[MaryMag]

Do you guys think you can tell (before you're told) if you've been cast or not cast? And I'm not saying you can tell by how well you did - do you ever just get a feeling that turns out to be right?

I'm not sure what I think. I have a funny feeling today that, despite my great callback on Friday, I'm not gonna get cast. Just a feeling. But I've been wrong before and ended up getting cast. And I've been wrong before and not been called back when I thought I was a shoe in.

What do yall think?

[pish123c]

No. That would be silly.

[disneybeauty]

So far, my radar on that has been pretty good. The theatre companies around here are very clique-ish for lack of a better word. The directors would rather cast someone they know will do a mediocre job over someone they've never used before, so it's pretty easy for me to guess when I am not going to be cast.
It still sucks though, especially when it's obvious that you are the only one that thought about the audition and put any effort into preparing for it.

[brown_eyed_actress]

First of all ... I totally love you, Marymag! If your great advice is any indication ... I'm pretty sure you'll get the role!

As for my own thoughts on this ... I think you can tell. Of course, we're all wrong once in a while ... but I know what you mean about a "feeling" ... usually I can tell, or "feel", if I've gotten the role I wanted or just chorus ... or nothing at all!

I hope for the best for ya, hun ... keep us posted! What show did you audition for, by the way?

[LisaKitty]

In my experience, I think my "feelings" have turned out to be wrong more often than they were right. I've walked away from auditions absolutely certain that I was going to be offered a role, and was completely devastated when I wasn't cast. Similarly, I have been certain that I wouldn't be offered a role, and ended up getting it (or thought I'd only make ensemble, and ended up with a lead).

However, there was one time recently when I had a strong feeling about getting a certain role. I had just left a callback for Sound of Music, and had read for Maria, Elsa, and the Mother Abbess. Based on who I was up against, I knew I was too old for Maria, too young for Mother Abbess, and just not the right physical type for Elsa. Even though a lot of other auditioners gushed over my readings, I remember saying to myself as I got in my car to drive home "I'm seeing a Sister Margaretta in my future." Four days later (after I had completely given up on the company and was expecting a "thank you for auditioning" form e-mail) I was offered the role of Sister Margaretta.

Unfortunately, accepting the role turned out to be a huge mistake, since it was one of the worst productions I've ever been involved in. But that's a story for another day ...

[Chevstriss]

my ESP is very bad on these things. When I think I'm far and away the best person there, I never hear from them. When, out of all the callbacked for a particular role, I'm the only person there who could even begin to play the part, none of us gets the role.

Usually when I think its "in the bag" they go w/ a local they can get for practically no money, or they splurge on a star from the 70s.

When AL Shake cast me, I was totally shocked. I had read for Belle (WTF?) and sang for Potts. No one ever mentioned Wardrobe. They do, however, expect their leads to have Bwy credits so it was the type of role they could sneak a "no name" into.

When cast in Flea, I later learned this new director has a thing against casting "names". That's all well and good from an artistic pt of view, but audiences were sparse, and unless he starts bringing in some TV stars the patronage will dwindle to nothing and the theatre will have to shut down.

[Luc]

After an audition, I always convince myself that I'm not in. I realize it's probably not a good "get happy quick" scheme, but if I find out that I didn't make it, I'm not too too disappointed, and if I find out that I did make it, I'm super happy!

That's what I do, anyways. Probably not the best technique, lol.

[Sweeney Hyde]

Sometimes I can...

I really wanted to be the oldest son in Cheaper By the Dozen...I had a good feeling about it and got it...

I wanted the Prince in Cinderella...although not as badly...and didn't get it...didn't really know how it would go...turned out for the best though...as I had the chance to create a part that everyone ended up LOVING.

[what_the_heck013]

Nonono. There are so many times where I think I nailed an audition and then I am shocked when I don't get the part... and on the flip side, my audition sucked *cough*Annie*cough* and I get the lead.

I still believe that directors pick their favorites and choose the rest from a hat. You cannot convince me otherwise.

[Jman383]

Personally, I think feelings about auditions are usually pointless. I mean, out of every audition in my life, I've felt amazing after all but one. One. And how many parts have I gotten that I auditioned for? One. No, it's not the one part I auditioned for in which I had the bad audition, that would be far too dramatic, but still, directors choose their favorites, and it sucks. As someone said above, most directors choose someone they've worked with before, and know will do a mediocre job over someone who's talented, but they've never worked with. It's SO true, and so sad.

