<p>showbiz....I answered your question about PCLO August shows on the summer stock audition thread so as to leave this one for Tisch.....</p>
<p>Theatermom...</p>
<p>Part of doing theater is taking risks such as these. It is not like getting naked or stripping at a frat party. It is part of the script of a production. So, as parents, we are totally fine with it and as an actress, my D is as well.</p>
<p>My daughter called us tonight as she walked home from her audition at Hair, too.
She said it was the most fun she has had while at NYU. She had the final audition of the day and said she felt really good about the whole experience. I was really surprised as she is not often talkative about her audition experiences and this one she talked to me about and her father. It's just great when your kids have a special college experience. She said she really didn't mind if she didn't get cast, that the experience was really the best one she has had yet from an audition perspective and not because everything went perfectly; it didn't. Her song went well,something Janis Joplin sang, but she lost her place momentarily on the poem but didn't let it shake her. She, too, like Susan's daughter told us about the questions they asked with regard to shaving head, fear of heights, nudity, etc. She said yes to everything, which blew my mind as she is somewhat modest with regard to the nudity issue. This shows that she is willing to let her guard down, one of the things I know she has been working on at studio. I actually have the feeling it was somewhat of a breakthrough for her, just given her enthusiastic response. </p>
<p>She told me she woud hear by Friday, and like Susan's daughter, she said there are an incredible number of people auditioning and the odds are not in her favor. Once again, she was just glad to have the audition experience. We'll see what happens. I am hopeful that we can go out to see it with her or watch her in it next year.</p>
<p>Hope your daughter hears good news, Susan. </p>
<p>Rossij,</p>
<p>Sorry your daughter wasn't able to audition. Her job sounds like great experience at AG. We have friends in our small town in West Central Illiinois whose daughter was a friend of our oldest daughter and she is the stage manager at the Chicago AG. She graduated from DePaul, I believe and has been working there for at least a year or two. She really enjoys it from what I hear. My 13 year old keeps asking us if she can audition and then would one of us move with her to Chicago if she was cast. Don't think that is going to happen, but I guess you never know.</p>
<p>Your daughter, I'm sure, will audition and be cast in a Mainstage before she knows it. Time really flies for all of these kids</p>
<p>Kris</p>
<p>I've seen Hair both on and off Broadway; done by amateur and professional companies. Any nudity (if it was included) was done in utmost taste. In 2 of these productions, the stage was in shadows; very hazy (cosmic, groovy) and the 'nudists' appeared in a circle--for just a few brief moments. I don't know what the director will do at Tisch but I'm sure that the big 'N' moment will be similarly appropriate to fit the piece.</p>
<p>theatredivasmom,
Haven't talked to my son since the Hair audition. But chuckled when I read your post because my son auditioned 1st. So CC "kids" opened and closed the first day's audition.</p>
<p>Freelance, when I saw both the National Tour and also a professional summer stock production that actually had several BOCO students in the cast, it was also done that way...hazy, cosmic, briefly toward the end of one song. My oldest daughter saw it at Emerson and Brown. I believe it was similar there as well, though every director stages a piece differently.</p>
<p>Thanks for your words of encouragement! As I've said previously, I'm not that crazy about Hair - esp. now with the nude head AND everything else, lol! But I did want her to have the audition experience since she hasn't been able to try out for anything until now. She really is more of a legit singer, anyway; it would have been a stretch for her. And yes, she loves working at AG; the same director and musical director are there from when she performed and they are the NICEST people! Can't wait to hear more about everyone's audition experiences; this is fun! :)</p>
<p>I'm afraid I, too, would have an issue with nudity. I find it disappointing that a university full of young people is asking those actors to do a show with nudity. Fortunately, it's not something my d would even consider. Read fast folks, in case this post is written in disappearing ink.</p>
<p>Razorback,
A general discussion about actors and/or students participating in a college production that may involve nudity is certainly welcome on our forum and in fact, has been a topic in the past. We welcome all views on the issue and one's preferences for themselves or their children. </p>
<p>No need to worry about your post or other posts being edited or deleted unless not following our Terms of Service. Any messages that were edited were in accordance with our policies and were undertaken by the Forum Administrator and the Moderator team. </p>
<p>In post #68, you mention that a university asked those actors to do a show with nudity, but from what I have read in posts by several parent posters on this thread, is that the students had the option on an audition form as to whether they were willing to perform clothed, partially clothed or unclothed. They were not asked to perform nude if they did not wish to. As well, auditioning is also an option.</p>
<p>I think everyone knew what I meant. You can get hung up on a specific word if you choose. But, a University is putting on a show involving kids who could easily be underage and it will involve nudity. I realize that most college kids are over 18, but some kids do graduate early and enter college at 16 or 17. I personally find it appalling that a school of any kind which is training young people would even put on a show that involved nudity. But, again, I'm thankful that my d's morals and values would prevent her from even considering such.</p>
<p>Every participant in NYU productions has to be either a soph, junior, or senior and all are adults and over 18, including my own daughter when this production will be produced. </p>
<p>As a parent, I am completely comfortable with my college student as an adult over age 18 performing in Hair including a nude scene. I realize and appreciate that some parents or students would not be comfortable in doing so and that is their perogative. For some it is not a moral issue but has to do with the art of theater and is not akin to appearing nude in public in other capacities. I realize there are many views on that subject and that each student and each family has to participate in activities in which they feel comfortable. I appreciate that others may feel differently about their decisions for themselves or their children.</p>
<p>Recently, there was a Tisch GAP show of Full Monty, which also includes a very brief nude scene. Shows like Hair are put on at many college campuses, amateur and professional theaters. Tisch has given participants an option. None participating will be underage, to be clear.</p>
<p>Every actor has to decide for herself or himself whether -- or in what circumstances, if any -- he or she will take off his or her clothes. I would imagine that some actors would be OK with doing a hazy group nude scene such as the one in "Hair" but would not be OK getting naked in a steamy love scene in a less-than-fine movie. It's a personal artistic decision for some, and a personal moral decision for others. Vive la difference!
