I have heard that at some schools the acting professors choose shows so that they can play certain roles themselves. I thought that was in poor taste – now that has happened at my ***'s university. One of the acting professors took the lead in last Fall’s mainstage production. It was planned for the professor to have the role so the role was not open at auditions. It was disappointing to the students given how few mainstage roles a student might have an opportunity to play in a four-year college career. But, it was a good show, and the professor is well-liked, and it was a one-time thing . . . so everyone moved on. However, it has just been announced that this same professor will play the lead in the Fall 2017 mainstage production. Competition for lead roles is tough enough for students – now for two years in a row, the students will be shut out – it seems painfully unfair. It seems like a tough pill for the kids to swallow, twice.
Was this something that was known when students applied? I would think that for those students who could potentially be cast in that role if the professor didn’t take it, it would be a problem but that for other students, the opportunity to act opposite a seasoned performer could be a positive.
No, this was not known when the students applied – I had no idea it was “thing” at the time. But community members are allowed to audition for university productions, so it’s possible that roles might not always go to students – but even then the roles are by audition. I agree that there is value to be gained from acting opposite a professor – it just seems rough for this to happen two years in a row – when there are only 3 main stage productions a year.
Thank you for posting, I will add this to my list of questions to ask. I know I’d be unhappy if this were the case when my kid is college.
I saw a production of Next to Normal where the head of the acting dept at a respected MT school was playing the dad, and they brought in an alum from 10 years ago to play the Mom. I remember thinking that it seemed like an odd choice for a school show- only 3 students got to be in it
I think it would also depend on the particular show. If it is one that has a large cast and the professor is taking only one role that would be different than a small production where the professor is one quarter of the cast. Obviously, the type the professor is would be the most impacted.
My son is going to study tech and production so I would probably be concerned if the professors built the sets themselves or designed the lighting cues so I do get where the OP is coming from. What is the motivation for the professor taking on the roles?
My S has been in (and seen) a few collegiate shows where acting professors and/or alumni are cast. In the main stage (school-sponsored) musicals, the roles have been very small (and much older) roles and not leads or features. The outside collaborations are different and can have professionals/professors in lead roles. It is also happening at my kids’ PA HS - offering leads to alumni and therefore, taking the roles off the table for current students. I do not believe professors/alumni should be cast in major roles in school-sponsored shows (as opposed to collaborations with outside theaters). The point of the program is to train students and permit students to take risks and grow into bigger parts and not (necessarily) to put on professional-level shows every time.
Thanks for the responses – I just needed to vent, and I know other parents of Performing Arts students can relate. Yes, both of the roles the professor is taking are major roles. I know that in the long run for a professional actor, it won’t matter what roles you were cast or not cast in college – but right now the kids are training and building their resumes – it matters a lot. When there are only 2 plays and 1 musical a year, the kids have limited opportunities. And the works by their nature limit opportunities. One semester the play was an all female cast with 0 male roles. Once the play was an all male cast, and last Spring the play was an all male cast with 1 female role. One play was exclusive to one ethnicity. A show might require strong tap skills or gymnastics or a legit soprano . . . there are so many reasons why a student isn’t right for a part . … having a professor take role that a student can play . . well, it’s just one more lesson in the school of hard knocks.
There was a similar thing a couple of years ago at my son’s school, where the director of a main stage musical wanted to cast a very recent grad in one of the lead roles. It was announced after the deadline for requesting to be out of the casting pool, too, so kids didn’t have the option to opt out and try to get something outside school. There was a big controversy and a lot of the kids signed a petition to at least get more notice of outside casting, and I believe the school backed down and cast a student. (There may have been some casting blow-back for people who signed the petition, though.) Anyway, my feeling was that they should work with the kids that they are being paid very handsomely to teach rather than pulling in recent grads.
Many, many years ago, I was a freshman at a college in Texas (that NOW has a great theater dept.) and auditioned for the Main Stage musical. The Theater Dept. brought in a “Broadway” director for this production. I got a great role but the leads went to three people who were not university students. Grumbling began amongst cast members and before the third rehearsal - all three were enrolled for that semester. I learned a lot about politics that year!! I quickly got into some drama classes the next semester, but the drama majors were still fuming over the entire casting process (coupled with finding out I was in a sorority) and I got singled out and they refused to cast me in other shows. I am not sure where the Broadway Director went, but I loved him and really loved being in that musical.
This has happened at SEMO, most recently in the spring musical. They cast an alum as Jim in Big River. The students were very unhappy about it.
Wow, @songgirlsmom , that’s really unfair. I just don’t understand why a school would do this to their current students. If there are current students who fit the role and can play the role – an alum shouldn’t be given the role. The alum has had his or her shot at the university productions. Boo!
I can’t recall ever hearing of a school doing this. And to allow community members to audition for school productions? Wow.
Reminds me of when I went to see my niece’s dance recital and 3/4 of the performance was the teacher’s dance solo.
My niece is 10.
Lame. Yet not surprising. Complain to the administration, but anonymously. What are you paying for, anyway?