secondary school drama productions

[emma2709]

My sons school has a policy that in auditions for things like school productions roles are given out solely based on a candidates merit and suitability for the part. Sounds fine but what this means in practice is that those like my son who are maybe not the best but are still keen never get picked yet there are others who always get parts.

Is this normal at a state secondary school? My view is that preference ought to go to those who have not been picked before, so long as they have the minimum necessary ability for the part in question.

Well,maybe that's because the talented actors are still applying?
You don't go to your 8th job interview with a company and say'hey, it's my turn now'- you re-evaluate, and ask the company what they're looking for that you're not bringing to the table.

Films wouldn't be much cop if they cast the keenest auditioners, would they?

I think you have to look at it in the same way as you look at sports teams- obviously the best players are going to make it to the first team.

Choosing and casting a school production is always fraught with problems. You have to know who your reliable talented potential performers are before you choose a production - no point deciding to do West Side Story if you have no girls who can hit the high notes in "Tonight", for example. Then you do the auditions and cast it from there. I always put everyone who auditions in the show, and tend to run separate auditions for those who want main parts and those who want ensemble roles. The kids in the chorus are often on stage more often than the leads, and often have more fun anyway.

It might be a difficult lesson for a DC to learn, but it is how the world works. I have 8 drama students in a professional play next week - 18 auditioned and 8 were chosen. They weren't necessarily the "best", but it's obvious that they've been cast to fit the needs of the production. Again, sad for those who weren't selected, but a realistic experience.

I would be extremely proud of him for keeping on going up and remind him that its important to keep on trying

That is what is going to stand him in good stead

Dd's drama teacher explained it best when they all started year 7. Basically, it's not just the audition that is looked at but the school life in general. If the person isn't putting in the work elsewhere, there has to be a lot of natural talent to take a risk of giving that person the part. There is an awful lot of committment involved with these productions, and a lot out after school time involved.

He finished by saying that at the end of the day, a lot of students who are interested in doing the productions have an interest in drama as a career or hobby later in life. As with professional and other amateur groups outside the school, there will be dissapointments and not everyone will land a part. To give everyone a part gives them a false sense of what it will be like later. And a part of school life is to help prepare them for a life outside the security of school, when they won't be pandered to, where tantrums won't get them anywhere and where they will face dissapointments.

I am afraid my experience with two DDs keen on drama was that the drama teachers' favourite pupils got the roles and other pupils who were just as good, had to lump it. There was a lot of talent at the school, so roles could have been spread around more equitably. DD eventually got a good role when another drama teacher held the auditions, or she may have got a good role because she always turned up, every year, for the play so was known to be reliable. Other DD only ever got a chorus part and was very disgruntled. Sticking around could be the answer or do LAMDA classes!

DS had a similar experience BlackMogul - a new drama teacher started and this time round he has a major role and a previous favourite is now in the chorus. But to be honest DS has really enjoyed the experience of being involved in the productions regardless of what sort of part he had.

I try my best to cast fairly. I have open auditions. Often have people in mind ahead of the auditions but have been known to change my mind. As teachers we also have to consider if the student can handle the work load on top of their subjects. It seems we can never win

Be thankful you don't have to cast a nativity play englishteacher the recriminations from that can last all year

englishteacher78, in my sons school the headmasters children, all of whom are also pupils, always get good parts. They are gifted it is true, but when it happens on every occasion you do start to wonder if its more than coincidental. In your school how would you handle a situation like that?

They may be the best, open audition, parts based on that. Regardless of relatives.

Our school seems to have an incredibly talented group of students whether in drama, music, dance, sports, or academic work who always get the main roles/enrichment trips etc.

I'm sure its entirely a coincidence that their parents are teachers at the school,

Our school auditions so best child for part gets it - however, two children are chosen for each part so that there are casts for performances so more children have a chance.

My DS sounds like your - fairly good, but maybe not the best.

He's been a member of a local young persons (11-18) drama group. It is very inclusive and EVERYONE gets a part in every production.
They always write their own shows (led by an absolutely brilliant leader who guides them) including the songs. There is no audition. The older children tend to be allocated the best roles and in their last years, will have leading roles. After a few years in the group, all the children have developed the skills to be able to sing and perform in front of an audience.

He has now left school and started university and will find he has to audition. Not sure how he'll get on (first audition is this week) but he has got used to having leading roles over the last couple of years and certainly won't get them now.