<p>A friend who works for Telsey Casting tells me that they had over 1000 people at the open call today. Was just wondering if any of you NYC kids were there? :)</p>
<p>What a good reason to have a great agent in NYC........Thus the importance of a strong Senior Showcase.....</p>
<p>Rent auditions were looking for singers in their 20's. Dec. 14 & 15 are auditions for Movin Out. Again ages 20's-30's.</p>
<p>Sissy, anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 of the kids auditioning at any of these open calls are going to be in the 17-20 range, despite what the call notice states, especially for Rent, which has more than occasionally cast actors still in their teens.</p>
<p>Oh, I agree. I just have both of these casting calls on my email. I was just stating what they say. I agree with you though that teens audition.</p>
<p>My D went to the rent audition! She had a blast. She got there by 8:00 a.m (was supposed to sign up at 9:30) and was number 393! After waiting around for hours, she got in to the first part which was being type cast on stage. Apparently, they look for someone who could fit a principal player part because the extras are also the understudies. Some were let go right then. My D was put in the "Maureen" group. Then she got to go to another room and sing her acapella song. She said they were really so nice to everyone. After singing, the man handed her a card to go on to the next step and she got to sing again before a different group. </p>
<p>She was so excited to have gotten that far. They said you could hear from them in a week, a month, a year. (So basically, don't hold your breath!) She knows that she probably will never hear from them, but what a blast of a time she had. Also made some nice friends while waiting on line.</p>
<p>Lynn, I think it is neat for your daughter to even experience an open call in NYC and to see what it was like. And hey, while nothing may come of it, she did get past two little steps so she felt positive. All auditioning is a good experience as you get better at it by doing it and you also become more confident in such situations. For a young person going into this field, it was good she even experienced what a NYC open call is like. All a great learning experience. And hey, it was even for RENT, what not to like? She can say she auditioned for RENT :D !</p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Susan - Absolutely...on all counts. She was so suprised how supportive everyone was....Not only the other kids in line, but the people running the whole audition. She heard one of the men in charge say to someone who wasn't singing "her best" "Take a breath, I know you can do it!". They didn't have to be nice to anyone, with over 1,000 people there, yet they were very kind. What a great first experience.</p>
<p>Here is the information for Movin' Out auditions:</p>
<p>MOVIN'OUT Wed, Dec. 14, 11am for Female Dancers, Thurs, Dec.
15, for Male Dancers, Ripley Grier Studios, 520 8th Ave (between 36 &
37) ECCs will be held for Movin' Out, the musical based on the music
of Billy Joel and the choreography and direction of Twyla Tharp.
Please be warmed up and ready to dance at respective times. Female
dancers, please bring ballet shoes, pointe shoes, jazz shoes, and
character shoes with heel. Male dancers, please bring ballet shoes,
jazz shoes and knee pads. Please bring picture and resume stapled
together. Equity Chorus procedures are in effect. Dancers of all
ethnic backrounds are encouraged to attend this call. Seeking:
charismatic male and female dancers, mid 20s-30s, for future
replacements for all ensemble roles for the National Touring
companies. Dancers must have MAJOR ballet technique, good partnering skills, and background in modern and jazz. Ballet training ESSENTIAL. No singing required. If unable to attend call, please send picture and resume to Binder Casting, 321 W. 44th St, Suite 606, New York, NY 10036 Attn: Movin' Out.</p>
<p>Lynn, I'm glad your D had a good experience. The Telsey people are very good at these open calls. I'll tell my friend about the good feedback! It's always nice to hear that. Your D is correct in that they 'type-out' people at the very beginning. For Rent, in particular, they need very specific 'types' for each role. They haven't varied much from the original casting ten years ago, and this carries through right down to the swings. However, because it is such a diverse group of characters, there's almost a role for every type. :) Although it's possible that your D won't hear anything from them, it's also possible that she will. It's not unheard of for people to be cast after being called back several times over the course of many months. So ya never know!</p>
<p>Sissy, I'm fairly sure that that notice for Movin' Out is an Equity call only, which makes it unlikely that anyone here would be going.</p>
<p>I was just passing on the information just in case. Someone may know someone this would apply to, you never know.</p>
<p>I really hope Rent stays on Bway for a few more years so that I can audition for Maureen....</p>
<p>Lynn I would agree she may hear back from them. My D auditioned for Hairspay, Lil' Inez, in an open call and after 4 months we got a call completely out of the blue that they wanted to see her again. She went to NYC for the call back- which was about the coolest experience she ever had. The other adults there for the audition were so nice, Simba and one of hyenas from LK, someone else who was then hired on ... And at the call back they spent about 10 minutes with her not the typical 30 seconds of the open call. Then we heard nothing again for another 3 or so months when they were finally actually looking for replacements they called again to see her, but alas she was over the height limit.
