The answer is yes, but less so than your cast will always assume.
For example, a lot of what the students might consider "playing favorites" is more along the lines of my valuing of a Known Quantity. If I've worked with the student in a smaller role on another show and they were prepared and positive, then of COURSE they have an advantage in casting. Likewise if a student has been irresponsible in the past, the audition needs to be a LOT better for me to risk casting them. I also have students in my program whom I know don't audition well. I've worked with them before, and I know that they are better in performance than in a cold reading, so I keep that in mind. And then, of course, there are the wild card considerations -- you can be awesome, but if you don't have chemistry with the rest of the cast, then you're not right for the role. And whenever the play has different ages, you have to think about how young or old high school actors can play.
As for parents who donate time, skills, or cold hard cash: the better set of them are satisfied so long as their child is cast at ALL, and since I always make sure every person who auditions has a part, I haven't had too much trouble with that. The others are just barely worth tolerating, depending on their skill set. Never worth tolerating for the money.
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Katy Mulvaney
Houston TX
Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2015 06:55
From: Greg Alldredge
Subject: Show politics
Not sure what you mean by politics, but are other factors involved with the casting process other than the audition, then very much so yes.
I have cast people, in high school and professionally, because of many different items, some of which include: Height, ie too short or too tall, attitude, past experiences with the actor being a cause of drama, missed rehearsals, grades,and generally being easy to work with the list goes on.
If you mean can someone suck up to me or pay for a role then no.
So many things go into a casting decision including the majority the Actor has zero control over, so control what you can. Follow directions, including being on time and being quiet during rehearsals. Learn your lines/blocking/songs/dances quickly, and perfectly.Be at least pleasant to work with, cause little to no drama. People gain reputations quickly in this business and a good or bad reputation will normally arrive way before you even get to your audition.
I hope this helps.
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Greg Alldredge
Head Director
Cypress TX