<p>My D is 5'9" and in heels is close to 6 feet tall. At one college audition she was complemented on "owning" her height and that they thought it was a good thing she didn't try to hide her height. On the other hand, for her last high school musical it came down to her and her best friend for one of the two female leads and her friend got it, and I believe part of that is because my D may have been perceived as too tall for the role (she would have been the same height or taller than the male lead she would have played against). Plus at one college audition they were pretty up front that they look to augment their current group of students with the incoming class, so they specifically try to bring in kids with different looks, etc. So of course like any shameless MT parent I spent the audition day looking at the other auditionees and current students to see how many tall girls they had (still can't believe I was doing that...) </p>
<p>I'm wondering if the veterans out there have any thoughts on this height issue. I'm told by some that her height will be an asset, but so far I don't know that I've seen that. When does it come into play?</p>
<p>I can’t answer the question, but it’s a huge thing that she was complimented on “owning” her height. I imagine that one remark will keep your daughter’s confidence level up, so it’ll be self-reinforcing.</p>
<p>I know a VERY serious stagemom who hauls her daughter from audition to audition with 3 pairs of shoes in her bag. Flats. Character shoes. And heels. Whatever height they are looking for is the height her child is going to be. So far it’s working.</p>
<p>Your daughter will be too tall for things, but you already know that. Mine is 5’2" she she’s to small to be a serious chorus girl. They all just have to find their place and their are plenty of examples of successful MT’s of all heights. Hang in there!</p>
<p>My daughter was 5’3" until she turned 16. Over that summer, she shot up to 5’8". I remember how excited she was. All she could think about is - now I can be a Rockette! She loves to flaunt her height and is constantly in heels. When I asked her if it bothered her that she could be too tall for certain roles because of the guy, she responded then it must not be the right role for me. </p>
<p>Flossy - you are definately right, they find the right fit for them!</p>
<p>Height will be an issue in certain casting situations but, you know what, there’s nothing you can do to change it so it isn’t worth stressing about. Tall girls are going to have challenges, just as short boys will.</p>
<p>Two words: Sutton Foster. She’s 5’9", wears heels, and has NO problems getting great roles.</p>
<p>And, for those of us with the opposite problem (my D is 5’2" on a good day): Kristin Chenoweth. She is 4’11". </p>
<p>Bottom line: if your kid has the talent, they will get cast, regardless of their height. Of course there are places where it DOES come into play (Disney princesses have to be a certain height, and our short girls will never be in the ensemble of, say, “Catch Me if You Can”). But I have seen several shows over the past year or so where ensemble members were all shapes, sizes and heights. “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” and “Ghost” both come to mind. Also, “Godspell”…some of those girls were short, others were tall. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t sweat it. I think schools are looking for talent, period.</p>
<p>I was going to say Sutton Foster too monkey13 . . . maybe because my daughter is really tall (almost 5’10"), but this is something we’ve thought and talked about. </p>
<p>Funny, but as a veteran teacher I’ve seen kids just keep getting taller each year . . . people in general are taller than they used to be. I’m not naive, I know there are things my D will be excluded from because of her height, but I also think there are roles she will get because of her stature . . . and she DOES own it. (She loves being tall and wears heels all the time.) I don’t think it’s as bad as you think it will be Jeff. For example, my D is the tallest girl in her BFA freshmen class (Otterbein), but the majority of the boys are taller than she. One is much taller. There are also lots of other really tall boys in the entire program at Otterbein. To me, it’s just part of my girl’s type.</p>
<p>Something to think about . . . they had to find tall men to play opposite Sutton, so it might have a trickle-down effect.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, though, that Sutton and Kristin would not have been cast in each other’s roles. </p>
<p>As I said, you can’t change your height, so be confident in who you are and if you’re right for a role, you’ll have a chance. Height, like type, will be an issue in professional auditions but it’s unlikely to cause you a problem in college admissions.</p>
<p>I’m 5’ tall. Although it has certainly hindered me sometimes, it has also worked to my advantage. It just depends what role you’re auditioning for and if you’re confident enough to own your height. As far as college auditions go, they’re looking for someone who is comfortable with themselves regardless of their height and appearance. And above all that, they’re looking for talent, which comes in all shapes and sizes.</p>
<p>Exactly! My D is 4’11" and her best male theatre friend her age who logically would be her co-lead in things is 6’2", and they just don’t look right together as a couple. Father and daughter, brother and sister – maybe.</p>
<p>Phffttt… Lol, my D has NEVER played opposite a boy that could sing/act! I’d love to see what that looks like! Last boy she had a role opposite (Hairspray) was gay and black and couldn’t be straight to save his life! Couldn’t sing either. He could dance… Our black kids were all white with a Latina girl thrown in. It was a little weird.</p>
<p>Sounds like a school that should not have chosen “Hairspray.” I know it’s a big deal to be able to say “We do not precast,” but you do have to know you have someone who can credibly play the roles. My son’s drama teacher chose “Grease” this year, which is doubly unfortunate because the high school that’s only a mile away is doing the same show in the same month, and also, he has no male singers who can do a rock-and-roll falsetto.</p>
<p>My son’s school did Grease last year…I was pretty impressed with the creative casting but it really turned out ok. This year, they are doing Little Shop of Horrors and they blew me away.</p>
<p>It wasn’t a school musical. We just have no ethnicity where we live. It turned out fine for the most part but we only had three African Americans of the whole show. The only AA guy that could play Seaweed though was really really gay ( not that there is anything wrong with that) but he couldn’t ACT straight. Just a little weird.</p>
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