Singing in the Rain Audition Info - Cut & Paste

[Hollywood]

Hi Guys

Useless with technical side of pc so wondered if some kind soul would post some audition info i found for me. Not sure how to copy and paste it

http://www.istd.org It's for Singing in the Rain Musical for tap dancing boys being cast by Jessica Ronane. Please post in MT auditions.

Cheers folks.

[pg]

Done!

[Hollywood]

Thank you

[riverdancefan]

honest to God why is everything FIVE FOOT AND UNDER !!!!!!! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - it is so frustrating and unfair on those who are the right age and more than talented but just too darn tall !!!!!!


so so so unfair

[francescasmum]

You should have done what I did. Married a short guy!

[riverdancefan]

lol

he is only 5'11'', but my Dad is 6'2'' and an ex-royal marine !

I hope ladies will be glad of him for pas-de-deux when he is 18 and 6' !!

seriously though, I understand that there needs to be some kind of cut-off point but I think far too many talented boys are overlooked due to the 5 foot obsession, and hey - in the grand scheme of things do the audience really give a fig about the height as long as the boy is outstanding and still looks like a youngster - who happens to be a bit taller ..I think they probably don't.

give the taller ones a chance - its almost a form of discrimination in my books !!

in fact i might make a test case of it

[cookycrew]

Yes it is the same issue with girls too, my dd has always been too tall for the musical theatre roles she has applied for, despite having the singing ability she has always looked considerably older than her years. I suppose it will be ok when she is an adult & applying for adult roles! (If she can take all the rejections!)

[Flosmom]

Flo is realising that - age 9 - she's already too tall for many musical theatre roles. I'm 5ft 8 and her dad is 6ft 4, so she was never going to be tiny, but at 4ft 6 she is by no means the tallest in her class at school. In fact her little sister, Pandora, who is just 7, is nearly as tall.

I asked their dad why he thought they made the height restrictions and he replied (cynically, some might say...) it's because they fit the costumes

At least tall boys have a height advantage when they are ready for adult roles. Women are still expected to be shorter than the leading man.

We hope your DS finds lots of lovely roles where his height is appreciated as much as his talent

Deb x

[riverdancefan]

ahh Cookycrew I feel your pain!

Thankyou Deb

It is sometimes hard for him seeing parts go to boys who are shorter, but less able in certain circumstances, but its an unfair world and we have to lump it
If I had the money I would definitely take a case against as if something states 10-15 then that should be the only criteria, height should not come into it, we are all made differently, short and tall and should have the same opportunities. Height is not vital to any of these height restricted roles, you can play them just fine if you happen to be a couple of inches taller! - I think it is crazy discrimination

[francescasmum]

One of the reasons that the children need to be so small is so that the audience can easily distinguish between the children and the adults! With Matilda, she is supposed to have just started school so needs to be one of the smallest children.

[riverdancefan]

I understand that - however my DS for example is 11 and although he is 5'3''. I still think he looks like a young boy, in most circumstances where ages are specified , then the ages should be the defining criteria in my opinion, not the height, in my humble opinion, I don't think height should be an issue..same as I feel for the older guys and girls who are bound by height restrictions.
Today I received 2 emails, from my DS' tap teacher and from the principle of his performing arts school, both linking this casting to my DS and saying how perfect he would be for this part...and both bemoaning the height restriction, so I know it's not just me who feels the unfairness of it
Billy Elliot
Sound of Music
Oliver
Chitty
Matilda
Singing in the rain
Les Mis
and two other shows as he is caucasian

despite being told by a top children's casting director that he is extremely talented but stands no hope of a child's part because of his height..he is not a GIANT, he was 5'2'' at the time!! - hardly towering above everyone

just a small example of the shows my DS has been unable to audition for even at 5'1", he will never have that chance to shine in the West End...why ? because he happens to be a couple of inches over the "limit".
so it may sound like sour grapes and maybe it is, but I think it's unfair and I always will.

[Welsh Mum]

I am sure your DS will have a chance to shine when he is older riverdancefan, don't despair. The thing is, this just isn't a "fair" business. Think of the talented children who won't get their chance because of where they live - they would say that those living in the South east have an unfair advantage. But its just the way it is.

As for the height restriction, if they didn't have it then thats not so say it would make a difference to casting, just that the process would take longer - they could see hundreds more boys, all of whom would have heir hopes up, but know all along they were going to cast under 5' or whatever. I actually think its better if they are up front about these things, rather than in a more underhand way.

Don't worry it won't be long until your DS is old enough for older parts - at least he won't have to worry of some older dancers who worry they are not tall enough.

[riverdancefan]

I am sure your DS will have a chance to shine when he is older riverdancefan, don't despair. The thing is, this just isn't a "fair" business. Think of the talented children who won't get their chance because of where they live - they would say that those living in the South east have an unfair advantage. But its just the way it is.

As for the height restriction, if they didn't have it then thats not so say it would make a difference to casting, just that the process would take longer - they could see hundreds more boys, all of whom would have heir hopes up, but know all along they were going to cast under 5' or whatever. I actually think its better if they are up front about these things, rather than in a more underhand way.

Don't worry it won't be long until your DS is old enough for older parts - at least he won't have to worry of some older dancers who worry they are not tall enough.

thank you
I know you are absolutely right, and I know it will all come out in the wash, just felt like a little rant - Im over it now