Am I wrong to feel upset?

EmmyBet
Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:37:00 +0000

Can I ask a general question out of this?

My D’s theater coach gave her good advice to do as many auditions as she can these next few months. They are great experience. My D asked, what if I get offered parts in more than one show, though? How do I handle that? The coach said to be prompt, honest, and considerate to the director you are declining a part from. Usually they will understand that 1) people have to audition like they won’t get anything, so they will audition for concurrent productions; and 2) you’re going to want the best part or the best experience for you, and deserve it as a young performer. All she said was DO IT RIGHT, and they should understand, and, frankly, be used to it.

As for having auditions for the next thing when rehearsing for the current one, that has to happen a lot, in order to stay consistently involved, or later, employed. Yes, some situations are non-negotiable (like dress rehearsal), but isn’t it possible to deal appropriately with these situations without burning bridges? Aside from projecting the attitude of “this is the most important thing I’ve ever wanted” at the audition (as one would with a job interview), do you have to ACTUALLY not have anything else going on in your life?

She also said that it depends on your goals. Right now my D is trying to build a resume. It’s obvious to anyone that she’s trying to get experience and to prepare for college admission auditions. It should be understandable that she’s going to spread herself around as much as she can. Anyway, she’s not so great that she’s leaving a trail of anger and frustration behind her - a couple of lines in a play is a huge success.

Another girl in our area who is a college grad is, on the other hand, trying to get work in this theater community. She’s being much more thoughtful, being a “good sport” and taking whatever she can get, plus being careful not to turn anyone down or anger anyone, because she wants to live here. That, the theater coach says, is a totally different situation.

My D was lucky to get one good-sized part this summer in another town, and the director she works with at our HS and in summer shows is being very patient and generous by letting her be in the ensemble of the local stuff, and working around her schedule. She must not have any hard feelings, since she did cast her, and also gave her a good part in the fall musical already.

It will be a big learning experience for my D making sure she makes all of her scheduling decisions very carefully, is very polite when asking for absences, etc. She has made full disclosure in all of this, and people have been nice. I’m hoping it will teach her how to juggle properly, when the time comes when she’s dealing with higher stakes and less flexible people.

Are there red flags we’re not understanding in all of this? Is there anything we should know, besides the general advice to be honest and considerate? It sounded like there are some absolute no-no’s, but maybe we might miss them. As I said, I don’t think this is her long-term theater “home,” but no one wants to be the kid who did the wrong thing that everyone remembers forever.