how young is too young for an open call

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Binder casting is doing an open dance call for A Chorus Line in Cincinnati. They list the cast age as mid-20s to mid-30s in the call. D is not even close to that- still is HS and it is not that she thinks she would be considered for a part. But the question is, would it be in appropriate for her to go to the audition to learn from?
Here is some of my thinking -
She has done 1 other dance call, but that was when there was 1 part for a 13-15 year old. SHe was the only kid at the audition so they made her dance with the adults. She survived and learned quite a bit, eventhough she was not even asked to stay and sing (they eventually switched the call to 10-12).</p>

<p>I figure that in Cincinnati it won't be as crowded as NYC or Chicago... in fact I can't figure out why they are doing it here at all. Maybe proximity to several MT programs.</p>

<p>I blame Binder casting for our current life since it was an open Lion King call that got all this started. They were very kind during the auditions and heard/saw everyone no matter how inappropriate they were for the show.</p>

<p>So what do people think - would it be inappropriate for a almost 16 yer old to attend the audition?</p>

<p>If others are interested the call is on the equity casting. It's not listed as open but it should be since all the other regional calls are.</p>

2

<p>In my opinion, she should not even bother.. Clearly they are not interested in someone so young. And in many cases they do not want to have any involvement with people under 18 period... </p>

<p>Separate -- in my opinion -- is the fact that you are adding another layer of rejection into the process. And why would you want your 16 year old to be cast in a play that is not age-appropriate (except when done by all students)?</p>

3

<p>In my opinion, she should not attend. As much as it may be an 'experience' for any kid to attend an open call, it really is not appropriate, unless she fits the parameters of the call, and of the show itself. A 15 or 16 year old would not be appropriate for A Chorus Line so there is really no point in her attending.</p>

4

<p>I agree that she should not bother going. I realize you are saying it is for the experience, but I think if she wants such an experience, she should attend an open call for a show that has a breakdown of roles for her age range. Bdway's A Chorus Line is not looking for actors under age 18. If a show holds a call near you and there are roles she could conceivably play, or if you are in NYC and ever want her to have the experience of such an audition, go to those. Attending an audition should be when there really is something you are auditioning for. So, if this is a large open call, they may even type her right out as being too young. It is sorta like the Annie Tour open call for orphans....they WILL NOT see any girls over 4'10". If you are age 11 and 5'3", don't bother showing up. I think this is a bit like that. </p>

<p>This call notice for A Chorus Line (though I haven't seen it), is not looking for actors under age 18. Auditions at this level are good experiences, but they should be auditions where the actor could reasonably even be considered or appropriate for the part in the first place. For instance, your D could audition for Spring Awakening, or Inez in Hairspray, and so on, for the experience. Otherwise, keep getting audition experiences in your region at theaters casting shows needing teens. That experience will be great to have under her belt before she auditions for college. The more you audition, the better you get at auditioning. Looking back, I think it was beneficial for my own child that she had auditioned so much growing up that auditioning was not a new experience, as I have seen some other applicants say that it is for them. Even at the highest levels of auditioning (Broadway, Tour, other NYC auditions), she has only tried out for things where she fits the ballpark of the age range for the role. That's the criteria I would suggest.</p>

<p>Moreover, being an Equity call, the chances of being seen might be less too.</p>

5

<p>As a high school student who auditions frequently for shows in NYC, I have to kindly disagree with the previous responses on this thread. I have auditioned for so many things in New York that I never would have been right for and been called back. You really never know. There is actually a book by Michael Shurtleff called "Audition," and many colleges throughout the country require their students to read it as part of an "Acting as a Business" class curriculum. In his novel, Shurtleff (a renowned casting director/agent/career coach/manager) emphasizes that serious actors, no matter the age or size, should attend every possible audition they have the opportunity to fit into their schedule. There are so many instances in which a creative team changes point of view because of an actor that they saw could enhance the project by steering it in a more interesting direction.</p>

<p>Point being... audition for anything and everything you possibly can, because you WILL meet the same people more than once, and they WILL remember you. Trust.</p>

6

<p>Ken,
In general, I agree with the notion of auditioning for everything because of not only the experience, but it is good to be SEEN because if you are not right for THAT part, you might be for some other project the catsing director will do down the line. You don't have to be perfect for a show to try out for it and so it is good to attend as many possible auditions as you can. </p>

