<p>My D is 5' and actually wrote a very funny college essay about being short in the world of musical theater. She would look at you taller girls with jealousy! True, she can always wear her 3 inch character shoes and no one really realizes her true height, and on stage she always appears much taller because she has a good stage presence, but she dreams of being a tall, leggy blonde in a Susan Stroman show. I guess the "grass is always greener".</p>
<p>One student whom I have advised wrote his essay as an entire play on the fact that he is short. He now attends a top college and is in theater. All types are needed in this field.....</p>
<p>I am nearly 6 feet tall and a bit on the chubby side. In the beginning years of high school, I fell down a path of questioning what I looked like and hating myself for it. I dreamed of being the romantic leading lady with her stunning prince charming. I hunched over, ashamed of my height, and I started into the beginning stages of bulimia. It was a horrible, tragic time in my life. I had no control or will to take control. I had lots of bad things going on with myself, my family, and my friends and it felt like someone had turned the lights out and I was just in the dark searching for someone to help me. Finally, after about a year and a half, my friends found out what was going on. They took it into their hands to make sure I was safe. My life did a complete 180. I now realize that being a bigger girl opens me up to the awesome (often times more interesting) character roles, I found my inner-belter and now strive to be more of a Patti/Angela/Ethel than a Sutton/Kristin, if you know what I mean. As soon as this transformation happened, you know what started happening? I GOT ROLES at my competitive performing arts high school. I felt a thousand times more confident walking into auditions knowing they needed someone like me some brassy, belty big girl who can hold her own. I even got leads! Golde in Fiddler, Kate in Working. I am proud of myself for these accomplishments. </p>
<p>The truth is that we have chosen the only industry that is allowed to NOT hire somebody because of what they look like. So instead of trying to look like every other 6 foot, blond hair, blue eyed, leggy dancer chick, I am going to play the funny fat girl, the mom, the grandma, the best friend, the confidant, the older sister, and you know what, I do those better than anyone I know.</p>
<p>I guess the end of the story is, be happy with who you are because no matter who you are, as long as you look for it you can find your niche in this crazy theater world.</p>
<p>One of my D's drama teachers said that one of the toughest things a performer can do is to realisticaly assess his or her type. This particular woman is on the shorter side and is fuller figured and always longed to be the ingenue/princess/Sandy in Grease type, when she was really not that type at all. She related that she couldn't understand why she wasn't getting cast. Then she had a revelation and began auditioning for roles in her type and -- viola!! -- she began to get cast. And you know what else, Liz? I have heard over and over that girls who are the ingenues quickly get very sick of those roles and want something with more meat. I believe Kelli O'Hara talked about that in an interview.</p>
<p>I love your post LizMT. For my D, she has been the youthful looking petitie girl and because of that been cast as children is HS productions. It has worked though because she has embraced those roles (Dorothy in Wizard of OZ, and JoJo in Seussical). Finally this year, she has an adult part-Eponine in Les Mis. There is a place for all types. Glad you found your niche!</p>
<p>Liz, you are amazing! While its terrible what you went through earlier in school, you have come through with flying colors and have given all of us a wonderful and encouraging lesson. I suspect your great attitude will help you in all fazes of life, after all we are what we are.</p>
<p>My D is 5'7" and acting, not MT but she has one acceptance. And I agree that they want different types. My D auditioned right after a girl that had a really similar look to her (long dark hair, dark eyes, thin, even same complexion). She said that was not a great thing to follow a look alike in an audition but no control over it! Hang in there, love yourself for who you are.Appreciate being tall , clothes just look better for a long time! I have always wished for 2 more inches in height (5'5"!)</p>
<p>I've been height-obsessed ever since I had to give up competitive gymnastics when I hit a growth spurt at 13. :( What I've been told is that the "golden zone" for actresses is 5'7" to 5'9" although it could well be somewhat different for MTers. At any rate, here are some recent Tony nominees along with some other top notch stage and film actresses ... </p>
<p>Eve Best - 5'10"
Christine Ebersol - 5'10"
Lynn Redgrave - 5'10"
Sutton Foster - 5'9.75"
Gwyneth Paltrow - 5'9.5
Vanessa Redgrave - 5'9"
Annette Bening - 5'8.5"
Cate Blanchett - 5'8.5"
Xanthe Elbrick - 5'8.5"
Mary Louise Parker - 5'8"
Angela Lansbury - 5'8"
Julie White - 5'8"
Audra McDonald - 5'8"
Donna Murphy - 5'8"
Debra Messing - 5'7.5"
Jennifer Ehle - 5'7"
Meryl Streep - 5'7"
Laura Linney - 5'7"</p>
<p>I'm happy to fall into that range. :) Of course, this shouldn't be construed as any kind of rule. Some of the BFA degreed screen actors whose work I always make it a point to see - Julianne Moore, Parker Posey and Rachel McAdams - are 5'4" or under. Helen Mirren is also 5'4" and the ever brilliant Judy Dench is an imposing 5'1". :)</p>
<p>Oh, I love Parker Posey! Everyone here should see her in all the Christopher Guest movies, especially Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show and in the creepy but wonderful House of Yes. The woman is a genius.
My D always jokes that she wishes she could do the "Billy, it's Susan" monologue from Waiting for Guffman for college acting auditions, or "Teacher's Pet" from Guffman for MT auditions. Apparently, this is not a joke to some people, as the "Billy" monologue is on the site "overdone monologues." Scary, huh?</p>
<p>Yay, thanks for another fun post "fish"! Although I am a bit of a giraffe :D, my D somehow stopped growing once she "hit" 5'5 in 7th grade; her height does come in handy when she has to be partnered and/or lifted for choreography. She has come to terms with being cast as "ingenue" (Winnie Tate, Zaneeta anyone :)), even if deep down inside she secretely prefers roles with a bit 'more meat'. Ahhhhh...</p>
<p>The most attractive feature you can have is confidence. It is what attracts us to others more than anything else. Liz you have developed it well and I'm sure it will carry you far. Your insight at your age is amazing. Your message a real inspiration. I wish you many character roles in your future that steal the show. :)</p>
<p>Kate Shindle-"Legally Blonde"-not blonde but very tall</p>