[Fosca]

I’ve been preparing for my audition for 42nd Street for five months now. I’ve put in so much effort in my craft. So much that I’ve read all of the books Jazzy has suggested on this board. I’ve took advice from her regarding my type and music selection. I’ve finally gotten to the point where I’ve got a solid audition. I’ve practically been living for this play since last June, but there is a very serious problem.

I have a stalker that’s going to try out in the play. He keeps telling me that he “fell in love” with me since he saw me when I preformed in All My Sons. The only reason he’s trying out is very evident. He wants to get cast in a romantic part along side me. It’s starting to frighten me so much that I’m thinking of skipping this audition.

First of all, is there any kissing in 42nd Street? I’ve never had a problem with kissing an actor on stage before, but I know that my body will physically shut down in fear if I have to kiss this guy. I’m afraid that if he’s cast aside me in a romantic part that it will only encourage his delusions, and that alone frightens me to the point where I just want to blow the audition entirely.

Can anyone help me out here? I’m practically scared out of my wits, and I’m afraid all my hard works gone to waste now.

[jazzygirlsings]

First of all...I'm really glad that you have read that were suggested by myself and others on this board, along with all the obvious preparation that you have done for this audition. This knowledge will help you through so much more than this audition only and you'll find it to be a big help in the long run.

This is an interesting question. There is kissing between Dorothy and Pat Denning, Dorothy and Billy, Peggy and Billy, Peggy and Julian...and I believe that's it...

Don't sweat it...it is THEATRE after all...I've had to kiss people I absolutely LOATHED! (One I actually FOUGHT with RIGHT before going onstage and had to KISS HIM IN THE NEXT SCENE!)...It's called ACTING folks. Honestly, it was probably one of the best love scenes I've done! LOL!

Just remember that it's not real life. This guy can say he kissed you perhaps, but in theatre, it means NOTHING...And who's to say that you will get parts opposite each other anyway?

Don't let one person stand in the way of doing a fun show that you've worked hard to prepare an audition for. Many times, in pro theatre, you don't even meet the person you'll be acting against until the first rehearsal. And who's to say that you will or will not like that person in real life?

You do the best you can with what you are given. And parts haven't even been cast yet.

And honestly, you learn the most from these experiences...

Don't give up now! You're so close!

[Celeste_SM]

Let me just add to that... go ahead an audition. You never know who will get cast. But if you have the sense that this guy is likely to be cast, and you will not be comfortable working with him, let them know!

I'm with jazzygirl - it's acting. But acting is one thing. Acting with someone who has an obsession with you is something else. If he's really nutty, and we can't judge that for you, then I wouldn't do a show with him.

So, go ahead an audition. But if this is that important to you, and it comes down to it, then let them know. Don't be hysterical or over-dramatic. A quiet side word with the stage manager or PA should be enough to let them know where you stand. The risk is that they'll think you're the nutty one. But if that happens, well - you're better off, right? Better that you be comfortable in life than get into one show.

[QuaxoCoricopat]

I would go to the audition as normal, and not worry about him. Don't allow him to get next you, and if he tries to insist don't be afraid to loudly tell him to back off. Don't be afraid to make a scene. Anyone with an ounce of common sense isn't going to hold it against you.

People tend to have a sense about creeps, so I doubt he'll get terribly far in the audition process. Worst comes to worst and he gets called back for a role opposite you, I would be frank with the stage manager/director/someone in charge. Tell them that you feel threatened by his previous behavior toward you and do not feel comfortable working opposite him. They will most likely take your side in this, and he'll get weeded out pretty quickly.

[disneybeauty]

Has this guy done anything else to make you suspiscious? Has he done anything creepy, aside from say he's in love with you? Has he tried to show up at your school, pretend to be a friend of yours to get your number from someone you know, or write you love letters? The only reason I ask is that I have had all of this happen and more(he showed up at my house with a gun and was going to kill me). If this is so, then take any and all evidence to the police and make them aware of the situation. If you know anyone on the audition panel that you can talk to, try to alert them to the possible risks.
If he's really just smitten, I am sure if you tell him to back off he'll do it.
My point is, don't take issues of personal safety too lightly. Everyone around me at the time of my very scary encounter kept saying my stalker was harmless, but obvioulsy that wasn't true.
Go to the audition, do your best, and if you need to a swift knee to the groin ought to teach him a lesson.

[Fosca]

Thank you all for your advice. I’m not sure if he’s very dangerous yet. I’m very worried by his behavior though. It seems to be escalating each day I see him at school. I first started to get worried when he wouldn’t stop trying to hug me. He acts like I owe him my love, because he’s had such a difficult life (I don’t believe it though, because I think he’s just trying to get attention). I know he has a bad temper. This alone makes me feel very uncomfortable. I’ve told him I already have a boyfriend, and yet he still won’t give up on his pursuit. If I had to kiss him on stage, I fear it would encourage his obsession.

