Fat People

[overthemoonboy]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 9:53pm

For those of you who know... how do theatre programs treat auditioners/students who are fat? Yes, fat. Guys, I don't care if it's offensive. I'm not skinny in the least and I want to know if I'm going to be looked at as "less admirable" than a skinny kid. If you're good, are you in, or do you have to be a stick too? Yeah, I'm working on it, but I really want to know. Should fat people even try?

[AngActing]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 10:25pm

Sweety, it's all about your attitude and confidence. I would say the casting directors/professors/teachers at acting schools are looking for talent and confidence.

That said, when I went to AADA (one hundred years ago or so), I was a skinny/anorexic girl [probably not attractive as I was TOO THIN]. And some of my classmates were fat, medium and skinny. They did seem to favor the attractive one's, yet, depended on the teacher, the role etc.

I am now an overweight adult woman and the world can treat us very rough, at times and oftentimes, casting notices want "attractive" women and too often, 'fat' women are not considered attractive [even if they are pretty, etc.]

Still, there are character roles and they are more fun, interesting, deep and we get those roles! So, there's room for all of us, no matter our shape or size.

Please remember and look to:
Rosie O'Donnell
Danny DeVito (short and fat and unattractive)
John Candy (he worked a lot)
Kathy Bates (brilliant actress)
Camryn Manheim
Chris Farley
Shelly Winters
James Gandolfini

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 11/12/07 at 10:31pm

While it kind of sucks to admit, it IS true that more fit performers are generally seen as more marketable. I, myself, am not a skinny minnie either. I usually consider myself under the category of "fat." But that didn't stop me from trying. You may or may not fit into a certain category that a program is looking to accept. And if you don't, chances are you won't be accepted. BUT, who's to say they aren't looking for somebody exactly your type? And my generalizations are meant mostly to describe the super selective schools. I didn't audition for too many schools last year, but I was admitted to UMiami's BFA MT program and wait-listed at Emerson. They looked at my talent, apparently, rather than my size. And I've seen PLENTY of large individuals in showcases from different top theatre schools. While it's not as simple as "If you're good, you're in," your talent still weights heavily, especially if you blow them away. In short, yes, fat people should try.

Or you could...go to a school like Northwestern (where I am), for which you don't have to audition...but which is also one of the best theatre schools in the nation...

Don't despair!
Updated On: 11/12/07 at 10:31 PM

[RunningInTheDark]

Posted: 11/13/07 at 9:29am

you need to look honestly at the schools your auditioning at. Schools with a heavy dance influence may not like a bigger auditioner. But I know a BIG girl that goes to BoCo, and she effin' perfect. Ultimately, it comes down to talent, but I would suggest you honestly look into the schools your applying to. Look at the students they have and see if their shape differs.

[justagirl2]

Posted: 11/13/07 at 10:44am

What they said. One of my best male friends is 6'5 and about 300 pounds. However, he is insanely talented, and got into all of his top schools. He now goes to BoCo, and is doing very well for himself. It's all about how you carry yourself, and what YOU have to offer.

[Pippin]

Posted: 11/13/07 at 1:52pm

yes, Fat people should try. as everyone else said, it's about your own confidence. If you are happy with your fat self, than it does not matter what the others will think.

and I would think most colleges will be looking for all types of people, not just ingenues. Because that's what makes the world goes round, isn't it?

What you looking to do at college? sing? act? dance? are you deluding yourself with the kind of parts you will recieve in college and after? Better to give yourself a reality check now rather than later. I don't know what you look like, but the way you describe yourself, you will never be a Danny Zuko, a Birdie, A Rademes, and the like. However, character parts, which are what you will be playing, are way more interesting and fun than boring lead parts.

Just some food for thought.

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 11/13/07 at 7:45pm

I know from first hand experience about this whole situation.
I auditioned for 4 BFA Musical Theatre programs, and I didn't get into any of them. I was thinking it was because of my size, but then again, I looked at some of the other guys in the program and there were already at least one guy that was the same type as me. I'm 300 pounds and 6'4. I am now into my freshman year at a non-audition BA musical theatre program, and the chair of the theatre department called me into his office one day and he told me that I need to lose weight, because he told me the straight honest truth; Most bigger people don't get cast because the people in charge are worried about their health becuse they have to carry all their weight around, and that it puts alot of stress on your back and knees. But, one other thing is that my weight has never held me back from dancing, because i'm actually a decent dancer. But needless to say, I would love to see bigger people in this industry, but I would have to say that it is based on looks, so I'll probably be playing character roles that are ment to be played by bigger people for the rest of my life.

Wow... that was long, sorry.

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 11/13/07 at 7:46pm

In addition to Ang Acting's list of people, Harvey Fierstein.

[AngActing]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 12:03am

>> In addition to Ang Acting's list of people, Harvey Fierstein.

Yes!!!
And Robin Williams and John Travolta are still working as they get older and fatter!

[lovelyspotlight]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 12:11am

So did Elvis.



what?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 12:43am

Jason Alexander is bald and overweight and has had a VERY successful career.