For example, this past Spring I auditioned for a summer production of Grease! that I'm currently in now, and which opens this Friday. The auditions lasted a month. First an initial singing in which I nailed. Then a dance callback in which I did okay. Then a second dance callback in which I did even better. Next a reading callback in which I read the best for the part, and better than most everyone there, guys and girls. Finally, a singing and reading callback in which I did decently at the song, and again, stellar on the reading. Funny thing is, the director had us all assigned to which parts we were up for, and made it clear that these were the parts we were being considered for, no more, no less.

Seeing as I'm heavier, I was only up for the part of Roger, and only up against one other kid who was actually up for Danny and Kenickie as well. That being said, after that monotonous month of auditions, who wound up getting the part? A kid I go to school with who just graduated and who I have done many upon many shows with, who was not only up for the parts of Danny, Kenickie and Sonny, but who also didn't sing for Roger either. Funny thing is, he's the director's golden child, and since he didn't fit Danny, Sonny or Kenickie, I was bumped off the lead's list, and given Eugene. Now, mind you, I don't have a problem with people getting parts they necessarily didn't read for, but when the song goes up to sustained High G's and I KNOW it's out of the person's range, it upsets me just a tid bit. Now, I don't wanna ramble on for too much longer but I will say, when I asked the director why this happened she told me it was for 2 reasons:

1) Vocal (Funny, she knows not a thing about music, and yet she tells me I'm not up to par with the kid who got it)
2) My physical appearance (I'm 5'7 and heavy, whereas the Burger Palace Boys are all at least 6' and lanky)

In all irony, the first time she heard Mooning, our Roger let out two of the biggest cracks one can imagine, and she merely bowed her head in embarassment. Hope she learned her lesson, as he continues to crack his way through the song. Again, sorry for rambling.

[Glissando]

I could tell for The King and I because the director came over and asked me if I had been taking voice (I had auditioned for him before, and I was badddd) and then went. "You're HOW old again?" and when I told him 13, he nearly fell over.

So yeah. I knew I was in.

[nycbound]

Every once and a while, but I've also been way off the mark. So, I don't think my radar is very reliable. Mostly, I try to be as positive as I can and if it's bad news, I try to move on quickly and not wallow.

[DaddyDiesel]

I think its all how you percieve things before and after. Exmple 1 being Marymag thought she was way over her head before the audition. Maybe she even saw some amazing talent there. She now thinks she wont be cast even though she had a great audition. I think she will obviously feel she didnt get cast just by the way it all transpired.

Example 2 being. I felt Extrememly confident going into a small community theatre production of camelot last year. I got a callback for Lancelot and it was between three guys. A very short Highschooler who hadnt developed the range for the part. A 40ish, short, bald guy who sang well, but had only been in two shows his whole life. Both of which were for this particular company. I felt I sang really well and had a great read. I thought I was a shoe in for at least a supporting role if not lancelot.

Well We are yet to see if Mary mag is cast. And I actually wasnt cast. Even though I had a feeling that I got in. The old guy got the part of lancelot. It turns out that his wife had been a longtime supporter of that company and was guinevere.

My overall point is that it doesnt matter what you feel. You never know whats going to happen or not. Every director has a vision. Even though you might be the best one there. You never know what factors are going to play into the equation. All one can do is do your best and hope it works out.

[disneybeauty]

Okay, I had to put this somewhere, and this looks like a good spot. Just had my Jekyll and Hyde audition. I was walking up on the stage and I hear the director and asst director say, "Oh this is the dancer." My heart just fell, because this happens at every stinking audition. I sang so well at this audition, yet I feel like I am already doomed to be their dancer for the season. I guess I find out on Friday, when the cast list is supposed to go up.
I sang so well this time, and there were only 2 other girls that sang really well. I thought I honestly had a shot until I heard them talking before my song. GAHHHH.

[MaryMag]

I'm sorry, dear. Before I even read all your post I was like, "ah disneybeauty got precast as the dancer again..." Sometimes it's good to have a type or a special talent - but it sucks when you want to get away form that type or do something more. It could be worse though - you could have NO type and get NO work.

I can sympathize a little. Not entirely, but a little. I'll always be cast as a belter in MT, despite the fact that I have strong classical technique (well when compared to other MT singers that is!) and am actually preparing for grad school auditions in opera performance. I'd love to show off my legit voice, but when they need a belter and there's no one else that can do it, I guess they have no choice.

Do you have enough theater opportunities near you to be more selective about the roles you audition for? For example, there are some lead roles that need great dancers - what's her name in a chorus line, sally in cabaret, either girl in chicago, polly in crazy for you, reno in anything goes... the list goes on. There's quite a few shows where the lead has gotta be the most stellar dancer on the stage.

