[disneybeauty]

I am being a little pre-emptive, but I need some advice/perspecitve on my current problem.:
I auditioned for Chronicles of Narnia for the roles of the White Witch and the Narrator. After seeing my resume and dance background, the assistant director had me do the dance audition as well. Before the audition, I had talked with the director, whom is a friend of mine, and told her that I did not want to dance specifically because that's what everyone wants me to do when they see my resume( I was a pro ballerina, I am done). Don't get me wrong, I like to dance, but this is a play, not a musical, and I really want to just act in a show, not be "the dancer".
So, there was only one other person up for the witch, and our cold readings were very similar. What am I to do if the director gives her the part of the witch and wants me to dance? I don't want to be rude, but at the same time, I am trying to build my acting skills and repetoire, not my dance repetoire.
HELP!!

[dwarves r very upsetting]

I would think that if you made it clear that you wanted an acting role, then you don't have to accept a dancing one. It is clear that you have more than enough dancing experience. If the director is a friend of your she should understand that you are trying to build your acting repetoire. Since you were straight with her, she can't be upset it you turn the dancing role down.

On the other hand you may get the white witch and then you don't have to worry about it.Good luck either way!

[disneybeauty]

Thanks. . . I hate being in the position to ever have to say no to a friend.

I hope that I do get to be the White Witch. For some reason, I never get to be the bad girl. During our cold readings, it was sort of strange; I read first with less than 30 seconds to look at the scene, she had her own copy of the script, yet our cold readings were very similar. She took the same pauses I did, and had almost all of the same emphasis on words. It was kind of weird. The other girl was a teen-ager, so it just depends on whether the director wants an adult witch, or a teenage witch.

[LisaKitty]

Sounds like you have a good shot at getting cast as the White Witch, which is awesome! That's the role I wanted when we did Chronicles of Narnia, though I ended up getting and loving the role of Susan. Really there's nothing you can do right now, so don't sweat it.

And if you do end up being offered a dance role, there is no shame in turning it down. Especially since you were up front with the director at the beginning that you weren't interested in a dance role this time. I know it's hard to turn down a role, especially when it's a friend directing, but you have to consider what is right for *you*.

[disneybeauty]

Thanks for the encouragement. . . it's exactly what I needed.

[disneybeauty]

FYI. . . callbacks are tonight, and neither myself or the teen-ager I read against for the part of the White Witch were called back. From the list I received, the director is only calling back the kids(Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy). Hopefully, I will have good news later this weekend. Wish me merde!

[dwarves r very upsetting]

Good Luck! Keep us posted!

[Chevstriss]

I think putting the White Witch en pointe would look really neato.

[star2ballie]

with sweet white pointe shoes...mmm... *imagines*...

similar to odettes...but with more snowy type things than feathers...COOL!

[Kaiana]

[disneybeauty]

It's from my days as a professional ballerina. It's like saying break a leg, but for dancers, you say merde.

[disneybeauty]

Jsut saw the thing about dancing en pointe. Love to. . . but were performing on grass at an outdoor amphitheatre. Can't bourree on grass.

[PappyCat]

[disneybeauty]

YES!

[disneybeauty]

So . . . it's Wednesday, and still no cast list . . . rehearsals start next week. . . . dare I hope that I might still get the part?

[PappyCat]

Be sure to let us know how it turns out!

[disneybeauty]

Cast list jsut went up and I was cast as a friggin' dancing nymph. WTF!?!
If I wanted to be a dancer I would still be dancing professionally, not to mention she (the director) knew I didn't want to dance.
Well, now I have to figure out a way to bow out gracefully without offending her.

[dwarves r very upsetting]

That totally sucks. I'm sorry. I would just let her know what you appreciate the offer of the dancing nymph. But you have enough dance experience and are really concentrating on your acting right now. Thank her for the offer of the part, but politely refuse it. Good luck!

[disneybeauty]

Yes, I will probably just tellher the truth. I hope she doesn't resent me for it, but I told her I didn't want to dance.

[disneybeauty]

Okay, I am jumping my own post to ask the question: What do I do now so I don't keep getting cast as "the dancer"? I am tired of directors casting me to do all of the dancing. I am starting to feel like a one-trick pony. I have taken all of the acting classes offered in my area, I take weekly classes with my vocal coach. I make sure that when I do audition, I don't put anyone off by being snotty,aloof, hyper, whatever, etc.
I am just so tired of only being offered dancing roles lately. Especially with this last show, because my whole reason for auditioning was to do a straight play to work on my acting. Had I known beforehand that the director was looking for dancers, I would not have gone.
I have had otheracting jobs before . . . I just don't get what's changed? Maybe I am too old and no one has the guts to tell me.
Sorry, rant complete.

[DaddyDiesel]

Hmm will I think the only thing you can do is keep trying. Tell driectors I am not looking at a dancing specific role. Keep Auditioing. What are you currently aditioing for. Proffesional? Semi Prof? Comunity? Another thing is audition for straight plays. Its tought o cast you in the dancing role if you are trying out for a straight play. If you are working on that acting resume it might be good to have a few straight plays on there. Just a few suggestions.

[disneybeauty]

This last audition was a straight play (Lion Witch and Wardrobe). And I specifically chose to audition so I could work on just the acting side. That's what's frustrating. Why the director threw in dancing nymphs I have not the slightest. This one was for a community theatre, although I also do semi-pro,and a little pro theatre. It's hard in my area because so many of the better companies have changed and are doing more youth shows (think Disney Jr, High School Musical, Les Mis Jr.). Or the directors "know what they like" (which translates to "like what they know". and only cast their friends).
I am so frustrated DaddyDiesel. But thank you for your words of advice. I'll keep looking for straight plays. One theatre here is doing "steel Magnolias". What do you think of that play?

[DaddyDiesel]

Steel Magmolias, well the good news there is no dancing Nymphs in that particular show. I have never seen the show. But I have a lot of friends be in it or see it. They always say its a great show. So I would say go for it. Be confident and have fun, Put your best foot forward and hope for the best. That is all one can do.

[disneybeauty]

Thanks again DaddyDeisel. I will definietly look into "Steel Magnolias".

[audreydarling]

[disneybeauty]

Thanks, I am planning some more auditions, but I haven't quite settled on which ones. I may go to all of them and sort it out later. We'll see. Thanks again.

[MsDivaKate]

Good luck dear in trying to break your mold as "the dancer". My sister is only 17 (though she'll be 18 in a few months) and she's already been typed into that role and barely considered for anything but. She struggles with it and even though she is equally talented in voice and acting, she just can't get out of the dancer roles-hotbox girl in Guys and Dolls, follies girl in Crazy For You etc.

She's got a Birdie audition coming up soon and while she is auditioning for Kim and Ursula, she fears that she's going to be stuck with Gloria Rasputin, even though its a character dance cameo.

So I know how you feel and hopefully the next straight play you audition for won't pull some random dance role out of nowhere

[disneybeauty]

Thank you, and tell your sister break a leg from me. I played Rosie in 2005, and it was so much fun. My best friend was Gloria, and she was such a scene-stealer. She even blew bubble-gum bubbles while doing her 'dance'.