This discussion reminded me of an interview I heard with Diane Keaton when she was appearing in the movie "Something's Gotta Give." Entertainment reporters seemed interested that Keaton -- known for shirts that button up to her chin and for keeping her legs covered in pants! -- was taking off her clothing. This was especially interesting as she was famous for refusing to disrobe during a production of HAIR way back when.
Just thought you guys would find that interesting, if not relevant.</p>
<p>This discussion reminds me of a summer stock production of Chicago that my son was in while still in hs. No nudity involved, but in this case, the choreographer asked if anyone was uncomfortable with smoking a cigarette (my s was the only under 18 y.o. in the production). Fortunately, my s. noted that he would be unwilling to smoke as did a number of other actors, including one who was in the process of quitting. These sorts of choices will and do arise. i welcome the opportunity to discuss such choices with my son (not that he asks my opinion, mind you.) Nudity, fine. Smoking, I have a problem with.</p>
<p>I just caught wind of this discussion. Since I do not have a son or daughter in college facing the question of nudity in a performance - I won't comment on that.</p>
<p>I just thought that it might interest folks to know a bit of history (again, showing my age!). </p>
<p>As most shows do, "Hair" morphed through a few incarnations as is got to Broadway. In none of those incarnations was nudity ever a scripted element. This continued to be the case as it opened on Broadway. As you all know, the performers had considerable freedom to change things up. For example, costumes were not set - they would put costume items in a large pile and cast members would pick out what they wanted to wear for that performance. The nudity was introduced one performance as the cast was singing they refrain of the first act finale, "...peace, freedom, happiness..." - and one cast member decided to disrobe. Then several did the same at that point in the show. Then others, and at various points decided to be naked. This was eventually part of what was expected and became part of what you do when you do "Hair".</p>
<p>I seen several professional productions of the show some with nudity, some fully clothed.</p>
<p>What a crazy coincidence. I just got back from seeing the first major professional revival production of Hair in North America in 30 years. James Rado, co-writer of both the book and lyrics, was involved with this production right from auditions and callbacks. He spent a lot of time here in Toronto during the rehearsal period and previews. </p>
<p>Hair is such a fun show and as poignant and important a piece as it was back in the 60's. This was a terrific young cast, all Canadians, several friends of two of my Ds. To watch this show now, at my age, is probably even more meaningful than it was when I saw it on Broadway when I was in high school. The music is is so wonderful. I can't think of any musical which has produced the number of songs which are so well-known other than Hair: Aquarius, I Believe in Love, Hair, Hare Krishna, Where Do I Go?, Easy to Be Hard, Good Morning Starshine, Let the Sunshine In. It was such a pleasure to sit in that theatre and listen to 48 songs, most of which the audience obviously knew. :)</p>
<p>The nudity issue didn't seem to bother anyone, and this audience was probably 75% older than I am! There was some nudity in the first and last scenes of Act I. It was not gratuitous, it fit well with the staging and the music. It was not offensive. Rather, it was quite beautiful. There were signs posted in the lobby to advise people that there was nudity in the show. I didn't see anyone leave at intermission. The theatre was full and it's running at close to 100% capacity attendance for its three month run so I don't think it's an issue. If any of you happen to be coming to Toronto before June 17, let me know and I'll arrange some tickets for you. </p>
<p>One last thing. If any of you are looking for a great recording of the beautiful music from Hair, I highly recommend the benefit recording that was made last year for the Actors' Fund of America. It's not the entire show but it has 31 tracks, being performed by many favorite current Broadway stars including, Lillias White, Lea DeLaria, Jai Rodriguez, Euan Morton, Ana Gasteyer, Shoshana Bean, Adam Pascal, Laura Benanti, Gavin Creel, Raul Esparza, Charles Busch, John Tartaglia, Christopher Sieber, Annie Golden, Julia Murney, Orfeh, Shayna Steele, Sherie Rene Scott, Billy Porter, Darius DeHaas, Liz Calloway. You won't be disappointed!</p>
<p>Hair callback list to be posted tomorrow 2am.</p>
<p>theatredivasmom,</p>
<p>My d will be attending the Stella Adler studio next fall and will be looking for a voice teacher. Would you or anyone on the discussion have ideas for her?</p>
<p>My daughter is taking singing as an additional course besides her studio hours at Strasberg and her academic classes. She has a voice teacher who she has been very happy with and who is a grad student at the Steinhardt school of music. This teacher has been in many regional Broadway productions and has been extremely helpful to my daughter. I'll see if I can get her name for your daughter. It is an excellent situation as we pay a minimal amount for the lessons for the entire semester and she earns two hours of college credit doing something she was going to do on her own anyway.</p>
<p>Thanks theatredivasmom!</p>
<p>Homestretch,</p>
<p>My daughter is in Adler and takes private lessons outside of NYU. I wrote to her advisor to get recommendations for teachers. We went over the list and she took a sample lesson before she choice the her teacher. The teacher is wonderful and it turns out that a few of her friends are using the same person and all seem to be just as happy.</p>