<p>D is trying to build up her book. She was told at BAA 3 years ago that she should be singing songs for the age she looks rather than the age she is (she was 13 at the time and went in singing something from "13" and was told that was too old for her).
Her teacher is giving her new MT songs that are age-appropriate, yet she would never be cast in those parts right now because of her look.
Any general thoughts or guidelines?
Thanks!</p>
<p>In casting, it really goes by stage age and not real chronological age. For example, my kid is now 23 and could play a teenager on stage. </p>
<p>That said, I think for college auditions, there is some leeway as you are not being cast for a role on stage. I think someone who is auditioning at age 17 or so, can audition with songs meant for teens and young adults and that are generally believable. Stick with a general age range category that is appropriate. I don’t think for college auditions that your D needs to stick with very young teen songs even if she is young looking. For casting, that is a different situation.</p>
<p>For the record, when my D auditioned for BFA in MT programs, she was 16 years old and a junior in HS. Thinking back to her two main songs (there was a third song for schools that wanted pre-1960), one song was meant for a teenage character. The other song is from a role that is more upper 20s. It didn’t seem to be a problem as she did get into several programs.</p>
<p>I auditioned for a production of Phantom of the Opera. I’m a classically trained ballerina so I was going out for the role of Meg. However, I’m 4’10" and look like I’m about 13 (I’m seventeen). I sang young Cosette’s song “Castle on a Cloud” from Les Mis. I got the part. But that might not be the truth for every opportunity. Meg has a young sounding voice and the song worked to my advantage in that area. But I’m not sure how this theory would hold up for a college audition.</p>
<p>BAA and college are two separate beasts (babyfrog has experience with both). BAA is really looking at finding work NOW (did your kiddo participate in the industry showcase?), and so want the casting directors, etc. to get a snapshot of what they could cast a kid for in a current show. Although they offer some (minimal) college information, they are really thinking of the working actor. They also have fantastic training and masterclasses – my kid has attended several times, both as a student and work study.</p>
<p>Colleges are looking at a snapshot of skill sets – not necessarily looking at casting a particular show, but at “casting” a class. Does this student have the skills to work and learn in our college program? </p>
<p>Kiddo’s voice teacher’s advice was to choose songs that are believable for you, not overdone, that show something really cool about you that you want to showcase. College productions are often quite different from community productions (in many college productions, students have to be versatile enough to play any age that the chosen musical calls for…). Community productions, well, they draw upon the wider community (age/type range – doubtful that it’s a roomful of 18-22 year olds with fantastic training). BAA is looking to find work, in New York, for child actors. They’re pretty good at it. They also look to providing excellent training for their summer programs. Colleges are looking to find students that they can work with, that show some training and also some “teachability”. </p>
<p>Good luck with the search and the process. It’s quite an adventure.</p>