I also don’t mind kissing people on stage even if they’re strangers. It’s just this one guy that creeps the hell out of me, and I can’t even stand being in the same room with him in theatre class. Like I said, I think having to kiss him would cause me to mentally and physically shut down. I know that I can’t handle this, and that’s why I just want to blow the audition.

As for talking to the director, I don’t really think he’s going to believe me. I fear he’ll think that I’m trying to take control of his show or something like that. *sigh* I just don’t know what to do. I want to be in the show, but I’d rather not do the show if he’s in it.

[QuaxoCoricopat]

If the director honestly thinks that you're trying to "control" the show by telling him how uncomfortable you are, he's a jackass. Is this a high school, college or community theatre production? Because if it's a school production and the director punishes/diminishes your concerns for your safety then he's in trouble.

Now, most people have the decency that when someone tells them that so-and-so is stalking them to believe them, and restrict so-and-so's access to his victim. If the director's not a decent human being, then you really didn't want to be in his show anyway.

Actually, what you should do is talk to school authorities NOW, about how you don't feel safe with his creepy behavior. If he's hugging you without permission that's sexual harassment, and he's going to be punished. He might be suspended for a period of time, or prohibited from extraciricular activites.

[jazzygirlsings]

Honestly, I wouldn't freak out about anything until the cast list goes up. Neither of you have been cast for sure, so I would just chill out until the list goes up. I think it's better to take it to the director (should you be cast opposite him) during rehearsal periods...

And honestly, I think the best thing is to let this kid know how you feel. Tell him that, while you are flattered that he likes you, you just don't feel the same way. And let him know when he's invading your space. A simple, "please don't do that, it makes me feel uncomfortable" usually works...

Many times, people aren't aware that what they are doing is making you uncomfortable and it doesn't sound like you've spoken directly to him. I would rather have less people involved and just talk to him directly. You could easily nip this in the bud if you do that. I know, it sounds daunting, but you will find that it's probably the most professional thing you can do.

If he still pursues you, THEN you have a big problem. Just be straight-up with the guy before others get involved.

[Fosca]

In class today that same guy did a monologue "paralleling" his unrequited love to what's going on right now while staring straight at me. I've really got this bad feeling about him. I've decided to go straight to the director tomorrow, because he just keeps getting worse and worse. It's like he's trying to scare me into dating him which is never going to happen.

Any tips on talking with the director about this? What should I say? How do I tell him without looking like I'm trying to make decisions for him?

[jazzygirlsings]

Honestly, I think you need to grow some cajones and talk to the boy. Just be straight up. Getting the director involved without telling this kid straight-up is a mistake.

You need to talk to this guy instead of involving everyone else. And, in his defense, it's a lot more fair to him to let him know how you feel. If you don't communicate this to him, these moments will continue to happen, even off the stage...

Before talking to the director, talk to this kid.

[Fosca]

He hasn't signed the audition sheet yet. I've decided to wait until I'm sure he's auditioning for this play until I say something. I'm not going to approached the kid though, because then he can say that I instigated it (it's been used against me last time I had a stalker). If he talks to me again, I'll tell him though.

Gosh, I don't even know what to do about this anymore. Thanks for your advice Jazzy, it's really helping me get through this.

[jazzygirlsings]

No problem, sweetie!

Hang in there!

It is probably best if he does say something to you or hugs you or whatever that you can THEN initiate some open communication. I would keep the director, etc. out of it as long as you can.

And it's a good thing he hasn't signed up yet. Is the kid a very good actor? Just because he signs up doesn't mean he'll get anything...so I wouldn't sweat it...

[Fosca]

As far as his acting ability goes, it’s very poor in my opinion. In class, he always picks out angry monologues and never tries anything new. When he acts these monologues, they’re always an overacted mess. He can’t take criticism at all from the instructor, because he thinks that his way is the best way (in his last monologue anyways, but I think he’s using it to vent at me where I can’t escape).

I saw him in chorus for a children’s show before (this was long before any of this had started). He doesn’t keep up with his dance steps well, and I think the only reason he got a part was because the director felt sorry for him. I don’t think it matters much though, because some of the principle roles don’t require tap dance (Pat, Julian). Basically I doubt that he’ll get a lead over some of the other brilliant actors in the department, but I know there is a possibility as long as he tries out.

I don’t think he’s a serious actor though. If he was serious about a career, he wouldn’t be behaving like this. If I came forward with this, it could completely damage his career. He probably wouldn’t be considered for any of the plays at our college, because the theatre department is very touchy about issues like this.

Thanks for your help. I've decided to audition. If he gets cast against me, I'll just drop my role in the play. I've only got one more semester at my college anyway so it wouldn't damage my career there.