[jazzygirlsings]

This may sound a bit strange, but I have a question for Casting Directors out there...almost a survey...as I am WELL AWARE that you can't get inside a CD's head! LOL!

If you have someone audition for you that has done the same role in a show more than once does that count FOR them or AGAINST them when auditioning for the same show with a different company?

Today I was told that I was (AND I QUOTE) "Absolutely Perfect" and I didn't get called back for the role I had played two times...(Now I'm well aware it could have been because I was too tall, etc...)

But I got to thinking that perhaps they are afraid that they couldn't mold/change the interpretation I have of the character...(which is wrong-I've played it VERY differently both times and I continue to find new stuff with it!) Does that play a factor when casting someone in a show that they have done before?

Just curious as to different perspectives on this...

[MsDivaKate]

I have had that happen to me as well darling in roles I've played before and gone out for again. Most recent was West Side Story. I've been told by different casting directors that they have found my voice to be outstanding but then when its came to the call back process they've gone down the line and said what they had to each person and to me it was "And you..well you're amazing. But you can leave."

Its quite frustrating and I wonder the same thing as you. It well may be that they feel you may make the role stale from having played it a few times before or it just may be the nasty theatre politics rearing in our faces, which I think was the case in my situation as I went to see the production I had missed out on and I can't say I'm sorry I wasn't cast. Pop style version of "Somewhere" ? Oh I cringed.

[Starsweeper]

You know, it could be that casting directors think- "She's already had her chance, we should give to someone who never had the opportunity to play it before." Just a theory. It seems like this would especially hold true for really coveted parts, you know, the "dream roles" of musical theatre.

[MaryMag]

What a tough situation. To be told you're perfect, yet to receive no callback. There are a thousand explanations, but we'll probably never know the exact reason why you didn't get called back. And even if we did know the exact reason, you can't go back in time to change. However, I believe it was probably something specific to that audition/show/situation, so you probably don't want to change what you're doing. In other words, I don't think you should un-polish yourself! It's frustrating as all hell, but I don't think it's worth changing what you're doing... cuz you're obviously doing it 'perfectly.'

And who cares about that production of SOM - cuz MaryMag is already in your fan club. And you can't get anything better than that. I'm changing my sig right now to include the fact that I am in your fan club. Wait and see.

[jazzygirlsings]

^You are such a sweetie, MaryMag!

I'm far from being crushed about the situation or anything...I'm just wondering if playing the role before is truly an asset or not. And I'm certainly not going to "un-polish" myself! LOL!

And MsDivaKate...YIKES! "Somewhere" the pop version?! UGH! That sounds dreadful! I bet you were AMAZING in WSS! But I'm glad to know that I'm not the only person that questions how much of an asset playing the role before is. I really feel that oftentimes the director wants to know he/she can mold you into their vision of what that character should be...

But I am truly grateful that I've been able to play a really great dream role more than once!

[Jenem]

I'm thinking that your comment might be right Starsweeper, that they probably thought "she's had her chance already, so let's give someone else a shot."

This sort of similar situation has happend to me before, when I tried out for a professional production of Grease last year. I put on my sheet that I wanted the role of Sandy (having already played Marty in a community production). I gave my best audition ever, and they said the exact same thing: "That was perfect!" And I never heard back.

Sooo, I guess you do never know. The only thing I can think is that they thought I did quite well for myself, but maybe it wasn't up to the standard that they were looking for. I still think it was the best vocal audition I have ever given though.

Like they always say, everything happens for a reason. So, maybe you need to put Maria to rest for now, and move on to even badder tough guy roles

[jazzygirlsings]

I don't know if I agree with that so much on a professional level.

And I'm not all that upset about the audition itself. I was just curious what people thought about casting people who have already done a role...

But yes, I think it's time for me to do something different...we'll see how that turns out!

Though I must say that I was pretty excited because I get to be all sexy in this upcoming comedy that I'm doing in mid November...I even get a "cleavage" sight-gag! Now MARIA wouldn't EVER do that! LOL!

[Celeste_SM]

I can tell you that I've worked with directors who had concerns about casting someone in a role they've done more than once. Some actors really get the part ingrained in a way that makes new interpretations (or even simple new stage direction) difficult. But unless the person proved themselves totally resistant to direction, it would be rare to screen them out based on that alone. It's just a little nudge against you, that can be countered by the nudge that you will come in with a wealth of experience with the role and can become a contributing cast member that much more quickly.

In short, it all depends.

[shadowdancer]

Yeah, I agree: it is a director by director decision. When I am casting I take note if an actor has played the role before. If they audiiton and I liek them, I will call them back. I will have them read and see what there take is. If it is not where I see teh character heading, I will give them direction and see if they can be directed or if I htink they are great I iwll still have them do it a different way with direction to see if they would work. But still, I can;t admit it can be tough. Also, it could be a good thing. Sometimes you have only 2 weeks to put a show up, so that person would have a heads up. However if it is a really challenging part, really deep character stuff i.e. Sallky Bowles, Fosca, etc, I would pick someone who had not played it so we oculd start at the beginning, organicly, together. I suppose it doesn't seem fair but all casting agents and directors can cast as they choose. I am one of those guys who tries ot give everyone a fair share. Unfortunately, there are not so many like that out there.

[shadowdancer]

I also wanna say if teh actor has previosly played the role, they better walk in theer and knock some socks off. Teh casting people will eithe rlove them or completely eat them alive. I recently directed Cabaret and had some girls who sent in audition videos of when they did Slaly Bowles. And needless to say, yes they had played Sally before, but they really hsouldn't have. I hope thta makes sense. And then after that, you can't even consider them for anything else.

[jazzygirlsings]

^True...but these particular casting people said I was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! LOL! So I'm gonna venture to guess that it wasn't because my interpretation sucked...

Unless you hate me, which is what I'm starting to think...

But seriously, I understand that side of it as well...Just because you played it before doesn't mean you were good at it.

[opheliarose]

One other thing to keep in mind...

If the director isn't terribly experienced, you might be intimidating the HECK out of them!

[jazzygirlsings]

I hadn't thought of that angle before...Interesting...

[sunrae]

And you know Jazzy...being perfect is pretty intimidating for some people!

[jazzygirlsings]

LOL!

*Head expands and grows....


















POP!!!!!!!!!*