broadwaybelle22
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Do I even have a chance at Belle?My Highschool is doing Beauty and the Beast as its musical this year and, I know this sounds corny, I've always dreamed of being Belle. I have a very good voice. I'm a mezzo-soprano with a lot of vocal training. I also have the ability to imediatley connect with a character and really get into the emotion of songs. I'm about 5'6 with brown hair and fair skin. It seems I'm perfect for the part, but there's only one problem. I'm a freshman. That one word seems to doom me to the ensemble before I've even sung a note. What do you guys think? Do I have a chance? I've already started practicing for the audition, but is it even worth it? All input would be greatly appreciated. 
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bwaybrunette21
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I think if you blow them away, maybe they will consider you. But then again, I have no experience with college theater. Actually, no experience with college (yet)! Lol, best of luck.
**oops thought it was for college 
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bwaybrunette21
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I think that there's always a chance that a freshman will get a good part. I do think you should have a backup character that you want so you don't get your hopes up. Good luck!
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alexxboyle
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anything's possible!
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MsDivaKate
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| alexxboyle wrote: | | anything's possible! |
I agree. A friend of mine played Belle as a sophomore in high school. She had never done the school musical, had never been in ANY musical before, and wasn't in the school's most select choir (a huge deciding factor about who get's cast at that high school).
However she was an amazing singer and just looked the part, even her speaking voice sounded as though one might expect a Belle to sound. She was the only one who could have done the role justice at that school.
However, its sad that it caused huge drama in the department with parents calling and complaining about how their kid was a senior or their kid was in the concert choir and this sophomore, mixed chorus girl gets the lead. Its also sad that the director finally cast based on talent, seen how much drama it caused, and went back to casting based on politics for the show the following year.
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Ep-Griz-Reno
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YEah...I've said this on another forum, but I was cast as Adelaide my freshman year...so like everyone else is saying-anything's possible! Break a leg, love. 
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broadwaybelle22
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Thank you all so much for the great advice. I will keep another character in mind, but will insist on blowing them away! I'll also remenber not to take it personaly if I don't get picked.
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DivaFeva
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My junior year they cast a freshman as Pippin <gasp> and he was fabulous. It is different for boys, but I would focus on extreme confidence and professionalism. You may want to compile a resume (if you don't have one already) of things that you have done in the past, so that the directors know of your experience. There is always a chance, just get ready for the seniors the hate you if you get the role. 
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Holly
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It depends how your school is, I think.
I mean, if your high school is the type that almost refuses to cast anyone but juniors or seniors as leads, then you have a much smaller chance (but I like to think anything is possible anyway ). But at some schools they do cast leads younger sometimes, so you'd have a bigger chance then.
Try to figure that out - but either way, try anyway!
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MademoiselleMusicals
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I say, go for it. Otherwise you will end up regretting - hmmmm maybe I might have gotten the role etc etc. As someone said, 'anything is possible.' Good luck and update us on your situation
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MsDivaKate
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| Holly wrote: | It depends how your school is, I think.
I mean, if your high school is the type that almost refuses to cast anyone but juniors or seniors as leads, then you have a much smaller chance (but I like to think anything is possible anyway ). But at some schools they do cast leads younger sometimes, so you'd have a bigger chance then.
Try to figure that out - but either way, try anyway! |
I came from a school that refused to cast anyone but juniors and seniors and it rocked the entire department when a sophomore got Belle. She was AMAZI?NG though. I say go for it, no matter what, because it can't hurt to try. Also, by showing interest and willingness to take on the responsibility of a lead, you'll look better later on when you audition for things at your school.
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broadwaybelle22
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Thank all you guys sooo much. Auditions arn't for a while, I'm just trying to get a head start. But I will keep you posted .
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Cake_in_Song
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Whether or not you get the role depends on your performance at auditions, and the descretion of your director. You're probably cringing that your director chose this year, instead of your senior year, for the musical, since age is your only fault. Just try your best at auditions, and, if you don't get the role, cry a bit, and then move on to your next role. Maybe you can play the role in the broadway production in the future.
And if you do get the role, I have some advice for you: Watch out for angry senior girls. It can be very, very upsetting not to get the lead in one's final year, especially if the lead goes to a younger girl. It's in no way your fault if they don't get the lead, but, to avoid creating conflict, try not to rub it in. I'm telling you this as a senior.
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MademoiselleMusicals
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^ ^ ^ I would imagine it would be very frustrating if a younger girl gets a lead role. In personal experience, it made me sooooo angry as this girl (let's name her 'X,') rubbed my nose in it so much, sucked up to the panal and spread rumours about me.
However I'm not saying someone younger can't necessarily play the part as well as someone older - just watch your step if you actually do get the role.
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phantomuwicked
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Geting the part of Belle depends on what kind of director you have. When you audition use all of your talent. By the way I am in the same kind of high school freshmen situation.