[DaddyDiesel]

It does kind of suck. BUt I think taking that dissapointment and turning it into a challenge to be not known as just a dancer. Like if they say that make a point in your audition, to have the CD's thinking, "Holy Crap the Dancer has an amazing voice." Just hope for the best after that. Most CD's won't discourage pure tlaent when they see it.

Recently I have auditioned for some professional stuff. And this is pretty much what I got. Now, I don't have alot of experience on my resume, I might be a little chubbier than Other Baritones out there, and I don't have amazing million dollar headshots. 85% of the time I was written off as an insurance guy who thinks he can sing and thought he would try a stab at musical theatre. MOst of the CD'S had this look that said "this is destined for a trainwreck" on thier faces before I even introduced myself. But thats when I changed my mindset and made it my goal to make them think differant about me. Which provided alot of motivation for my singing and performing. It was alot of fun seeing there expressions change after the audition. Now did this translate into roles. Not yet. But it has gotten me some great callbacks in august and september.

I do not know if that helps ya. But its one way to look at it.

[disneybeauty]

It's very hard to find good shows right now because soooo many of the directors either pre-cast, or it's known that they are doing a "youth production" (AKA no one over 20 should bother to audition).
Every director I have met has said the same thing "you sparkle onstage", yet I don't get cast. I was all set earlier this summer to audition for "Steel Magnolias" so I could get some straight acting under my belt, but I found out the show was pre-cast.
No one around here does dance-intensive shows. I am hopeful about an up-coming production of Singin in the Rain, but I know better than to hold my breath.
Honestly, what I think really bothers me is that this time, my singing audition was spot on. Every note was on the mark, my actions matched the song, and I felt the song come thru me. The one thing I have going for me is that the music director really liked me. I guess I will just have to wait and see. Thanks MaryMag.

[MaryMag]

By the way, the audition that prompted me to make this thread came out as I felt it would - I didn't get cast. Phooey.

Ah well. Gone to a billion auditions since then and am going to a billion more soon. Life goes on.

[DaddyDiesel]

Sorry to hear that Marymag

[disneybeauty]

So Sorry to hear that MaryMag. Dang it, sometimes theatre just sucks.

[pinkstiletto510]

[pastryyy]

Personally, I can't tell at all until the cast list comes out. If I try positive thinking, I end up hoping (and therefore expecting) more than I should, which makes me disappointed even if I get a role. So I'm actually happy that I can't tell at all.

[tinkrbell]

i dont think you can tell its just you telling yourself wat you want yourself to think and if it happens you say i knew it all along and if i doesnt then say i guess i was off this time maybe next. but no i think you cant tell unless you get a hint .

[Chevstriss]

my bad sense of whether or not I'm cast is sublimely illustrated in this thread:

http://musicals.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=61174

[disneybeauty]

Chev, I have been checkin out you other thread, and I am amazed.

I have some sort of good news about my last audition, and didn't know where else to put it so here goes: I got and e-mail from the director and he has asked me to choreograph the entire show. Granted when I auditioned I just want to be in the show, but this has the potential to open so many other doors for me. I am quite excited.

[MaryMag]

[disneybeauty]

MaryMag, the show I will be choreographing is Jekyll and Hyde, and it 's for a local pro theatre. Everyone is payed. I am very excited!

[Chevstriss]

[MaryMag]

[disneybeauty]

They also go ga-ga for hitch-kicks, anything spinning, and splits.

[MaryMag]

[star2ballie]

They go ga-ga for freaking pointed TOES during dances at most com. theatres here...lol.

[disneybeauty]

Oh, and if you can dance in high heels with pointed toes!

[LisaKitty]

Last weekend I had a callback, after which I definitely had an "I will definitely not be cast in this show" feeling. I was right. Got the rejection call on Friday.

On the up side, it was a very nice rejection call. The Managing Director made the call herself, and told me that she and the Artistic Director were very interested in seeing some of my other work and would I please let them know if I was in anything locally they could come see. Usually I just get a polite "Thank you for auditioning but we're going with someone else for the role", so I consider this response to be somewhat encouraging.

[Chevstriss]

[MaryMag]

[LisaKitty]

[Musicalluver]

You don't need esp to know you're not cast when:

The directors have you stay after auditions to do a private read/sing through and tell you that "just because they are having you do this doesn't mean that you are getting the part" and...

When at the same auditions the directors say that even if you don't get the part the song from the show that you are singing would "make a great audition song for you"

This has happened to me, at a professional theatre audition.

-Musicalluver

[MaryMag]

Had a grrrreeeat aud today. [crossing fingers]

They asked me to stay and do a cold read w/ this guy. After we read, the guy was like, "wow they loved you." and i was like, "what? why do you say that?" and he says, "because when we were done reading, and they took the performance calendar out, and went through EVERY LAST DETAIL about the rehearsal and performance schedule, and directed 100% of it at you and none at me."

