Should I Quit "The Fantasticks"?(All I do is move objects and remain silent)?

Question

I am in a play called "The Fantasticks" Last year I was in a play called "Godspell". Last year I was the only person that didn't have any lines along with a girl named Alicia. The man was a sort of lousy director and a jerk and I didn't want to to try out for another play. But I was approached by a janitor, a middle school piano teacher, about a few teachers, and several others to try out for "The Fantasticks". So I searched all over for a script on-line and dor the song I had to sing. We were t do a cold read from the script, but instead of doing that, I near perfectly recited what I was to be reading. I sang my best and I had a pretty good feeling that I did well. The director looked at me with an almost evil smile and asked what grade I was i. Something didn't feel right. When I looked at who got in the play, I found out that me and Alicia who had no lines in "Godspell" were the only ones who had no lines...AGAIN! We are called Mutes I feel like a servant should I quit

The man I personally think is against Blacks and certain other people.

Answer 1

It is actually much more of an acting challenge to be on stage with no lines. You have to stay engaged in the action and fresh which is much more difficult when you aren't waiting for your next line.

In addition, the Kabuki theatre tradition makes extensive use of characters to do exactly what you are doing in this show. That is a special skill that you can list on your resume.

And quiting is not a smart idea. The theatre community is small and quiting a show will get you the rep of being unreliable and unprofessional. If you had said you didn't want a non speaking part [perfectly acceptable] from the beginning it would be different.

If you feel that this teacher has issues with race report him after the show is over. Doing it in the middle of rehearsals will just make you look like a trouble maker.

It is tough to do theatre while in school, teachers tend to cast the same leads until that person graduates but if you hang in and show that you are willing to work they are much more likely to cast you again than if you quit half way through the rehearsal process.

Best of luck

Answer 2

The character of The Mute is actually quite significant in "The Fantasticks." My sense is that you should embrace the experience for what it is, and try to spin it positively.

However, there's something else that you absolutely MUST do: you need to schedule a private meeting with the director, and ask him/her what he/she felt was lacking about your audition. If you're in school -- and I'm assuming you are -- then it's really part of your learning process to be coached on your audition technique. There is clearly a "disconnect" between YOUR experience of your audition (you thought you did well), and the casting you received. Don't make the mistake of concluding that there's some evil conspiracy afoot here. Shoulder the responsibility yourself. Make the director tell you what would have been MORE impressive at the audition, and set yourself the goal of addressing those things for next time.

Answer 3

Back when I was an actor, I played Henry, the Crazy Actor in the Fantasticks. And I'll tell you, the Mute is one of the most important characters in the play. Stick with the play and do some research. Who is the Mute, what is his/her back story. Develop the motivations for the actions. Figure out why the mute is in the play. So you don't have lines, find out how you CAN act. How can you make that part your own. Without lines you have to develop your other acting tools. Your face, your body, your movement. Act with your hands. As a Mute, you are more of a Dancer than an actor, so you can re-think your interaction with the space and the other people on it.

Answer 4

If both you and Alicia are black or some other ethnic minority, and no other minorites got speaking parts, your allegation may be correct. It is, however, a very serious one, and should be discussed with your parents.

Otherwise, keep with it. Much can be done on stage (and in all acting!) without speaking. Work on your expression and movement to portray how your character feels. If you feel like a servant, maybe your character feels that way, too; let that show through in the performance!! But if your character loves her job, you need that to come acros with your pantomime and facial expression.

Hope this works out. Break a leg.

Answer 5

I wouldn't quit if I was you. That's probably exactly what he wants you to do. You should just hold your head up high, and do the part the best that you can, even if you don't have any lines. I hate it when people don't cast certain people because of something like the color of their skin, but quiting would just mean that he won. So I say that you give it your all, and then one day become famous and show him what a fool he was! Break a leg!

Answer 6

Uh-oh! I just remembered Prue and Paige Halliwell from Charmed! Having their power would be great. I would use it for personal gain but I won't abuse it. Well,...maybe I'll revenge on some people that annoyed me in the past *evil grin* but that's all!

Answer 7

no dont quit. welll i m nt sayin this cos i nearly always get major roles but every person on stage is important. the play cannot happen without one person missing. plus u're even going to ruin ur reputation in school and ppl will say that u commit and then back off. hold u're head high in the air and show 'em wat u have.

best of luck!

Answer 8

You ar ethe only one who can make that decision.