[brown_eyed_actress]

What do yall think?

I auditioned for CATS this past week ... and felt that I did pretty well. My song was great ... no mess-ups ... and the dance audition (though it was freaking hard!) went fine as well.

I checked the website, and lo and behold ... no callback! Very upsetting to say the least ... but when I did look at it ... this note was posted at the top of the page:

If you are not on this list, it does not mean that you are not cast in the show, and does not necessarily mean that you will not be cast in one of these roles. There are many decisions left to make about the exact male/female balance and dancing/singing balance that we want, and that process includes many people not listed here.

What do yall think? Is this just an excuse to appease all the people who didn't get a callback ... or is it a legitimate statement? Personally, I don't ever remember someone getting a lead without a callback ... but I'm not sure. Let me know what yall think.

[theonetowatch]

That's how callbacks usually work at my high school, and it's actually true.

But when I did Annie Get Your Gun in middle school, the director said that no callback didn't mean no part, which was a lie.

I really don't know, I've seen it go either way. I guess it's a wait-and-see kind of thing.

[MaryMag]

I've been cast from an initial audition before, so they didn't bother to call me back. It discouraged the crap out of me and I was convinced I didn't get in, but eventually they called and offered a role. So it can happen. Though this has only happened to me twice. So it doesn't happen often.

[Chevstriss]

It doesn't happen often, and it happens to males more than females. The "this doesn't mean you're outta the running" means if some of the guys turn us down we'll have to call you.

women almost never turn a role down.

[broadwayxdoll]

i have a history of getting no callbacks and getting good parts. i dunno.

[LisaKitty]

A lot of it depends on the theatre, but in my experience, at least 90% of the time it is just a nice way of saying that they don't really want to cast you, but might consider you if others they offer roles to turn them down.

On the other hand, I have also worked with several community theatres that only call back principals, and cast chorus/cameo roles from the initial auditions (again, after they determine how many of those called back for principal roles but don't get them won't accept chorus).

[Celeste_SM]

When I post that (as a stage manager), it is always the truth, although for most people, no callback = not in the show. But we don't post that just to spare peoples feelings. We only post it if there are some folks we know we want, but that we don't need to see again, and we don't want them immediately accepting other roles when they aren't called back to our show.

So don't discount it entirely.

[Glissando]

I almost never get callbacks (I've been in 12 shows, I've had callbacks for...5? 6? At most?) and I pretty much always get cast (except for this one theatre...(long, bitter story).

[kozafluitmusique]

Depends on the director...

I know people who have had excellent auditions, didn't get a callback, and didnt' get a part.

But again...that director casts weirdly.

[Patrick]

[Eponine93]

It really depends... a lot of time, no call back means you're immediately in the ensemble because they don't see you in the part, for a variety of reasons. This is especially true in a show like Cats, which has a big ensemble.

Mainly, however, people get parts without callbacks if someone drops out. Depending on the integrity of the other auditioners, you may still be up for a part.

[tinkrbell]

i just auditioned for a musical and didnt get a callback come to find out i got a part and then some1 didnt except there part so i got even a better part . so it can happen .

[Sean]

This happened to me last summer. I wasnt called back and I thought I was just going to be ensemble but I got a supporting role! And this past summer I couldnt make the callbacks, so I thought I was out of the running for the lead...but nope I still got it. So sometimes its true.

[The Drama Queen]

You really can't read there minds at all, not matter what people on here are going to say. I'd say you still probably have a chance at the ensemble, which in a show like Cats, is a blast! (this is coming from someone who was just in it!) So you basically have to just wait and find out. Sorry! Good luck!

[Chevstriss]

alot also depends on how well the director knows you. If you've worked w/ them alot sometimes a phone call expressing interest can get you a part w/ out an audition.

But someone who's never seen you before isn't going to put you in an ensemble w/ out a callback.

BTW I've auditioned for CATS many times but have never done the show. I'm not sure where people are getting the idea that it is easy to get into the ensemble. Cats ensemble are diva dancer bunheads and gymnasts, even in amateur productions.

[brown_eyed_actress]

Hey guys! Thanks for all your great input ... as it turns out ... I didn't make the show. It turns out that there was a lot of nepetism in this round of auditions (the director's daughter got Demeter ... big surprise there) ... but, as it turns out ... it was for the better because I'm auditioning for a straight play called "The Mummy's Claw" in the next few weeks and I feel like I'll have a better chance in that one. The professional theatre company I've been working with is also doing another run of HSM with me as Taylor ... and since I actually get paid for that ... it's all good!

Thanks again though ...

[music is my life!!!]

i never get callbacks cuz the directors always hate me...



i get other parts though (so will you!)- keep your chin up!