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 12:54am

"Jason Alexander is bald and overweight and has had a VERY successful career."

Exactly. He's had numerous roles in Broadway shows.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 1:14am

Plus he's been successful across four mediums: Stage acting, TV acting, Film acting, and even voice acting!

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 10:11am

And for an example of someone similar who does not even sing, check out Phillip Seymour Hoffman who began his careeer as chubby and has only gotten bigger. He moves from stage to film with ease.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 6:20am

Fat men often have more luck than fat women, both because there are more roles and because men are generally not quite under the same pressure to be "physically desirable" whatever you take that to mean. If you're a talented person, it can't hurt to try can it?


"Most bigger people don't get cast because the people in charge are worried about their health becuse they have to carry all their weight around, and that it puts alot of stress on your back and knees."

Broadway_Bound_Star, this made me laugh. I'd understand this if you were 60 but unless you're in such poor health you can't walk up a flight of stairs without heavy breathing, this comment just seems ignorant. Sadly, that doesn't automatically mean it's not true. I've found I have to be MORE energetic and MORE bouncy than my fellow thinner people just to prove that I'm not a "typically lazy gonna die when they're 30 of a heart attack" fat person.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 6:23am

On the other hand, being the bouncy energetic one recently landed me the role of sexy Paquette in a local production of Candide. I went in thinking maybe I'd get chorus, never thinking they'd consider 250lb me for the sexy girl. Hey, you never know.

I love it when directors like to tell you you're fat and that you'll never be Romeo or Juliet...like you hadn't a clue. Always makes me smile:)

[socialsecurity]

Posted: 11/28/07 at 11:31am

i'm 63 and my agent describes me portly......however never had a problem working and making a nice living for myself......when i walk into a rehearsal for the first time, you know i'm not a chorus boy......broadway, off broadway,regional, tours, films, tv,...i've been able to do them all...... give me the script, a little direction and this little fat guy will take it from there

[gertiecummings]

Posted: 11/29/07 at 2:47am

Also adding to the list:
Nathan Lane
Nell Carter
John Goodman
Ned Beatty
Brian Dennehy (sp)
Sara Ramierez (she's not fat but she's not super thin)
Megan Mullally (same for her)
Roseanne (even though she's more of a comedian)
George Wendt
John Ratezberg (totally butchered the last name)
Chandra Wilson

I also had a prof (who was an ass in many more ways) tell me I wasn't thin enough to do Broadway, and I was a size 10 at the time. He said most Broadway actresses were very,very tiny and I really wanted to scream back at him "What Broadway have you been watching?!?!?!?"Broadway actors come in all shapes and sizes.

[chinto1984]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 7:06pm

Its usually better for males than females.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 4:11am

I strongly suggest checking out 'Till the Fat Girl Sings: From an Overweight Nobody to a Broadway Somebody -- a Memoir by Sharon Wheatley. As a fellow actress who isn't getting any thinner as the years pass, it was extremely inspirational. Even if it did hit a little close to home at times.

http://www.amazon.com/Til-Fat-Girl-Sings-Somebody/dp/1593375433

Updated On: 12/14/07 at 04:11 AM

[Gaby]

Posted: 12/14/07 at 5:15am

Good question! I was about to ask the same thing but didn't have the guts! JAJA

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 12/17/07 at 12:51am

Love her, love the book!

[joshual]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 6:48pm

It's fine as long as you want to play fat roles. Nobody is going to cast a fat person at Charity or Sally Bowles or any of those type of sexy ingenue characters because it just wouldn't work. If you want to just do stuff like Hairspray that could work.

[Broadway Bound2]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 8:46pm

In my personal opinion I think fatter people should have as much opportunity to audtition and receive roles as a fit person. If they have the talent I would definetly not like it if I got a role just because I was a fit person over someone who was heavier just because of the weight.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 11:27pm

So I am a 6'6 330 pound boy and I am doing professional theatre around the country. I am 19 and its a lot with how you carry yourself. When I go into auditions and they say anything about my weight, I saw I can still dance my butt of and sing the hell out of any score. I also say I am willing to lose so much weight for the show. Also its about picking roles in shows. This summer I am doing Sweeney Todd and I am knew that being a 6'6 fat tenor they weren't gonna ask me to do Anthony but when I went in I said I can play any role you want me to play and read for about 6 different parts. I ended up with Toby which is perfect for me actually. But I am doing 5 musicals with this one theatre company and I just signed a contract to do A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Godspell. It has to do with 100% confidences and being okay in your own skin. I know I am bigger and have to deal with that in my career but if you know that then you can do it. I've been doing prof. theatre since 16 and I am big! Look at my picture! But if you know how to carry yourself then you can do it! I know how you feel for years I felt the same way but I had a director who finally showed me how to carry myself and I actually look smaller on stage now! I just did a gala with Len Cariou (original Sweeney) Liz Callaway Donna Lynne, Pamela Myers, Kristen Huffman and Richard Kind. They all said how much they loved my performance. Len said you may be big but you know how to move on stage and look a lot smaller on stage! Hope this inspires you!