HONEST CASTING CONVERSTION | Theatre Teacher & Director Shares Tips for Casting

[@DTSDoctor]

I LOVE the analogy you had at the beginning of the video. Just casted my next musical at my high school this past Tuesday and have been having many difficult conversations. I always finding myself emphasizing how much I focus on placing students where I think they can grow the most. Because we're an educational theater, that's what we should be focused on! It's not setting them up for failure, or a popularity contest, or having my "favorites". I care so much about my students and want to make sure they have the opportunities to best grow their craft. Especially when it comes to casting outside of typecast to give them experience of all types of roles!

[@cayleejo]

100%! I think casting in educational theatre is one of the hardest processes because we’re not only there to put on a great show. Student opportunity and growth are #1 priority! Sending all the good vibes for a great rehearsal process for your show!

[@iHeardYourVoiceInADream]

I’m a student, not a teacher, but I did like this video as it gave me insight of the feeling of the directors! I just recently got cast as a featured ensemble member in my school’s Aladdin Jr, which was pretty disappointing as I felt really confident in my audition but I did audition for a male role (as a low alto) and my 3 best friends got the roles I auditioned for (oh yeah, if you do have any audition tips for Females auditioning for Male roles please share!!!) Our drama teachers announced the cast list at a meeting in person and I felt really bad because a bunch of people were upset, so I just wanted to say that I love that you give a break. Also thank you for your content it’s really entertaining and helpful!!!

[@PerfectingPearlsThrifters]

Your insights are always super helpful! Thank you! 😊

[@harmonicdreams3279]

One of my biggest tips for directors who are casting show with younger kids, is to double cast, if the budget allows it, and to not be afraid to utilize understudies. I think it's important to give as many kids opportunities as possible because for many of them, they might not have a ton of more opportunities to do lead roles. So even just double casting a few roles can really allow for many kids to create fond memories of being a lead. If double casting or utilizing understuides isn't an option, don't be afraid to call back lots of kids. Even if you know they won't be cast in the role, sometimes just knowing you had a chance at a role can be really positive for kids. Well all these suggestions might lead to issues with jealousy, competitiveness, disappointment, etc. I've found it being an overall positive outcome. And if there does become and issue with having a double cast/understudy sometime a simple conversation about it not being a competition/they need to work together is all it takes. When I casted Little Mermaid, we double casted Ariel, Ursula, Flounder, and Sebastian and it worked out super well in our favor because many of them worked together on their roles and grew in different ways because of the double cast. PS: Love your channel girl! I'm rooting so hard for your success on here because you have such great tips!

[@cayleejo]

If you have the right environment in place then double casting and utilizing understudies can be a great way to include lots of students! Unfortunately I think there are a lot of stigmas around it that you have to work through before everyone sees that it can be a positive experience, but you have that going for you, absolutely keep it going! Thankyou so much for your kind words! YT has been an adventure thus far!

[@sistascientist237]

Yass double casting was a life saver early on for me. I know understudy or use a high schooler as a swing for the lead roles. When I double casted one got the role one night and the other for the second show. I’m honestly not sure why I stopped or switched to understudies. I just understudy the leads with other leads to keep the jealousy down

[@thepageandstage]

Thank you for this! Casting is my least favorite part of being a director. I make it a point to be very thoughtful and careful with casting, always considering each student and their strengths, but it is so hard for them to believe their worth if the casting doesn’t line up with their personal expectations 😢

[@cayleejo]

Absolutely. I always joke that I wish someone else would cast the show for me and then I'll just come in and work with the kids, but there is a part of me that REALLY means it. I have found that sharing personal stories with my students help - I share about the dozens of times I didn't get a lead role and how much fun I had anyways being in ensemble, or helping backstage, etc. Honestly, I think that processing period is the most important. The first couple weeks of rehearsals I'll still feel some dissappointment in the air, but once we're a couple of weeks in they realize that they're having fun even if it wasn't the part that they wanted.

[@sistascientist237]

Omg theses are the things I had to figure out over the last 10 years. The most helpful tip is the filming and other adults. It keeps the parents quiet. The only thing I’d add would be honest about who can get a lead for my show. For me they must have been on my stage last year and be in the 6th hour class so that we can start rehearsals early. It allows me to cast kids I trust and I know can handle the show. Having guidelines helps to set up their expectations for the audition experience. It also guarantees that I will have an ensemble.

[@skylarstars4261]

Hey! I just discovered your channel and I love everything you do on here. I was wondering if you could make a video on how to prepare for an audition (like when to start and how) and how to stand out at one. Thanks for reading and have a great day! ❤

[@Lemmon36]

Could you make a video talking about 13 Jr? MTI's new Jr show, which is an adaptation of a musical that is already for pre-teens and teenagers...

[@elactx-novapsn8282]

I recently got cast in hamlet! I play Fransisco/Player #1 so this show of hamlet we are doing a college collaboration. my theatre got backlash for attempting cast community member over her and the other theatre professor student's and it was rumored to be precast so it took them two weeks to release the cast list which only my college student the other students got cast so there was double casting and only 14 people were cast we wont perform until october