But they did call back and we are not in NYC, which we are told is a huge disadvantage.</p>
<p>And as for ages on the calls. There were clearly adults auditioning for the role of Lil Inez and they have put an adult in on tour. What we have been told is if you are an emanicipated teen who can 'play' the age - go. But if you are 16 and still in school its probably not worthwhile.</p>
<p>How fun! What a great experience that must have been for your daughter. Just curious: did she choose to sing a song from Rent? Also, I have heard of many people being called back MONTHS after an audition. In fact, my d auditioned for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 2 years ago (she was 16, but she can play 11-12 easily as she is only 4'10 and looks young). Almost a year later, she was called for a part - not for CCBB, but for a reading at Lincoln Center. We couldn't figure out how she was called, but then she recognized the casting agent from CCBB at the Lincoln Center audition. So they might remember your d and call her for a different audition (and you won't have to pay an agent's fee! Woo hoo!!) Tell your d good job to get that far!!!</p>
<p>RossJi...great point you make that when you audition, one benefit is BEING SEEN and so sometimes when you are not cast for a role, but they like you, they may keep you in mind for the future if another role/show comes up where you might be right.</p>
<p>I just want to clarify that you do NOT pay an agent's fee unless you are cast and you are being paid to work. You don't pay the agent simply to get you auditions.</p>
<p>Susan's right about the agent's fees. It's true that there is also always the chance that you'll be called for a different show entirely. I know of several cases where this has happened. Telsey does casting for several shows currently running, DRS, Sweeney, Wicked, Odd Couple, Color Purple, etc.</p>
<p>rossji, it's unlikely that lynn's D sang anything from Rent. Call notices for Rent always say absolutely no MT songs. They want to hear 16 bars of a rock, gospel, or pop song. If you make it through the initial stages, then you'll get to sing a song from the show itself. :)</p>
<p>Some of you know I was a casting drector for 15 years. </p>
<p>It is almost always the case that roles are cast with actors who are older who can play young. This isalways the preference if possible.</p>
<p>This is done for a variety of reasons. The most beneficial, especially on a film set, is that restricted work hours are lifted. State labor laws trump whatever union rules would apply to the hiring of minors and they can be a pain for producers.</p>
<p>Also directors like working with a more mature actor for obvious reasons. Attitude, lack of guardian and tutor expenses/hassels, life experience and the fact that other union rules woudn't apply.</p>
<p>Of course in this business anything can happen!</p>
<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>My D sang "I have Nothing" by Whitney Houston. Alwaysamom is correct. It said absolutely no MT songs.</p>
<p>and Susan,
I think rossji meant the agent's commission wouldn't apply because the actor got the audition from a referral and not through her agent's submission.</p>
<p>Although certainly actors should know better, there are dishonest people out there who try to take advantage of young performers every day. It's a good reminder, Susan and I am glad you mentioned it.</p>
<p>ONLY PAY YOUR AGENT A COMMISION WHEN YOU GET A JOB. </p>
<p>xxxx, Mary Anna</p>
<p>Thanks MaryAnna, that's exactly what I meant, although I did make it sound like you pay an agent for simply getting an audition.
I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston is SUCH a hard song; WOW!!
I know you all said Rent auditions required nothing from MT, just rock or pop. But I don't consider Rent to be typical MT! I think of it as rock/pop.</p>