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broadwaybelle22
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Yeah, I know all the seniors would probably hate me. But I'm a very quiet talent, except when I get on stage. I don't think there would be any fist fights. I do understand how frusterating that would be for a senior not to get the lead, but I can't help but keep the hope alive. She's my dreamrole because of the way she's not afraid to piss off the popular guys and read books. And, obviously, because she finds out what true beauty is. Grrrr. Stupid director. Couldn't have waited for MY senior year!
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MsDivaKate
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| broadwaybelle22 wrote: | | Yeah, I know all the seniors would probably hate me. But I'm a very quiet talent, except when I get on stage. I don't think there would be any fist fights. I do understand how frusterating that would be for a senior not to get the lead, but I can't help but keep the hope alive. She's my dreamrole because of the way she's not afraid to piss off the popular guys and read books. And, obviously, because she finds out what true beauty is. Grrrr. Stupid director. Couldn't have waited for MY senior year! |
Darling you can still try for it. People were pissed at my friend getting Belle her sophomore year, but they got over it. Plus she's the sweetest girl so it was hard to hate her. Plus people knew she deserved it anyways.
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Beagle On Stage
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ABSOLUTELY you have a chance. I was the lead in my freshman year musical. It's important to the seniors, yes, but don't forget it's important to you too. Everyone deserves a chance.
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Cake_in_Song
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| MademoiselleMusicals wrote: | ^ ^ ^ I would imagine it would be very frustrating if a younger girl gets a lead role. In personal experience, it made me sooooo angry as this girl (let's name her 'X,') rubbed my nose in it so much, sucked up to the panal and spread rumours about me.
However I'm not saying someone younger can't necessarily play the part as well as someone older - just watch your step if you actually do get the role. |
Yeah, I nearly screamed when I found out one of the freshmen at my school had been called back for Eliza in our MFL auditions. Turns out the director only called her back because he wanted to "keep her interested." He has this thing with young talent: he gives younger people better roles, and spots in the senior acting company, because he doesn't want them to get frustrated and quit. Our senior company will have only two seniors next year. (The junior company will have none, only freshmen and sophomores). It's nice for Colby and Emma, but it sucks for the rest of us, who've essentially been given up on.
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star2ballie
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In one way, I hate theatre politics. But in another...
Well, when I was a freshman we did "Annie Get Your Gun". I knew he already had his Annie, a senior girl who was absolutley perfect for the role. He didn't even call anyone back for Annie, come to think of it. He just called people back for Winnie and Tommy, the second romantic couple...they are supposed to be teenagers, and anyway I got called back as a freshman. I was the only freshman there and I was so excited...(Warning: this is going to sound very very cocky and self-centered, but I truly don't mean it this way!), when we all sang, and danced, and did our scenes, I knew I did the best all-around. I got the dance, it just clicked for me. Her song fit into my range more than the other 3 girls, (one belted it all, one was too light and airy, and one was so nervous she couldnt sing), and I was the only one who made them laugh during my scene. I just felt like I had it in the bag...and then it went to a junior.
I was pretty upset, I'm not gonna lie. I talked to the director and he said, "you know, allie, we just don't give big roles to freshman or sophomores, you know that. i'm sorry." i was so pissed, you have no idea.
then the next year, for anything goes, i got reno as a sophomore...the first time ever a junior or senior hasnt gotten a leading role. anyway obviously i was so excited, and very very thankful.
the thing is though, now, being a junior...i'm kind of worried about a few upcoming sophomores and freshman. they keep getting better and better, and to tell you the truth now i'm kind of hoping the theatre politics come back and they wont cast simply based on talent. im actually hoping they keep seniority in mind, and that's so hypocritical, i know...but it's how i feel. i can really sympathize with the juniors and seniors who were mean to me during anything goes, because it was their opportunity, and i stole their thunder.
i dont know, it's very confusing. i guess once you're on both sides of the fence, you begin to realize that sometimes "that's just life", and you have to deal with it.
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MsDivaKate
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| star2ballie wrote: | In one way, I hate theatre politics. But in another...
Well, when I was a freshman we did "Annie Get Your Gun". I knew he already had his Annie, a senior girl who was absolutley perfect for the role. He didn't even call anyone back for Annie, come to think of it. He just called people back for Winnie and Tommy, the second romantic couple...they are supposed to be teenagers, and anyway I got called back as a freshman. I was the only freshman there and I was so excited...(Warning: this is going to sound very very cocky and self-centered, but I truly don't mean it this way!), when we all sang, and danced, and did our scenes, I knew I did the best all-around. I got the dance, it just clicked for me. Her song fit into my range more than the other 3 girls, (one belted it all, one was too light and airy, and one was so nervous she couldnt sing), and I was the only one who made them laugh during my scene. I just felt like I had it in the bag...and then it went to a junior.
