Lots of good points here!
I'm another who doesn't cast for type. When I talk to my kids about it, I'm honest about my concerns that the people who do professional casting are often working off a pretty narrow set of ideas about what characters "should" look like, and I tell them why I don't do it that way. I use my own experience and explain what my "type" was and how my looks limited the roles I was considered for when I was acting. (Since my "type" does not match my real-life personality, the kids always are surprised.) I point out that since they are already out of the age range for most of the characters in the story and that's not a problem, we're not going to weirdly make different rules for race, beauty or bodies. I them that claims of "That's how it is in the professional world" can sometimes be used to avoid questioning the assumptions of the professional world (many of which place a lot of emphasis on physical beauty, whiteness, and able bodies whether or not it affects the story.) If it's worth anything, I've cast in this "un-standard" way while still having theatre programs that were successful in terms of audience reaction, state and national awards, kids getting into college programs, etc.
I do tell the kids that if they go on to college, conservatory, or professional acting (and a bunch of them have), not to be too surprised when they find the scope of their roles narrowing sharply. All of them so far have been able to handle the change in casting rules, and they tell me they were glad they got to play so many different types when they were just starting their journey in theatre.
Finally, as a costume designer who has built a lot of custom pieces for the shows I direct, I've found after talking to kids that I can't assume who will or won't be comfortable in a costume. There are thin kids who want to cover from neck to ankle and thick kids who are happy to bare a midriff--you have to ask, and then really listen to their answers to make everyone feel good and have a costume that helps to tell the story.
Best of luck to all!
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Meg O'Connor
oconnormainstage.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-11-2018 14:47
From: C. J. Breland
Subject: Casting and Body Type
We all have to come up with our own personal philosophies about casting.
I've evolved over my 35 years in teaching to the point where I do color-blind and body-type-blind casting for every show. I cast shorter students as younger children in shows, but that is about it.
Each year I send a few students on to major in Theatre in college. Most of the students active in our Theatre Program follow other passions after graduation. I want their memories of the work they did here to empower them to go after what they want in the world, not to feel they are limited by skin color or body type. If I want them to fully use their imaginations while here, I should be able to do the same in my casting.
If you are fully committed to Ariel having a bare belly in your production, put that information out before auditions. But I'd be willing to bet that a costumer (or parent who sews) could come up with a creative way to make a chubby mermaid look adorable--provided she sings well. (The chubby mermaid, not the costumer!)
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C. J. Breland
Asheville High School
Asheville NC
Original Message:
Sent: 12-07-2018 10:45
From: Kristin Hall
Subject: Casting and Body Type
I know middle school is not the same as high school (and high school is not the same as the adult/professional world) ...
We cast an African-American, heavy set boy as Troy in high school musical,
and when people heard him sing, and saw him act, nobody questioned it! He was fantastic in the role. Although we didn't cast him for this reason, it also sent a very positive message to the students in the cast and in the audience.
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Kristin Hall
Drama Director
Lincoln Public Schools
Arlington MA
Original Message:
Sent: 12-06-2018 13:00
From: Kelly Thomas
Subject: Casting and Body Type
Don't bring it up at all. Cast the best girl for the role and be done with it. Let anyone audition who wants to they gain experience that way as well. Actors can fit many parts given opportunity to rise to it. I tell all my actors that it is a numbers game for parts just keep auditioning and working on your skills and one day it may be your number that gets the part.
Break a leg and may all your theatre seats be filled,
Kelly M. Thomas
Department of Theatre
Dr. Ralph H. Poteet High School
3300 Poteet Drive
Mesquite, Texas 75150
972-882-5300
Kthomas@mesquiteisd.org
Original Message------
I'm seeking advice on how to talk to students about "type" in Theatre/Musical Theatre - more specifically related to BODY type. How much 'reality' do you give them in advance of auditions? We are getting ready for auditions for "The Little Mermaid", and several students (mostly female) are saying things like, "they are only going to cast skinny girls as Ariel". I am struggling, because this is such a sensitive topic, and I want everyone to feel like they can audition for Ariel if they want to, but the reality of the situation is, I would never put a girl in a position where she was uncomfortable in the role or costume. I feel an obligation to help my students understand that body type plays a part in casting in the 'real world' but also want to be careful with teenagers and their views of themselves. Help, please!
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Amy Rawlins
Theatre Teacher
Decatur GA
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