<p>However, I think the parameters, given that there are countless auditions available, is to try out for things that are REMOTELY possible. So, I can't think of anything my D has tried out for that is just wildly impossible to ever be cast in. The odds were still tough but she only tried out for things she could conceivably be in the ballpark for. </p>

<p>For instance, right now my D is 18 and I would say she doesn't pass for any older than 21 or so. Yeah, she could try out for roles for those in their 20's (which might be slim chances but conceivable) but she surely would not bother with trying out for roles calling for parts that need to play 30 (I'll clarify that I am talking adult productions, not youth/school productions in which she has played adults of all ages, even a 108 year old in Barnum, LOL). So, I do agree with you up to a point. For instance, last summer, a well known Broadway director sent an email to my D (has seen her perform before) asking her to come audition for a show he was directing at a well known regional theater. She made it all the way to final callbacks. However, we felt the odds were still very slim that she would be cast (though it was great to be seen) because the other people being cast were in their 20s or some even might have been over 30, and most had Broadway credits and/or degrees or other major credits and she was still 17. It just seemed unlikely that her look/age would fit in with that cast. It was worth going and she was asked to and obviously got to the final callback but truly I can't see her being cast at that level with adults who were clearly quite a bit older and more accomplished. </p>

<p>So, while I agree that one should try for lots of auditions and experiences, and ya never know what can happen and it is very good to be seen by these casting folks, I would only suggest going to auditions that are remotely in the ballpark. For instance, my D looks the age and is the age of actors in Spring Awakening (but chose not to audition) and that is one she could have tried for, but she would not try for A Chorus Line if she were in high school as it seems not at all remotely possible for a high school kid to be cast in that Broadway show. And as someone who has representation, I can tell you her agent would not have sent her to A Chorus Line call on Broadway at age 15-16, but only to shows with breakdowns somewhere in the ballpark of her age. I guess anyone can show up at an open call but I would use the same criteria an agent would use.</p>

<p>By the way, I own Shurtleff's book and it is very good.</p>

<p>Also, I forgot to mention that I totally agree with your point that a casting director might change the original casting vision part way through casting a show. For instance, when my D was younger, she was in callbacks for a child character in the yet to be performed Bdway musical, Jane Eyre. After the callbacks, the casting director let go of all the final kids and started completely over and wanted SMALLER girls. But the difference with that (and with your point...with which I agree) is that was the FIRST casting of the Broadway production when the vision for each part was being revised as it progressed. But with A Chorus Line on Broadway, the vision for each role is now set as it is an ongoing production and this is for replacements. I don't think there would be radical redoing of the concept of each role/casting...such as going with a 15/16 year old when it is not currently cast with anyone nearly that young. I could surely be wrong though!</p>

7

<p>I understand and appreciate everyone's opnion here. It is clear we are not looking to get her cast and if the audition was not lirteraly 5 minutes (10 if walking) away form where she is we wouldn't consider. Nor would we consider it if it was a vocal first dance second. But dance auditions are significantly different beasts from vocal and they are not very easy to get experience with at a high level in community theatre. D has been cast several times in the last two years as an adult dancer where. But what she learned when did do the previous open audition is that for dance you have to learn fast and be precise and show the flare the choreographer is looking for. No amount of local auditions for dance will require this kind of speed learning and precision.</p>

<p>We typically do not have her audition for anything that she is not within the age range for or that she has conflicts for, we try to respect everyone's time. She has done and been called back for Inez in Hairspray but that has a 5'1" height limit which by the second call back she was over and recently they have been putting small adults in the part anyway. D has been 5'7" for over a year now so there are no kids parts left for her.</p>

<p>It is unlikely she will go however the real allure was the pratice at a dance calls not just audition practice. But maybe we will head down to see who else is there.</p>

