About DD not getting a part - again

Depends on the stage school I think....

Our daughters went to a different schools - one was very much a hobby, the other was almost like a commercial production company - going the Fringe etc to put shows on - the latter was definitely just a meritocracy

This was me throughout my whole childhood and adolescence. It lit a fire in my belly though, and I’m now a full time pro performer running my own touring show. I’d seek some extra tuition/coaching for DD1 to check that her technique is up to scratch…and as others have suggested, ask the existing stage school head for some constructive feedback.

There’s no way I’d have been as motivated to succeed if I hadn’t had all those hard knocks.

Just drop a message
"Hey notice that Dd wasn't chosen for a part in the show. So will be looking for a different class for her as she is obviously not gaining the skills needed to preform at this class. "

Bet they start backtracking

You're paying for a service from this company. I'd be kicking up a fuss and demanding my daughter be given a part. Couldn't care less if I looked like 'that' parent or if the person running the group thought badly of me for doing so.

If there's a big chance that could happen have your partner or grandparents or someone less involved speak to them instead.

This! After the 2nd show with no part I would have been speaking to the woman! This isn't the West End! I bet the other parents with kids in the shows have a high share of voice with her. It's always like this, the gobbiest parents obtain what they want for their kids because it's not worth the hassle for whoever is organising!
They won't give her the star part if she's not great, but they will definitely give her a part of some sort!
Definitely complain!

Yes because I love your approach. You didn’t come into this with a wtf attitude and get all agro - which never works anyway. You are simply asking what your daughter can do to improve and get a part next time,

The constructive criticism may be really useful and otherwise it might make them think about including your daughter next time.

Absolutely say something. This is a paid for extra curricular activity so it's not as if you're harassing a stressed teacher about a school show. As an organisation whose only focus is this, they should have a system to properly manage access to parts.

My DC attend a weekend theatre school which I assume is similar to what you are talking about. They are money-making businesses more than training grounds for future performers. As such it's only fair that everyone who wants to should have a chance to perform. One of my DC had a large part in a show so the following year they, quite fairly, gave her only a small role so that others could have a turn. It's the parents who are expected to buy tickets to these shows.

Stage school is super competitive - in ours you have kids who audition for massive roles on TV/Film etc so we dont do the 'rotation' of roles etc however, everyone gets a role (big or small) - however, it was never sold to us as a fun sunday hobby sort of thing. I would speak to the teacher and ask how she can improve. Good luck OP.

You mean the drama teacher was swearing at children in the group???
That is completely unacceptable, a school teacher would be in big trouble for that. Did anyone complain?
Do you want your children to be in a group led by someone like that?

I agree with this. You don't need to go in all guns blazing -asking for some advice for future auditions is fine.

You are absolutely entitled to ask for feedback . I am surprised they are not giving it to you regularly anyway.

I didn’t think you have to ask in a confrontational way. It is just isn’t unreasonable to ask what your child needs to improve on to get the good parts.

In stage school you'd think by default they do have to give everyone at least a small part in some of the productions? How else can they learn how to perform in front of an audience?
Presuming they didn't sign up because they want to be a set designer, stage manager or wardrobe assistant? Not that there's anything wrong with those roles, but they are not acting.
I'd be inclined to say something. It should not be casting fully merit based at this stage as they're only young and learning.
If they can't learn lines or take direction that should be explained and worked upon.

You are paying good money to give your DD an experience that you have been led to believe involves the opportunity to play a role on stage in a theatre. As such you are entitled either to have this happen or to recieve an explanation why it hasn't. If the teacher thinks your DD can't do it, then you need to be told so you can decide whether to look for a hobby that's a better fit. Don't feel reluctant for fear of being 'pushy'. This is a paid for experience for your DD that she's currently not receiving.

It honestly sounds like she is trying to groom soon to be professional actors, whereas she advertises for a kids activity group!

It's a class. You are paying for it, but so are all the other parents. If another student who knows they did a better audition is put in the chorus because your DD has to have a turn at having a 'proper part' what message does that send about the effort that they put in to preparing for that audition? You wouldn't expect a school to award the annual Maths prize on rotation, would you?
For some lucky children with talent, stage school is their first step to a career in the performing arts, and is just as serious as the regular curriculum is for everyone else, so it ought to be fair.
If you're worried DD isn't progressing, then you need to speak to the teacher to find out what it is she needs to do to improve.

My son is now at PA college following years of Sat drama groups. There's no reason that parts can't be rotated round so that everybody gets a go every show or two, however seriously things are being taken. His school used to have an "a" cast and a "b" cast so that everybody got a turn to perform.

And there's an age when talent & ability start to matter. Can she sing in tune? Does she dance in time & with grace and ability (relative to her age)? The theatre is tough.

This child is 11 it's a hobby and she's not had a part since she was approximately 8 years old. Yes theatre can be brutal but how is continually not giving her a part going to inspire her to continue to try her best or is the idea that she just gives up because she's obviously not talented because that's the message she's currently receiving?

That's what I was about to say. If she's done her job properly, all the children that she's taught for years, should be capable of carrying a small part.

We had this and I moved DD, best decision ever.

She moved later to a amateur theatre group as an older teen, they have to audition properly for most plays but for one play a year everyone gets a part, but here talent does have a say how big the part is.

This is probably what is causing it - She may feel that people will be watching ''her'' shows, so she wants them to be as slick as possible, rather than be fun like a school play.

Go elsewhere if you don't like her style.

Hmmmmm.

What's your experience of working in the theatre @Helladelinquent ?

Because being part of the Chorus or Ensemble is very important in theatre. And there's an age when talent & ability start to matter. Can she sing in tune? Does she dance in time & with grace and ability (relative to her age)? The theatre is tough.

Whatever you do, do NOT get angry or demanding. Your first thought - that you enquire about how your DD can improve her auditioning is a very good one.

Sometimes it can come down to who fits the expensive costumes in big shows ...