[metaphor17]

hey everyone!

I'm auditioning for a community production of Fiddler in a few weeks, and I would REALLY like to be Chava, but I don't know if I physically fit the role.

HERE IS A DESCRIPTION OF ME:

I have red hair and brown eyes. I'm 16 years old. I have played a Jewish girl twice already in productions at theatres in the area, even though I'm actually Lutheran

I can sing anything from Alto 1 to Soprano 1, I have 9 years of training and I currently study with a respected vocal chairperson at a college with a very good reputation for music. I have no doubt that I could sing the part very well.

I know the role of Chava is dramatic: I also have 10 years of acting training with equity actors, and I'm sure that I can perform the scenes convincingly and emotionally.

I have five years or so of dance training; I can move well and remember steps very well. I'm not very flexible, but I am currently dancing ballet in a musical dance corps (with the choreographer of the upcoming Fiddler production she's so nice!) and I'm pretty good at it! I'm doing all the same moves as the choreographer does, and she says I'm doing very well.

I'm good at accents and I pick them up easily. Does Chava have an accent?


HOWEVER: I am TINY! I'm 5'1". I weigh about 100 pounds. I look pretty old in the face; by looking at my head I could be up to 21 years old (especially in stage makeup). But will my height kill my chances??

note: I don't know if this matters but I do have a connection to the theatre. I know most of the production staff and I was Mary Lennox in their production of The Secret Garden a couple years ago with the same staff. so they know I'm reliable and stuff.



PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!

thank you SO MUCH! it would be soooooo helpful if you would post your opinions

[I Love Lockstock]

It would probably depend on how the Hodel and Tzeitel look, you know? If they know that you're talented and reliable and all that good stuff, then perhaps they'll look past the height and go for the talent!

[Sweeney Hyde]

If your right for the part you'll be picked. I can't see hieghth as an issue for Chava, it may help to be shorter since Tzietel and hodel are older...

[Mark Walton]

[metaphor17]

thanks so much Mark!! I'm planning on getting the DVD from the library or something.

[star2ballie]

You sound like you'd make a fine Chava. She isn't supposed to be incredibly old, I'm seventeen and playing her, but I am short, only 5'2".

It does depend on the other sisters. For instance, the Hodel in my production (my best friend ) is my same age but she is a few inches taller than I am, and has an overall 'older' appearance. Trust me, I can look old, but I can also look very young and 'fresh-faced'.

The biggest deal with playing Chava, from my continuing experience, is your acting. Chava actually doesn't have many lines or big scenes, not nearly as many as Tzietal or Hodel, BUT the scenes she does have (especially the scene after the Chavaleh ballet with Tevye - Salome calls it "gut-wrenching", haha), are intense. I leave rehearsal every day feeling absolutely emotionally drained, but I think that means I am doing a (somewhat!) good job. It's been tough because I danced and sang before I acted, but my acting teacher helped me so much.

As I said in the "Chava...dance" thread, don't worry too much. If you can handle a medium difficult port de bras sequence with ease, you should be fine. Even with that, though, it isn't the dancing so much as the emotion behind it.

You'll need to blow everyone out of the water at auditions. Make them cry! LOL. Please, keep us posted and if you have any questions feel free to PM me!

[metaphor17]

[elphclaudia]

I'm 5'4" and I played Chava. You should be fine.

Break a leg!