<p>Has anyone gone to the open casting call for the movie Hairspray? I guess they have already been held in Atlanta and NYC. Just wondered what the experience was like? Hundreds of girls wanting to be Tracey? I guess you just sing 8 bars of "Good Morning Baltimore" and then callbacks are the next day. Has anybody experienced this or something like it? We have never attempted anything like this...</p>
<p>I took my daughter (16 at the time) to an open casting call for Hairspray in Chicago 18 months ago. (I thought it would be an eye-opening experience and it was!) There were at least 1000 people present, crammed into a performing arts high school in downtown Chicago. We arrived and stood around for about five hours, meeting lots of interesting people. We were at least 3 hours away from being called in to sing when we had to give up because she had another rehearsal that evening. It was crazy but a great experience nonetheless. I'm not sure if the casting call this year is similar in set-up.</p>
<p>Yep - we did it yesterday in NYC. There were at least 350 people probably 300 of whom thought they were Tracey(the call was also for Seaweed and Little Inez- very few of both showed up). I think there would have been more if they hadnt been predicting a blizzard. </p>
<p>We waited for 2 hours(outside in the cold) then they began bringing groups upstairs into the studio. Groups of 25 were called into another room. You sang eight bars and then they told anyone they wanted to see further for a callback today. My D WAS in the third group of 25 originally, but then we had to leave for her to do her summer CAP21 audition (we had been there almost 3.5 hours at this point). We left and came back and started again. This time it only took 2 hours. She did not get a call back - which was a blessing considering we had no hotel room and the blizzard they had in NYC today would not have made it fun.</p>
<p>Based on who I saw who did get callbacks, they are looking for someone who is much younger (no mature 16y.o. like mine). It was quite an experience as we had never done an open call before! </p>
<p>Good luck if you go and bring something to read!
Mikks Mom</p>
<p>Thanks so much for sharing your experience! We just might give it a shot! Another question...and hopefully I can ask this tactfully! The website of course describes Tracey as an overweight teenager with a great spirit and smile. So were the girls that got a callback "curvy"??? My D wonders if her size would be right!</p>
<p>There were girls of MANY sizes but the ones who were getting callbacks were definitely plus sized girls!!!! (Although not what I would consider to be morbidly obese- just not your typical size 4's!) My D also said she thought they were also looking at shorter girls (she's all of 5'2"). </p>
<p>Go for it - it is an experience I am glad we had!</p>
<p>my guess is the fact that they are going to make this a main stream movie they are looking for hollywood plus sized girls!! which is like a 4! lol...jk. But I think you guys know what I mean, when an actress is a size 2, she's "putting on some weight"! lol</p>
<p>John Travolta has been cast in the role of Edna Turnbald and Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle!</p>
<p>Here's a link to the full story:</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about the lucky girl chosen to be Tracey? My d auditioned in Chicago...no callback but a great learning experience. She learned what a large casting call is like and that there isn't anything glamorous about auditioning for a movie. She has had tougher auditions here at home!</p>
<p>Hi MTHeaded!</p>
<p>Glad to hear your D auditioned for Tracey as well. According to all I have read, it has not been cast yet but who know where they may be in the process. </p>
<p>What type were they giving callbacks to in Chicago? In NYC, it was short and VERY young looking girls (my D is short but she looks much older than her age). </p>
<p>I thought the entire experience was worth it as well! Welcome to cattle calls we were told! </p>
<p>:) Mikks Mom</p>
<p>My D is also too tall and too thin, which is funny because she is 5'4" and curvy. But not curvy enough in the wrong places! She is mature looking in more ways than one! It looked like they were interested in shorter and rounder but we didn't see too many getting callbacks because we were there later in the day.</p>
<p>Still no Tracy as of this past Friday. The last of the open calls took place yesterday in Toronto, with hundreds of girls auditioning. A friend who was working the auditions said that they saw a few who were excellent, so fingers crossed that they may have actually found the actress they want. The movie is to be filmed here so they're hoping that the karma will work for them to find the perfect Tracy at their only Canadian audition. The top picks from Saturdays girls will return for callbacks today. After that, it will be a review of clips of the few they're considering prior to having a final callback. They're also still looking for a Link and a Li'l Inez.</p>
<p>As to the size issue, Neil Meron who is one of the producers, gave an interview to Canadian press and said the actor chosen 'has to be a large girl because...Tracy is overweight. Not just overweight, but fat, and no apologies. That's why she's such a trailblazer.'</p>
<p>A student where I teach was called back several times in LA. Out of the girls that auditioned from my school she was the only one called back. At her last call back she had an interview which she felt was a way for the producers, etc. to get to know more about her personality. It has been a great experience for her.</p>
<p>I auditioned in Toronto and I got a call back which I went to today. Now what happens? I have never had an audition for a movie before and I am not sure what happens after the call back. Can anyone give me some info?</p>
<p>Sorry I can't answer your question...but I wanted to say congrats on the call back! Wow, you must be excited!</p>
<p>Thank you so much, and yes I am excited. But I don't know what happens now. I may never hear anything. It was a great experience though, and I would be thrilled if they called me back again, that would be amazing.</p>
<p>Zoey-
Thats so exciting that you got a callback. But now, it's all up to them. If they wish to see more of you, they certainly will call you.</p>
<p>I never went to an open call audition for Hairspray. I sent in a headshot and resume in Feb. Since then, I've gotten several calls from their casting director and been emailed songs/scenes which they then asked me to tape and mail. Apparently the role has not been cast yet and I have not heard in 2 weeks so I'm possibly out of the running. I have dark hair, a very belty voice, and am heavier especially on screen. However, I don't think I'm particularily young looking. Good luck to all of you who are serious about pursuing this role!</p>
<p>Zoey, congratulations on your callback. As difficult as it is, all you can do now is wait! The calls should come fairly soon, as filming is scheduled to begin in September.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement. This is very exciting, but I certainly don't want to get my hopes up too high, so many girls have auditioned and we all have the same chances of getting this part. Working with John Travolta and Queen Latifa would be such a thrill, I know all of us who got call backs would love to have this once in a life time opportunity. I am just going to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.</p>
<p>MaryAnna has a student who has been seen THREE times by the L.A. casting office. The most recent call back was Friday. She has been working with her on this and she has a real shot at this point.</p>
<p>Sissy
Wow, that is wonderful. It seems like LA is the place to be when an open call comes. I am hoping Toronto is just as lucky.</p>