[faliah_dahn]

So my high school was having a boy shortage and wasn't sure if it was going to do BATB or Chicago, but the director finally decided on BATB yesterday and callbacks are tomorrow and Saturday.

I'm shooting for Belle, but every other girl I'm up against is brunette -- and I'm BLONDE! What I want to know is, should I quickly dye my hair so that I'm on an even playing field?

I'm worried the casting director, producer, and musical director won't be able to see past my hair color ... that they might subconsciously pass me over for someone else.

This is my senior musical and my last chance for a lead. What should I do???

[metaphor17]

I wouldn't bother dying your hair just for the audition if I were you. However, on the audition form, make a note that you are willing to dye your hair. Sometimes there's even a 'circle yes or no' thing for it... at least, there always is at my school.

[MusicalGal1194]

Just be...well, Belle! I have seen blonde Belles before. If you were to get the part, they would probably put you in a wig anyway. Worry not!

[Bookworm]

There have been blonde Belles before. I've seen one. She was great. Just mention you will dye your hair or wear a wig.

[ConverseSneaker]

You might even have a better chance of getting Belle if your hair color stands out against the other actressess!

[faliah_dahn]

I actually ended up dyeing my hair.

It turned out to be a (semi) good thing, because I'm sort of known for being "the blonde" and so I got a lot of attention from the musical director when I was suddenly a brunette.

I ended up being one of the three girls who made it to second-round callbacks for Belle. But I got Babette because I am too tall compared to the boy they wanted for Beast.

It sucks, because this was my last chance to get a lead in a musical before I graduate. And the boy playing Lumiere is not ... excessively talented.

Oh, well.

[MademoiselleMusicalsDeux]

Hey...

You got a role! That is great, it's not the lead but it's a part. Good luck.

[The Duchess of Mint]

Dear faliah_dahn,

The fact that you can't play the role of Belle is too bad; the height issue seems to be slightly sexist. I understand that, in this case, the Beast must dwarf Belle, even if he only dwarfs her slightly; I don't understand why the Beast's mane can't be played up, and why his shoes can't be tall, so that his "paws" can sort of fall over the sides of them. The Beast doesn't necessarily have to be much taller than Belle in order to be threatening; he can just be big all over, so that Belle feels as though he's fairly physically threatening.

I don't understand why your hairstyle can't be flattened slightly, and why you can't just wear the flattest ballet flats imaginable, and why your blocking can't involve bowing your head ever so slightly from time to time, so that you don't look taller than the Beast.

Well, since you're going to be playing the role of Babette, you can really exude a ton of fun onstage; Babette is basically a golden-hearted girl whose sex appeal, assumed lack of brain power, and giggly personality sometimes get her into trouble. Remember that Lumiere is more than likely a Libra, or a Saggitarius; he's all about the charm, and even though he probably loves Babette for real, he is such a player that he sometimes forgets his true love. As Babette, your objective is to make him think of you; after all, you're the girl who was swept off of her feet by him!

Good luck!

[faliah_dahn]

Duchess:

I agree with everything you said!

And thank you for the Babette tips!!