[bwaybrunette21]

Okay, so I know something like this has been a topic before. But I just want opinions for my own situation.

I'm going to be an eleventh grader - a junior in high school in the fall. I'm in basically all honors classes and I have to keep up the good grades - my parents are strict so I need to keep an A average in each class. I'm in a bunch of clubs and stuff for college credit and that's not so much the problem. I'm in the school's drama club and this year's show is -I'm pretty sure- most likely 42nd Street. I love this show and would really want to audition, so that's basically my top priority. I'm also involved in community theater, and I can only be in the teen theater or main stage shows... and then I'm also helping the kid's change into costume and whatever for the children's theater. With teen theater, there's a chance I can get a lead in our fall musical, Grease. But for main stage show, Annie, I'd definitely get a servant or poor person or maybe even Boylan sister or something along those lines.

I take lessons in this theater and I don't know if Annie's what I want to do - I was in it in seventh grade playing Annie, but that was almost 4 years ago. I don't know if I should spend my time working in ensemble in a show I've been in opposed to being a supporting role or lead in Grease, a hopefully good part in 42nd Street, or studying.

However, the big shows on the main stage are always a blast because you get to work with people who are five up to sixty five. Of course, the next show after, the March show, is Damn Yankees, maybe I could do that since the teen theater would be doing Oklahoma at the time and my school show would be over.

I'm really torn - I feel bad not doing Annie because I'm so devoted to this theater and UGH!

Advice anyone?

[OneSongGlory]

Good general advice is stay away from Annie.

[Sammy_beck]

I've done Annie three different times throughout middle and high school. Personally I wouldn't want to be on the stage again when it comes to Annie but you could always offer to help backstage that way you would still be apart of the production but you wouldn't have to devot the time that you would if you were acutally in the show. As for Grease, if you think that you have a shot for a supproting role or lead go for it. It is such a fun show to do. I loved playing Rizzo when I was a junior in high school it was so much fun and it's an expereince that I will remember for the rest of my life. 42nd street is a great show to. In fact most shows are great shows if you are working with great people. My advice for you is to figure out the show that you really want to do, don't think about anything else or the people that you might upset and when you've picked that show that's the one you should go for. Then if you think that you'll have time add your second favorite and if you don't feel to stretched offer to help out with the third backstage or in the tech booth, even if you've never done that before. It will look great on a college theater resume that you have done something besides acting.

[mtgirl118]

Which show is the most fun? Has the most fun people? Doesn't take too much time so you can still study?
Get a piece of paper. Draw 2 columns per show. Label them PRO and CON. You will have a total of 6 columns, correct? Now for each 2 label them a show. Such as 2=Annie, 2=42nd Street, 2=Grease. Write the pros and cons of each show. List everything you can think of, no matter how stupid. The list you have made will hopefully help you decide.
Happy choosing!

Ellen

[Imy]

Well here's the good news. All three of these shows will come around again in your lifetime. Several times. They're all overdone standbys, so you don't have to worry about missing an opportunity that won't present itself again.

You need to think about which show will give you the best overall experience. This doesn't always mean that you'll have the best part. For example, having a lead at a bad community theatre probably won't be much of a learning experience if the direction sucks and the rest of the company can't carry a tune.

So yes, think about what roles you might be cast in, but also think about who your fellow company members might be, what the venue is, who the directors are (this is an important one, directors can make or break a show depending on if they're bastards to work with), how long the runs of the shows are, etc. Whatever environment you think is best suited for your own personal growth as an actress, pick that one.

[bwaybrunette21]

Thanks everyone! I tried the column thing, thanks mtgirl. It looks like this:

42ND STREET
Pros: -Junior, chance at getting a good part
-All of my school friends are in it
-School recognition
-Sounds like a fun show
-The HS show is always famous for being great around here ... lot of publicity.
Cons: -Staying a little later after school for rehearsals
-Occasionally missing or rescheduling important lessons like voice, acting, and musical theater

GREASE
Pros: -I'm well known at this community theater and have a good history there
-Sounds like a fun show as well, good music
-All my theater friends do it
-I'm 16 and it's a show from ages 13-18 so I'm almost oldest
-Love love love love the director and crew!
Cons: -Even more rehearsal time
-Late rehearsals sometimes

ANNIE
Pros: -It's a fun show where all of the theater dorks of all ages in my town come together three times a year
-Cute show I guess?
-Often sold out and trust me..it's a big theater
Cons: I did it before and I played Annie
-Not a good chance of getting anything because I'm in a weird age group for this show & because it's the largest cast of all the shows
-My first two choices are 42nd Street and Grease which need a lot of rehearsal time
-A bit sick of it.



I'm going to call the center now and talk about helping back stage because I'd like more college credit! Thanks to whoever said that.

[what_the_heck013]

It appears that Annie has the most cons. Now it's between 42nd Street and Grease. If you are worried about your grades, I'd go with your school show, 42nd Street because they'll be more understanding about the importance of your grades. And they might be able to change the rehearsal schedule around big tests and other school events.

An afterthought: Often, the problem with high school shows (at mine atleast) is that they're very political and cliquey. Just thought I'd like to bring that up.

[MsDivaKate]

I'd say, since you have already done a production of Annie, do the others, as its nice to have a variety of shows on your resume.

Although I know fun is a huge factor as well. I have a friend who chose to do a production because of the people, got a supporting lead, but is miserable with the show itself and having to drive so far for rehearsals.

[bwaybrunette21]

Thanks again.

I called the director of Annie and he said I can still be part of the show by -
a) helping backstage during the show with costumes...etc.
b) help choreograph and block
c) help cast

Which I'm totally psyched about! He said I'd only have to come to a few rehearsals to work with the orphan dances.

I'm def. doing 42nd Street and Grease, but at least I can now still be part of the fun though not on stage!

Thanks everyone <3

[LisaKitty]

What a great compromise! And you'll get some really good backstage experience, which is always a good thing to have on your theatre resume.

[MademoiselleMusicals]

Just like to point out how helpful some of you posters are! Well done

[bwaybrunette21]

Yes! I'm so excited! Especially about the casting part lol I've never casted before. I'm not the head judge or whatever but I get to jot down notes during auditions and stuff which will help me with my own auditions.

thanks everyone!

[mtgirl118]

[Chevstriss]

[jazzygirlsings]

[bwaybrunette21]

I can't wait! The only thing is, I don't think I can be in the room when one of my sisters auditions. She's thirteen and really wants to be Annie, but I don't want to jinx anything =)

[katieanne]

casting is my absolute favorite part of the process. congrats. sounds like you made a great decision. i wouldn't have done annie (again) either.