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<p>Keepingcalm, I do agree that the experience of such auditions are great experiences to have. If she wants to experience an Equity dance call and she is allowed into it, there is no harm in doing so. As a general rule of thumb, I am more into going to auditions that are in the ballpark. However, I totally understand what you are saying about experiencing what that level of dance call is like. And yes, having a kid who has done various NY auditions, she has seen what it is like in dance and vocal auditions and the experience itself has been worthwhile. I guess she only tried for things within reason but you may not have such an option and if ACL lets your child try the dance call, she could get the experience. Otherwise, picking and choosing which auditions to go for, I think, should be along the lines of what an agent might have sent you in for. Enjoy if she goes.</p>

9

<p>Keeping calm: Here are my 2 cents.
On one hand, if you live THAT close to the audition, what the heck? Might as well go. YOU NEVER KNOW. My d auditioned for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang a couple of years ago for a 10-11 year old part (she was 17? at the time, but is very petite and looks young). While she was NOT chosen for the part, she got a call about 6 months later to audition for Spring Awakening; the casting director kept her resume/headshot on file and remembered her. Now, if she hadn't gone to CCBB, she would NEVER have gotten to audition for Spring Awakening; it was NOT an open call at that point. She got a callback, but not
the part. I know recently they DID have an open call with about 1200 attending in NYC and MANY were typed out. They also had auditions in 3 other cities. She was lucky to have been able to audition the first round and again, ONLY because a casting director remembered her from an audition that she was too old for; just went basically for the "experience".
ON THE OTHER HAND, rejection is tough. Your d might very well be typed out.
If she's 5'7, maybe not, but if she looks any younger than say, 21, I'd say they'd type her out. My d went to audition for Evita; the part she was going for said "petite, late teens-early 20's, soprano" and she was TYPED OUT! She's about as petite, as late teens (19), and as soprano as you can get. So it's frustrating.
Bottom line; it's up to you and your d. Just let her know not to be discouraged if typing occurs, which it very well may!</p>

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<p>If your daughter is a confident and strong enough dancer then I say by ALL MEANS GO. She will not only learn from the experience, but it's also another opportunity for her to not only get her face and body (technique) seen, but to SHOW HER STUFF. And speaking personally as a young dancer and musical theatre performer who does professional work let me be the first to say no matter what the audition is (Muscial Theatre, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Tap, House, etc....) I GO!</p>

<p>And here's something else! Last August I went to an open call for a show and was called back and called back and called back (lol) but didn't get the job. I was a little sad I didn't get it but I quickly brushed it off. Anyway about a month later the same company called me and told me they remembered me from that audition, thought I was great and offered me a job in another show they were producing. And I started rehearsal a week later!</p>

<p>So you never know :^)</p>

11

<p>soozievt... i respect your response and opinion... however... one of my friend's from my school in NY, Paul McGill, is currently playing Mark in A Chorus Line on Broadway and was cast in the role during his senior year of High School. He was also cast as a Cagelle in La Cage aux Folles on Broadway at the beginning of his junior year... he never imagined in his wildest dreams he'd get in... he just went "for the free dance class." </p>

<p>so specifically for A Chorus Line... There is an exact point I was making. Paul is in the Broadway company and was cast while he was in high school.</p>

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<p>Ken....well, there you go! You just never know then! The casting notice for ACL is for mid twenties to mid thirties and I guess I never would have thought to take a 15 year old to that (for Broadway, not talking for something more regional). Thanks for showing an exception to this line of thinking!! Was Paul over 18 when he was cast in ACL on Bdway....or turning 18 by the time he was to perform? (which by the way is a fantastic accomplishment!) I don't think this show wants anyone under 18 which means a lot of extras like tutoring, etc. For instance, even the replacement call for Spelling Bee is asking for 18 and over, and THAT particular show's roles are meant to be kids. I just did not think ACL would accept anyone under 18 or particularly only 15/16 no matter how terrifically talented given the extras they must provide for a minor. I don't think my D's agent would have sent her in at age 15 for a casting notice asking for mid 20's to mid 30's. However, for an OPEN call, anyone can give it a try if they let you in. I could see an 18 year old trying out for Bdway's ACL. The question here has to do with a 15 year old. Congratulations to your friend and also thank you for sharing such a story!</p>

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<p>I have heard of a 15 year old getting called back for Connie for the broadway revival of a Chorus Line.</p>

