[downonbway]

I've been doing community theatre for the last 5 years. In that time I did a few children's shows, and once I was over 18 I started auditioning for the adult shows. I've been cast in 1 and that was 2 years ago. It wasn't even a main part. I'm told I'm a very good singer and I always show lots of enthusiasm at the auditions. Why don't I get cast? And what can I do to fix that?

[everdancing]

Maybe they don't see you as a strong enough dancer or actor?
My advice: more training, not just for voice.
Or try looking at other theatres in your area....
Have patience, keep trying!

[BEaSTARandSINGlove]

Just keep auditioning! It can never hurt. And take lessons lessons lessons!

[kozafluitmusique]

It also not you personally. Each director has his/her own vision of the show.

So just keep auditioning - that's what I do

[MaryMag]

Some reasons why you may not be getting cast:

1) You are not strong enough in your acting, singing, or dancing
2) You have too many scheduling conflicts
3) You have a reputation for being hard to work with or they see you having a bad attitude in the audition (doing something like being mean to the accompanist or other auditioners for example)
4) You don't have enough experience
5) You're not at the professional level your competition is at
6) You're not a strong auditioner
7) You remind them of someone they hate
You don't have the right look for that particular show/role

what you can do:
1) take voice lessons, acting classes, and tap and ballet and jazz classes. i canNOT stress the importance of training enough.
2) don't have so many conflicts. keep your evenings free for rehearsals.
3) don't be hard to work with. be on time. be positive. be outgoing and friendly, sometime shyness is misinterpreted as snobbishness. say thank you a billion times to a billion people. keep your promises. go above and beyond.
4) get experience at other theaters. if thats not possible, get experience doing other things - sing in a church choir, take a dance class or teach a dance class, assistant direct, do tech, etc.
5) if everyone else has quality headshots and resumes, it's time you get em too. if everyone else is dressed up at the aud, you gotta be at that level too. no singing a capella if there's an accompanist there. no showing up for a wellknown musical audition without listening to the show first and reading the script/libretto.
6) audition like crazy. audition for everything. even things you know you can't do. auditioning is a skill in and of itself. it's a muscle that will only get strengthened if you work it! the more you go to, the easier it'll get
7) out of your control
out of your control. but you can at least not purposely sabotage yourself. meaning if you're a little black boy there's nothing you can do to be right for Sandy in Grease. However, if you want to be right for Sandy in Grease, don't come with your hair in a pink mohawk, covered in tattooes, and wearing leather. Come in clothes, hair, and makeup suggestive of Sandy's character. Soft, feminine, bright, energetic, naieve.

just some thoughts

[Bianca.]

'what you can do:
1) take voice lessons, acting classes, and tap and ballet and jazz classes. i canNOT stress the importance of training enough.
2) don't have so many conflicts. keep your evenings free for rehearsals. '


..and so goes the ridonkulous inconsistency that is the life we choose to lead.


how does one take all these lessons, and keep evenings free!


lol.

Please see my rhetoric venting for what it is, and don't take me seriously.

[MaryMag]

[Bubblan]

true

[MsDivaKate]

You also could be very strong in all the areas and have a great look, but we obviously don't know that because we can't see you lol

So I'm going to assume the best and wonder if perhaps it is politics that play into effect at all in your not being cast.

I have a difficult time myself getting cast in one particular community theatre in my area, despite a former director there RAVING over my voice in auditions. However I don't take it as an insult to my performance abilities or anything of that like, as the same group of people are in every single show that is produced at this venue, almost regardless of which company is putting up a show there because all the companies who use the venue are almost intertwined with one another, so to speak.

Its frustrating and many of the shows aren't very well done anyways, so its hard to find good, quality work in my area. But keep your chin up, keep auditioning and working on the various aspects of your craft on the side-acting, singing, dancing-and hopefully something will turn up soon.

[music is my life!!!]

Politics!

I always lose parts cuz I only joined 2 yrs ago!

There's always the minor chance that it was because i'm more of an actor than a singerso i couyldn't get Bet but I was too young for Mrs Sowerberry...

Oh well, at least i didn't lose the part of Eponine to a better singer... need singing lessons... need singing lessons...need singing lessons...need singing lessons...need singing lessons[/size[size=7]]...need singing lessons...need singing lessons...need singing lessons...need singing lessons...

[southernsweetie23]

I have had the exact same problem. Just keep trying! Something will come.
Also, look for really small community theatres in neighbooring counties. Usually, not a lot of people audition for those I've noticed.

[julia]

Basically

1) Don't give them reasons NOT to cast you...just about everything falls under this category.

2) Make sure your personality shines though.

3) Keep trying!! This is one of the hardest things to do, especailly when you're disappointed, but don't lose faith!!