Last chance to star in a school play...help!?

Question

I want to star in the Spring Musical, Guys and Dolls and this is my last chance because I'm a Senior.

The director, unfortunately, has her favorites who get the lead parts in EVERY play, both fall and spring. I love to do plays, but it gets discouraging when year after year I am a member of the chorus or a very small part. I show up to every practice on time, I do everything she tells me (which includes doubling for 2 roles on 1 day notice for Macbeth) and I know I'm good, she just never gives me the chance.
At the end of the January are auditions for Guys and Dolls and I really want the part of Adelaide. I have done this play with her before and her favorites would be perfect for other roles and Adelaide is one of the leads. I know I can do a good job and I'm a Senior so I need to get this, it's my last chance. I have bought the movie and the soundtrack and have practiced. How can I show her how serious I am about this part and make her want to finally give me the lead?

Answer 1

When you go to the audition make sure you are prepared with your music, monologue, costume, or whatever else you need for it. There is nothing directors hate more than when students aren't prepared. If you know you are good then you just have to give it your best shot. As long as you do your best there is nothing more that you have to do. DON'T kiss up or beg, that will just annoy the director. Just do the best you can and give 100% effort.

P.S. A lot of directors give main parts to Jrs, seniors at my school even if the freshmans or sophomores are really really good. That could be why she never gave you a lead role but heres your chance. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I think alot of the choices that the director has been making are based on who fits the part best and is the most talented, not really based on favoritism. I think if you really want the part you should try talking to the director about it. Ask them what types of things they'd like to see at the auditions that way you know what you're going for and still have time to practice. Keep in mind though that you're not just going to get the part by saying you want it. The best person for the role will be how it's decided.

Answer 3

I also come from a high school with a director who plays favorites so I sorry to say your chances at getting Adelaide aren't so good. My advice is to decide which is more important; getting the lead or being in the musical. If you decide on the musical then try setting you sights on a supporting role instead, since your a senior you have a great shoot at that!

Answer 4

I know the feeling. Everyone has favorites, but if your director knows what's best, she'll cast on talent and not preferences.

I was a member of the chorus for our production of Guys and Dolls. I'm a senior now, and I'm still in the chorus for Beauty and the Beast. But you just have to have fun with what you get, and keep your eyes peeled for anything you can do. I was sucked into costumes by my friend in sophomore year, and now I think I want to go into costuming. Can you help out with crew? programs?

Don't worry about it too much. If you're practicing as much as you say you are, you'll be fine.

Answer 5

I'm tempted to say, "make sure you can really sing and act the part of Adelaide so you can show how much better you are than the others who are trying out." Unfortunately, I know first hand how politics work in casting a school play so there's no guarantees that you'll get the part just because you're good. By the way... you'll find this kind of politics in college theatre and professional theatre, too.

Answer 6

Well, if someone always chooses favorites, then you don't really have the best chances. But if you have a great voice and good acting skills compared to the others, then you have an advantage. At your audition, stand with good posture and interact with the others while reading. If you have to memorize a monolouge, make sure your expressions tie in with what you're saying. While singing, expression is also key. Try not to use just your head voice or sing through your nose. Round out your mouth to get the best sound.

At my school, all the good parts (HSM) went to the seniors. It really made me mad because I know that I'm better than most of them. Not the girl who got the lead, because she's FAR better than me, but some of the smaller parts that got solos. grrr...

Answer 7

I totally know how you feel. I had a theater teacher in my first three years of high school who totally played favorites and always gave the leads to the same people. Mine was even worse than yours, though- if you weren't one of her favorites, she didn't cast you at all! I remember being crushed that I was constantly cut from play after play.

Then my senior year, we got a new theater teacher who believed that every high school actor deserved a chance to shine. He cast everyone who tried out, and if there were more people who tried out than there parts in the script, he wrote in extra parts so everyone could be in the play. Of course, there were only so many leads in each given play, so the majority of people were cast in the chorus.

It sounds to me like your theater teacher also casts everyone who tries out. If that is the case, then be glad you are in the play at all and be grateful that your director isn't like the first one I had at my high school.

Also, even if you only have a small part, you can still do a lot with it and act it to the best of your abilities. I once wound up being one of the "stars" of my high school play even though I only had nine lines.

Good luck to you!

Answer 8

My director is the same way; it's awkward because most of his favorites are friends of mine. As someone in the same boat as you I can't really give you any help, and I'm very sorry about that. All I can say is give it everything you've got, behave EXTREMELY well (be quiet when you're not on stage, for example) and show her that you take it seriously.

Break a leg!

Answer 9

Audition HUGE. DON'T copy the singer in the film or the soundtrack-make it your own. Don't be too sycophantic, and once you audition, act like you don't give a **** if you get the part or not. And if she offers you General Cartwright, take the part, and steal the show.

Answer 10

I'm liking summer school, hence the reason I did not star.