LOL

I hope that's a good sign. But y'never know, do you. No matter how well you think it goes, you can still be so surprised...

[jazzygirlsings]

I've learned (the hard way, I assure you) that the only time I have a sense of when I might be cast is when I sign the contract! LOL!

[pish123c]

[disneybeauty]

MaryMag,
I am sending every good vibe in my body to you. Maybe my good mojo will help the directors pick you for the part. Break legs and merde!

[Chevstriss]

[Francois]

[Chevstriss]

[Theaterfan101]

twice when I got roles, I had a dream the night before it was announced that I had the part.

[DaddyDiesel]

I recently had a callback and didnt think I did well and also thought I wasnt going to get cast since it was a semi Prof company. But I got contacted today, offering me a role in the ensemble. A big step for me. In this case I wa sensing that I wasnt going to be cast and I got cast.

I got contacted by email for the record.

[ilovebway]

OKAY, So here's my audition experience!

I was auditioning for Cinderella, in a local.
I was the first to audition, we had to do about 16bars and a monologue.
I was really hoping for the role of the Prince, and i thought that my vocals and acting were overall decent enough to be looked upon. I COULD SEE MYSELF BEING CAST! Unfortunately, I got the Understudy position. I thought that the one who got cast didn't have the vocal or singing chops, but was rather cast for the "looks". As in how he could look good with Cinderella. The pretty sad thing as that he missed the first 2 weeks of rehearsals, giving lame excuses everyday! SO i had to go on, and cover just so i could learn the part, as well as the other role i was understudying, and ensemble. In the end, when he did show up the director was fine with! WTF? OPENING NIGHT WAS GONNA BE IN 2 WEEKS! How could he still believe he's a serious professional performer?
In the end, the show got cancelled a week prior to opening. (There were some issues with the cast). I definitely let this experience teach me something!

THAT'S WHY I TRY NOT TO LET MY HOPES GO FLYING OFF THE HANDLE!

[MaryMag]

[blue wind]

i don't do auditions...but my best friend does and she is ALWAYS saying she's not gonna get into stuff. ok....NEVER think that, even if you know deep down there's no way you can get a part. you should always go into auditions prepared, positive, confident, and thinking you can get the role. some people don't like to do that because they are afraid they will be devastated if you don't get in. you should always think of it like this: every audition is an experience and a practice for the future. it's one thing to practice with teachers or in your living room...but actually BEING there, under the stress and competitioin is completely different. and people learn from mistakes...maybe if you feel like you didn't do something well in your audition and that's what caused you to lose the part, then you should work on it or try to do it differently!

i hope this post is somehwat on-topic...i haven't read the whole thread..

[ilovebway]

I'm always wrong.
If I'm a confident I got a role, I usually don't.
Vice Versa.

[le_moofin]

Only once did I get a role and know that I'd get it. And that was my very first "lead" role... of course, since it was only a Freshman show at HFS (Hamilton Freshman School), there wasn't that much competition. Not to mention that since it was the Evil Stepmother from Cinderella Jr. (hey, don't laugh, it was a great production!), not many "Oooh I'm so princessy!!1!!11!" girls auditioned for it. Still. After my audition, I knew. It was totally and completely mine. =D

My other big role was a surprise, since I was a sophmore and the director will generally pick seniors and juniors over sophmores. Actually, that show was pretty sophmore-heavy... and it was amazing =D But any other show I do, I'll get chorus. Because I'm either not right for the part (I've been to 2 of the 3 call-backs for those other shows) or someone auditioned better than me. I try not to sweat it and I just keep working on my vocals, acting, and dancing. Someday I'll be a lead in a musical. I promise =D

[broadwaygirl1988]

I truly think a person can tell when they've been cast...IF the directors dont do that serious-face stuff during the auditions.
I usually can sense--one time I was wrong--I was auditioning for a straight play, and there was me and another girl up for the pretty ignenue part. The director has worked with the other girl before--but her audition/callback wasn't that great. After my audition, the director said some very kind words to me and even acted like we were going to be working together soon.

And then came the phone call.

He had given it to the other girl b/c she looked older (by like 3 years).
I was soo disappointed. Especially b/c he made a big deal over how I read beautifully"...it was hard. The one thing that kept me holding my head high was b/c I was ruled out not because of how I read, but because of my age.

[music is my life!!!]

when i think i've got a part i usually don't but if i think i don't i do do get a part... it's kinda annoying thinking i got something and then being super-dissappointed...