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<p>Sharon Wheatley started in the music (voice) program at CCM, not in the MT program. She transferred into it later, if I am remembering correctly, at the insistance of her professors.</p>

<p>I do think though that unless you are a character actor who can be REALISTICALLY employed right outside of college, than the more prestigious schools will definitely accept you. But if you’re mismatched (ie ingenue or romantic man face but you’re overweight) then I do believe that there is a less likely chance of being accepted.</p>

<p>If you look at the resumes of the girls who have played Tracy (count out Marissa Winokur, because she’s definitely an exception) they haven’t been able to find much work in other shows since, which is rather unfortunate.</p>

<p>I know it’s harsh but I still personally believe that this aspect of the entertainment industry is still not willing to employ bigger actors. We’ve definitely come a long way but, particularly in MT, its still a smaller person’s world. But by no means should you give up! It never hurts to try and work hard!</p>

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<p>As fun and amusing as Sharon’s book is, it is difficult for me to think of her as “fat”. Maybe compared to most other women on Broadway but she is certainly not “fat” by most standards.</p>