Am I wrong to feel upset?

MusThCC
Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:29:37 +0000

Casting on every level, from elementary programs to Broadway, can be dependent upon things other than talent. At a professional level, box office “draw” can certainly play into casting decisions. Even if auditions were based solely on “talent”, that is so subjective - one cannot climb into a director’s brain and second-guess his artistic vision.

I know students who have chosen not to be involved in their school productions and seek performance opportunities outside based on what they considered a flawed process. With community theaters, there are some who tend to reward regulars, or people who put in countless hours doing set/costume work - or children of parents who are willing to do whatever is asked of them to contribute offstage. It is then your choice whether to continue pursuing auditions with groups who function that way.

I also know a director who has a code acronym that he writes across an audition form of any child if he feels the parent is problematic, which indicates that child will NOT be considered, no matter how marvelous the audition. So - as tempting as it may be to think of what you’d like to say - keep your mouth shut, put a smile on your face, choose to have your child do the show with the most grace you can manage, or to not do the show if you think that you can’t handle that.

I agree that directors shouldn’t make statements that could be construed as promises prior to auditions. Auditioners (and parents) also need to learn to not read things into statements and realize that until the cast list goes up nothing is for sure - as for the story of the first list being taken down and changed after a tantrum - well, that is just the most wrong thing I’ve ever heard!