About DD not getting a part - again

[Helladelinquent]

I’m going back and forward on this and I can’t make up my mind.

Both DDs (8 & 11) do stage school as a hobby. They both loved it.
It’s a pretty popular stage school and they do 2 big shows in the local theatre a year.
DD2 has had a small part in the last 4 shows even though normally the woman running it says if someone has had a part in the previous show, you don’t get a part in the next show.
DD1 though hasn’t had any part in the previous 5/6 shows. The cast list has just gone up for the next show and one girl actually has 2 parts and yet again DD hasn’t got any. She’s now feeling completely hopeless and like she’ll never get a part.

WIBU to message the woman running it and ask for some pointers on how DD could improve her auditions.

My DD attends a dance school where they have an annual show. Everyone gets to dance, and they rotate around the stage.

DD's still shoved in the back row for the start & more difficult parts of the dance, as she only does one type & it's just fun for her & she's not very good compared to the dancers who do 7 types of dance & compete. They get the prime spots. The school posts SM with pictures of them at the concerts, and going off to elite dance schools after graduation or getting parts in community productions.

In the end it's a business and all about marketing. The ones who make the school look good will always be front & centre.

I'd be asking how we could work with the school to make a plan support DC technique, because they haven't been in the last X number of shows & you're aware they should be in more.

@HeadElephant You’ve nailed it. I run a touring production. Whilst being a sub-standard musician wouldn’t get you the part, being ‘good enough’ but a great person to work with (& spend 8 hours with on a car journey) would swing it for me every time.

My two go to a stage school - Every child has a speaking part in every show (Some are a lot smaller than others, but they all get a chance to speak). They all also do all of the singing/dancing, although some of the ones with good voices will get singing solos.

Don't get me wrong, they definitely have their favourites - people who always get good parts, but generally they are quite fair. They are also really good at making sure that children with SENs are well represented.

I agree with what other people have said about asking what your dd can do to improve her chances of getting a part in the first instance, but I also understand your frustration - If you're paying the same as everyone else, then your dd should be given a chance

Just reading "She knows herself that her voice isn’t strong enough for the lead roles so she auditions for the smaller parts." And wondering if the teacher is actually aware that she's desperate for a part?

You've said the above plus she has no intention of taking it further and that she loves to go and be with her friends.

There's a possibility the teacher thinks your dc actually isn't that fussed about parts?

In my dc group the ones who go for the lead roles and don't get them tend to get a smaller consolation part.

Maybe mention how she feels to the teacher now then encourage her to push herself a bit, go for a larger role and get noticed?

You say her voice isn’t strong enough for large parts - how does her voice compare to the other kids’ voices? Because if there are lots of kids with strong voices, I can see the logic of her not getting a part.

I did high school theater, but I was in set crew more than I wanted to be because I can’t sing. I got one pretty good dramatic supporting role, but there was only one non-musical a year and I kept losing parts to older students. Eventually I just burned out on the whole thing because there was no way for me to advance or grow within theater, so I can understand your daughter’s frustration.

Email the person who runs the club and say that you enrolled your DDs to improve their confidence and public speaking skills, but if they're not on stage as even a small part of the performance this isn't going to happen, even in rehearsals, so the club isn't suiting their needs.

Can they recommend another club in the area which is more inclusive and what's the refund policy for a performing arts class where the kids don't actually get to perform?

I bet they'll get back to you quick smart with a role for DD rather than lose two paying customers.

You've hired this person to teach your DC certain skills, they're not doing that so you'll need to find someone who can.

Absolutely raise it

Being a stage school Mum is all about pushing your kid forward 😆

Sorry but this defeats the object of attending stage school…. The whole point is boost confidence etc… if she’s not getting parts this will kick her confidence!

I would be approaching the organiser and asking why DC 1 didn’t get a part and considering moving her to a more inclusive drama group!
my DD attended dance school when younger and everyone got a part… everyone!
I would in the first instance ask politely why they haven’t been chosen for the last 5 plays!

We have this at our stage school. Same people get the main parts including the owners daughter. Come to think of it, this happens at school as well. Prime example recently "only people who come to rehearsal every week gets a solo" then the 2 solos are given to kids who were not there first the first meet due to being taken out of school for a family holiday.

I agree you should say something but from experience they will do what they want every time.