Issues with musical theatre programs that won't cast students with an atypical body type?

My daughter is currently attending the two year musical theatre program at Casper College in Wyoming,(Great program, wonderful faculty & facilities. It’s not CMU, Michigan or NYU. However, they don’t market themselves as such. My daughter is O.K. with that & is extremely happy with the program.)
To get back on track, upon graduation my daughter plans on transferring to a musical theatre program at a four year college/university for her Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theatre. My daughter is six feet tall & her weight is roughly proportional to her height,(she could probably afford to lose 20 lbs.) My wife & I have had angoing dialogue about which four year MT Programs my daughter should consider applying to for transfer. One school we mentioned he had discouraged because he felt that our daughter wouldn’t get cast in productions there because of her atypical body type,(based on an experience with a previous student that had a similar body type to my daughter that he had transfer to said institution & wasn’t cast in any of that schools productions.)

Have any of your kids felt discriminated against regarding casting decisions at the program they are attending. Are there any programs that you feel are good at being accepting of all body types & any schools that you folks would recommend avoiding?

@SMKMsDad Welcome to the board! I’m glad your D is in a school that she’s happy with. Unfortunately, I can’t answer any of your questions, however, I would suggest looking at school videos of productions and perhaps the past graduating MT classes that may help to see how diversified the school is. (Not saying doing this is definitive, but it may help weed some schools in or out, or perhaps give you a ‘feel’.)

Also, if she’s looking to transfer into a four-year BFA MT program, make sure to ask them if her MT credits will transfer and if she’ll be allowed to graduate from that program in only two years. Many BFA programs require transfers to start as freshmen or sophomores, even if they’ve completed years in another program. So check with each individual program you apply to about that.

I think that diversity in terms of race and ethnicity is a big factor in admissions in the last several years. Now, as to whether that push for diversity applies to body type, I am not so sure. It could work in her favor as another factor of diversity, it could work against her because I do think it is still true that body type diversity isn’t making its way into show casting as much, yet. Her height just might work against her in terms of casting overall…matching up with partners, or being a head taller than the rest of the ensemble…

I don’t know that any of this helps you with school selection, in general, I think that anyone applying to MT programs needs to apply to a wide range of schools with varying selectivity. They are ALL hard to get into. And I think that “feeling discriminated against” is almost ubiquitous in theater, whether for school admission or show casting, because it is so subjective.

Actorparent1: We are aware that MT credits from Casper College may not transfer across the board & hopeful that she can transfer to a school that accepts her into their program at least as a Sophomore.

Agree with above. I think it’s most important if she knows her type and markets herself accordingly. If she is tall, experienced dancer, there’s a type needed for that. I’ve also read where extremely tall females have more luck in marketing themselves as a goofy, comedic type because they likely won’t be cast as lead ingenues. This should be kept in mind when choosing audition monologues and songs. The auditors are thinking about potential roles for a student and expect you to know your type. I would focus more on her strengths (actor/singer/dancer?) and try to choose schools that value her strengths. She may also want to consider a BFA Acting which opens up more opportunities, but may not limit her training for both plays/musicals once in a program.

Generally, all casting is discriminatory. The Director usually has an image in his/her mind of the character. Professionally, people are not even allowed to audition if they don’t have “a look” they seek. They line people up and then excuse people immediately based on a glance. Sometimes you are too short or too skinny.

Having a 5 foot tall daughter in college for MT, I can tell you that she loses roles all the time to six foot tall girls. I would not worry about it. Just do your thing.

My D has a unique look and is in a PVA high school where they bring in guest directors. She’s often passed over for roles because they are casting for type, often for kids who look the part even if they aren’t as good a singer or actor (it’s an acting program and some of them hardly sing at all). She did a show last night where she finally had a part with a couple of solos. One of the parents of another senior told me she had no idea my D had such a beautiful and powerful voice - had to hold back from saying that was because she’s never gotten the chance to show it.

Anyway, she knows her lot and no longer is frustrated by casting decisions. When the part is right for her, she’ll get her chance to shine.

Its just part of the business. Body type makes a difference. My S is 6’3" so: (1) he will never be a Newsie; and, (2} if he is considered for a role that is part of a couple and the partner has already been cast and is 5’1", he is probably not going to get the part.

Truth @MTDadandProud! My S is 6’ if he’s auditioning for a lead; 5’10" if it’s a feature/ensemble :))

@MTDadandProud - Agree! My son is just past 6’. He is a dancer, and he was a Newsie in a regional production. At 17, he was the youngest AND the tallest of the Newsies!

My D is currently in Syracuse. They talk a LOT about being unique, different, market themselves… The discussion about not being cookie cutter, come often – even the name of choosing a stage name that will help you with marketing yourself one way or another.
They also talk a lot about what the goal is: It is true that someone might not get cast in a school mainstage play for not fitting with that particular performance need, however the goal is to train to become a great performer.
Some students never get cast in a college play however they are extremely successful in their careers…