[DontDoSadnessxx]

I don't really post threads like these but I can't decide on something.

My friend Jen directs shows at this small, dingy, not so glamorous theatre on LI. She is doing Bye Bye Birdie this summer ( a teen production) and asked me to audition. She told me I practically had Rosie. Of course I still have to audition but she said she doesn't know anyone else who could play and she wants me to do it.
However, a big name theatre on LI is doing BATB (a mainstage production.) This theatre is well known to have people star in shows who are later on broadway. If I audition for that I have a small (slim to none) chance of getting into the Ensemble.

Now I know a leading part would look better on my resume but so can putting down Gateway (name of big name theatre) on my resume. The Bye Bye Birdie auditions are in june and the BATB in july. If I get into BBB and then drop out because of BATB I will feel so bad. Esp. cause my friend is the director. But if I don't audition for BBB and then not get into BATB I'll kick myself later.

Help?

[UniquePerspective]

Probably depends on your ultimate goal.

If your goal is simply to be in a show, then by the odds you should do the Bye Bye Birdie production. If you want to have fun, go for the show you like more. If you're looking for experience for future shows, probably depends on which of the factors directors will look more into, which I have no idea.

[DontDoSadnessxx]

My ultimate goal is to get my resume looking better then it does right now.
And I have no idea either.

[Beagle On Stage]

It depends what you want to do with the resume. If your goal is to do ensemble professionally or semi-professionally, "Beauty and the Beast" would be a good asset. But if you're just building it to use for yourself, or in smaller amateur companies, they're going to be more impressed by the better role and not especially wowed by a small role with a higher-up company. So the answer is STILL "it depends." lol

[Celeste_SM]

Actually, ensemble at Gateway will look better on your resume. Honestly.

Can you tell your friend that you'll be auditioning for her, but that you'll also be auditioning for Gateway, and that if you get in, that's your first choice. She may not be understanding at first, because her interest is in getting the best cast possible for her show and she probably doesn't want to lose you. But if she can get past that, she'll see that you're taking a reasonable path for your life goals. And if she doesn't want to risk it, she doesn't need to cast you. You're taking a risk too. You might end up with neither show. It's part of the business.

We rented the Gateway BATB set last year. It's beautiful!

[musictheatre00]

interesting question,especially because I know what you're talking about, in my opinion, whatever show you can get the most out of,now I've never been in a show for either companies, but I have been taking classes at the higher company's acting school, and I have auditioned for one of Jen's shows. To be completely honest, I never really liked Jen's company, not because of Jen, but the place is just pretty run down, and you will be in a show with kids ranging of the ages of like 8-16, but that might have also been a strictly kids production, I've never been in any of Gateway's shows but the teachers are great, which I think would say a lot about the production staff, and the person who will most likely be the artistic director is great, I never had her as a teacher, although she's wanted me in one of herclasses for a long time now, but from what I heard from other people, she's a great teacher, crazy but great, and if you ever made it into the show, I'm sure you would learn a lot about acting from the people you meet in the experience.

[MaryMag]

The truly intelligent directors understand when their companies can't hold a candle to larger, more professional companies.

One director of mine totally understood when Anybodys in an unpaid production of WSS got offered an ensemble role in a prestiigous production of Crazy For You. She said she couldn't pass up that opportunity and sent her on her way.

Another director of mine threw a fit when an ensemble dancer in an unpaid musical of his left for a broadway tour.

There are some very professional, seasoned directors that understand. In my experience, it's the younger, vainglorious, self-entitled directors that don't understand. Older, more successful directors understand that they are just a part of "the business." Less experienced directors seem to think their company is the end-all be-all of theater.

Which is your friend? Does she think her company is hot shitt or does she acknowledge that the other is better?

Ultimately, I say audition for both. Your troubles are all speculative at this point. Just cross the bridges when you get to em.

[wtfchuck]

I think you should audition for both, If you get the better role go for it and if you don't, then make the most of Jen's production.

I'm sure if you talk to her first she'll understand

[Celeste_SM]

[mercurialasaka]

Always ALWAYS audition for both! Even if you don't get into BatB, you will have a great experience auditioning for a bigger company and make valuable connections with the people there for the next time around. If Jen is a director who's been doing this for years and knows the business and how big a credit at Gateway is, she will understand. If she doesn't...then she isn't looking out for you and your career, and that's what any director/friend/teacher/mentor should be doing. Whether to tell her or not...it's a hard call cause I of course don't know her or what her reaction would be and I don't want to encourage you to say something that might ruin your chances at Rosie. But... I say tell her, as a friend, that you heard about this audition and you want to try. If she's your friend and a good director, she'll encourage you to go for it because she'll understand how great an opportunity this is.

[Salome]

Gateway is an excellent group. they do amazing work. go for Gateway.

[musictheatre00]

Heads Up!

Audition Info posted!



http://www.gatewayplayhouse.com/auditions.html