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<p>keepingcalm -- Is your D tall? Or does she look older than she is? Soozie is right on one thing, it would be silly to send in a 15 year old who looks 15 for a 20-30 year old call, in her daughter's case. But if your D is tall and looks older, or is very small (for connie) she could be considered, you never know. When I was 15, I often got called/did castings for older roles because I was tall and looked older and CDs were fine with it, so it really depends on her own personal look.</p>

15

<p>Sporti, I agree that looks, rather than age, matter. Stage age is the key. However, I'm assuming (but correct me if I am wrong) that the examples you give of being cast for roles 18-21 when you were 15 were here in Vermont, not Broadway. There's a difference in this regard. For instance, here in Vermont, when my D had just turned 16, she played a role where the other actresses who were to be the same stage age as her...were way older than her. In fact, she joked about it because one of the women had played Gypsy when she was Baby June and Lily St. Regis when she was Molly in Annie (this person is ten years older than my D) and another woman playing the same age alongside her in this show had a lead in a college production that my child was in at age 10 (making her also at least 10 years older than D) and then all of a sudden they were supposed to be the same age in this production that my D was in at age 16 (granted she was no longer a child!). However, with a Broadway show, they often go with actors over 18 to portray older teen or young adult roles due to the various aspects of the contract such as tutoring and so forth. In fact, in some ways, a person (unless very small who plays much younger) who is ages 14-17 sometimes can be in "no man's land" with regard to casting for Broadway shows. There are not a lot of roles on Broadway for that age (unless a show like Spring Awakening) and when there is a show that calls for a 16 year old character, they often go with someone 18 and over and not have to deal with the requirements of hiring someone who is underage. So, I totally agree with you about looks and stage age in general but when it comes to casting teens on Broadway, often they take someone over 18 for reasons that a show in Vermont doesn't need to consider. Having had a child who auditioned in her youth at times in NYC via agent submissions, this is what I observed for kids ages 14-17 unless small or very young looking. Difficult age to be cast on Broadway.</p>

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<p>Soozie, while I appreciate you trying to clarify, I don't think you know all of my performing/auditioning/theatre experience ;-) My stage age, at 15, was considered 17-20/21 depending on the character.</p>

<p>In smaller/local situations, REAL/stage age can be less of a factor. In professional situations, "stage age" is important. Though, absolutely, Union companies do need to take tutors and everything else that comes with employing a minor into account.</p>

17

<p>Sporti, I surely don't know your performance experience and didn't mean to say that I do. I meant, as a fellow Vermonter, that casting issues in productions here is not the same as a Union show on Broadway or tour where a 15 year old, which is what we are discussing, when cast, will have to have other things taken into account such as the tutoring and so forth. I totally agree with you about the stage age being the thing, not the chronological age. Casting people go by stage age, not your real age. My point was only that for Broadway shows, when they are casting roles with a stage age of 14-17, they often (but not always) seek actors 18+ which is easier for them to employ. And that is why, in my observation with auditioning for Broadway/tours, that a real age of 14-17 can be a "no man's land"....too old or too big to play the kid roles and then they cast 18+ to play the teen roles, often, but not always. So, while at 15, your stage age was 17-21 (which I can see, having met you), that would work in more regional productions, but on Broadway, usually (not always) they would not cast a 15 year old to play 21 because they can get an 18+ to play the part and eliminate all that comes with employing a minor. On tours, it means tutors and chaperones, etc. I was pointing out the difference when saying "audition for everything" when looking at these different casting markets. I don't know where you have auditioned and I am sorry if you thought I was saying I knew that, but was contrasting casting circumstances in this region vs. union productions on Broadway, in GENERAL. I was speaking to the topic, not your experience, which as you say, I am not aware of beyond this area. :)</p>

18

<p>soozie... he was over 18 by the time he started in ACL... but for La Cage, he was only 16... crazy, right?!</p>

<p>i wish! haha... take care.</p>

19

<p>Ken, your friend's story is a fabulous achievement! I was thinking for ACL that he might have been 18 by the time he started the show, which is the show I was referring to only. But one CAN be under 18 and be cast on Broadway, that's for sure! I really think ACL is going to want 18+ but could be wrong.</p>

20

<p>16 in La Cage!! WOW!</p>

<p>That's how I feel about some of the people in Spring Awakening -- what an AMAZING opportunity!</p>