I was pretty upset, I'm not gonna lie. I talked to the director and he said, "you know, allie, we just don't give big roles to freshman or sophomores, you know that. i'm sorry." i was so pissed, you have no idea.
then the next year, for anything goes, i got reno as a sophomore...the first time ever a junior or senior hasnt gotten a leading role. anyway obviously i was so excited, and very very thankful.
the thing is though, now, being a junior...i'm kind of worried about a few upcoming sophomores and freshman. they keep getting better and better, and to tell you the truth now i'm kind of hoping the theatre politics come back and they wont cast simply based on talent. im actually hoping they keep seniority in mind, and that's so hypocritical, i know...but it's how i feel. i can really sympathize with the juniors and seniors who were mean to me during anything goes, because it was their opportunity, and i stole their thunder.
i dont know, it's very confusing. i guess once you're on both sides of the fence, you begin to realize that sometimes "that's just life", and you have to deal with it. |
A lot of schools may also play the politics of spreading the leads. For instance you had a lead last year, so it may go to someone else this year.
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audreydarling
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When I was a freshman..we did Fiddler and I almost get Hodel..I didn't get it because I was a freshman..it went too two sophs..I was told I was "as good as them but had to be so much better becasue I was younger" so that made me angry..but getting the callback was great for a freshman..even though I ended up in the Ensemble. My highschool is particularly political as we do joint musicals..they rarely cast freshman in leads!..but totally go for it..anything is possible..blow the directors away. Break a LEG! By the Way..I am also a prospective Belle so let me know what happens..it would be cool if we both end up getting the role!
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broadwaybelle22
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I will, of course, update all of you on my situation. It won't be for a while though. I'm just really possesed and I'm getting a 4 month head start lol. But maybe it will pay off! That would be awsome if we both got Belle! Just out of curiosity, what grade are you in? I just want to know if your status would also affect if you got the lead.
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audreydarling
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I'm a sophomore..but I'm auditioning for a youth production, not for school..and I am one of the older kids in the age range, but it would be my first show in the company..so I might be resented a little if someone who's done it for a while is dissapointed ! yeah..about the head start..I do that too..lol..I just don't know what my school's musical will be..but I'm already prepping an audition that's in like three months and one in about five or six..lol..it's alright..we all start early.
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Fyra
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It definitely depends on the high school. My freshman year (last year), I beat out nearly every other girl who auditioned for the role of Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls. It was the first time in the history of the school that a freshman got the lead. A lot of people were furious, especially the upperclassmen, and while she took a ton of criticism for casting a freshman in the lead, she stood by her choice. In the end, people got over it and actually started telling me that they thought no one else could have done it. This year, we're doing Beauty and the Beast, and I'm trying out for Belle. There will probably be some bias because of last year, and my understudy last year is a senior and is trying out for her too, but I can dream, can't I?
I guess it depends on the following factors, though it's not limited to them:
a) your level of talent compared to the other girls who audition.
b) your school's, and director's, history and policy of casting freshmen.
c) your audition. Practice, practice, practice, and practice some more!
Good luck! Keep us posted!!!! =]
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kasl24
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We are doing Beauty and the Beast at my high school too, and I thought I'd put in my thoughts on the topic as a senior. While of course I really want to be Belle and will try my hardest to get the part, I want to get the part because of that hard work and not because I am a senior. If there is an actor younger than me that has a better audition, I think it is only fair that she get the part! I know all school's casting system works different in terms of how much seniority works, but I personally think (even as a senior myself) that what part you get should be based on your talent and work ethic, not on how many years of high school you've had, so I wish you the best of luck! Just do your best and hope that your director pays attention to talent rather than age!
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godspizzle56
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As a junior who was beat by a sophomore for Belle this year, I agree with many points people have made both for and against casting based on seniority. But here is my biggest argument FOR seniority casting: those who are older have more experience most of the time, and more experience makes for better stage presence. The girl who was Belle in my school's production had a very pretty voice, but it was only her 3rd show and in her other shows she had been ensemble. Her lack of experience made her very uneasy in such a large role, and she wasn't recieved all that well by the audience to tell you the truth.
But then again, I have been on the other side of this opinion when I was beat for "Turn Back Oh Man" in Godspell last year by a senior, when I know and was told by everyone else (even the director!), that I was better suited for it.
So, my advice is don't let your age restrain you from going for it. You never know. If you do get it, you will have a great time playing the dream role of thousands of girls. But if it goes to a senior, be glad for them as well.
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jimbothecrab
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I hope they don't just write you off. Lots of schools do that and it makes me kinda sad for the freshman that are really good. Just do your best at the auditions and if you get put in the chorus you'll have lots of fun (I did) and then you might get to understudy the Belle. Good Luck though.
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