I know colleges look for extracurricular activities, and being in a school play counts as one. So let’s say you audition for a role as an actor and don’t get the part, but they give you the part of an understudy or stage crew/manager. Would colleges still find that impressive? Thanks.
Would it count as an EC on par with lead actor? Yes. Will colleges find it impressive? No. Impressive would be being cast in a role on B’way or the West End and winning a Tony or an Olivier.
I don’t know what type of college you’re aiming for, but the problem I see with school plays is that it’s strictly a school activity. EC’s that lead to some sort of statewide, regional or national recognition are better if you are targeting the most selective schools.So I agree with @skieurope that being on the stage crew is on par with being the lead actor in Local High School plays. Actually at my kids’ HS there is always a shortage of males trying out for parts. The competition for female leads is fierce, but for the male lead the same guys are cast in every play because they’re the only ones who want to do it. If you’re interested in theater, check into your school’s speech and debate team. There are several theater based speech events (e.g., dramatic interp, humorous interp, duo acting, etc.) with lots of potential for state, regional and national awards and recognition.
You have a mistaken idea of how colleges view ECs. Work on your GPA – it’s much more important than some line that on your Common App activities page. Do ECs if they interest you.
not as much as you seem to think: most colleges don’t give a flip.