[going_like_elsie]

Hello!

I feel sort of ridiculous even asking this but my dream role is Aldonza/Dulcinea in Man of La Mancha and I have recently been asked to audition for Man of La Mancha at a local theatre.

The problem is that it is also an impossible dream role looks wise. I am small, blonde, and very fair skinned. Acting wise, I think that I would be fine- I'm sort of on a prostitute streak with my recent straight theatre roles and musical theatre wise I have played Fraulein Kost in Cabaret and Eva Peron (granted she wasn't technically a prostitute, though some will dispute that...) I did look online and found out that the original Aldonza, Joan Diener, was blonde and dyed her hair for the part- which gave me hope. I am always willing to dye my hair for a role and I will indicate that on the audition form. Do you think there is anything else I can do? Should I, for example, tan? It is so weird for me to even consider that. I have never had a tan in my LIFE and had pretty much resigned myself to my paleness. Just you wait- paleness will be back some day! But I digress. Is it a ridiculous thing to tan for the audition? I found a spa near me that has a thing called a sunless tan where they basically spray you down- there was an episode about it on Friends once... this begins to sound less and less smart as I go on... well, in anycase- have any thoughts on this? Thanks!

[what_the_heck013]

With such an impressive resume already, I think you'll be fine. You can tan yourself if you'd like, but if you can pull off Eva Peron, you can pull off Aldonza.

[Jenem]

hmm as a fellow paley, I do sympathise with you, but as a performer I would advise against doing anything you wouldn't normally do, especially when it comes to altering your skin colour. A fake tan could end up disastrous, and a real tan could take weeks to produce. My problem with this is, that aquiring a fake tan simply for an audition wouldnt make much of a difference anyway, and anything too dramatic would probably make you feel uncomfortable. My advice is: be yourself (as always); If you're right for the part, the artistic team will see this and will take the necessary steps to rework your appearance. That said, if you still feel like you need a boost, dont go cheap; Dior Bronze (Natural Glow shade) is the best self-tanner out there.

[going_like_elsie]

I think your right- the tan idea was pretty lame. Thanks for writing back!

[opheliarose]

I'm of German/Celtic descent, am very petite but CURVY, and have long blonde hair and blue eyes. I've been cast as Asian 3 times and Puerto Rican once.

Pale girls unite!

[going_like_elsie]

Just wanted to let you know I did not alter my physical appearance and... I got the part!

I am still reeling from the shock actually. I am so grateful and terrified that the director will call me back and say- sorry I made a mistake. Aldonza is no longer my impossible dream role... I just hope I do her justice. Thanks for all your help!

[Jenem]

Congrats! When you're truly talented you don't need anything else— Break a leg!