Isn't this unfair?

[Broadway Baby4]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 9:59pm

The other day, the cast list for my school's show was posted. And, like in many schools, many freshmen do not get in ...only six got in this year (I am a freshmen and I got in but that is besides the point). So, anyway, this girl in my first period class threw a HUGE fit because she didn't get into the show. She had her mother on the phone and she was screaming and crying and freaking out. (It was pretty funny, I was trying very hard to not laugh) Then, the director of the show came into my class, and asked to talk to the girl privately. Next thing I knew, the girl came back and announced to the class that it was a "typo" and she was really on the list. But it was soooo obvious he just put her in the show so he wouldn't have to deal with her or her angry mother. I highly doubt it was a typo.
Isn't that so unfair? And, she wasn't even that good.
Sorry, I just had to vent for a few minutes. I just think its unfair that she got her way just because she threw a fit in class. She should learn how to face rejection.

[ally_kay_on_broadway]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 10:00pm

welcome to show business. i'm 20 and i STILL see that.

[SarahBeth]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 10:03pm

Is it unfair? Yes. Does it happen?...yes...a lot.

[PUGILIST]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 1:14am

Yeah, that sucks.. but congratulations to you getting on the list sans typos!

[*brina-doll*]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 4:13pm

Don't you just hate whiny people like that? Anyway, congrats on getting in the show!

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 5:08pm

Yup. I can't stand that. It happens all the time.

[MLE]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:40pm

Politics. It's always going to be there, but it's much worse in school, especially high school. I could write a book on that subject.
Venting is a good thing! I know the feeling, and if you don't just let it out in a situation like this, it could drive you crazy.

Congrats on getting the part on your own merits, and take some comfort in the fact that the world will probably kick her ass when she gets out on her own. Who you know is a huge part theatre, but at least crying and calling mommy won't do any good when it really counts.
Also, she probably just killed any chances of ever getting anything good in the future. She might be included just to keep the peace, but I'm sure your teacher would be reluctant to work with her after how she handled that situation!

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:16pm

Happens all the time. Unfortunate, but true.

[nate2]

Posted: 12/14/06 at 10:22pm

Last year when I was sophmore this senior was up against her best friend for the narrator in Joseph. Both have terrific voices but my friend Kim had more of a squeakish classical sound and megan the girl who got the role had more of a belt but could sing opera like no other! Anyway when kim found out she didn't get the role she had a nervous break down and went home. And then this year a senior A SENIOR who didn't get the lead and ended up getting a big supporting role refused to do the show and went home! She never came to see it! It's very immature!

[Taryn2]

Posted: 12/15/06 at 11:56am

Last year we did seussical and one of the girls went to our director in tears and screaming "What's wrong with me Mrs. Wilson!? Do you not think i'm good enough? is that it?" she went on and on about how she never gets cast and how she tries so hard, etc. She got cast as the baby kangaroo, and every ight was late on her cue. It's unfair to the cast members with real talent, as well as to the audiance, who don't get to see the best show possible. but *shrug*, it happens.

[overthemoon2shiz]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 12:40am

that stinks like no other! wow, i'm in a similar boat

we're doing Joseph at my school and I (freshmen) got a callback for the narrator and got it! hehe anyways, this junior girl didn't get it and went ballistic! she complained and i think she started crying...? i felt really bad and stuff but couldn't do very much about it or anything, so then we have this group that sings during the masses, and it has 6 kids out front and the rest on risers and she's been in it for two years and i totally kicked her off the mics (so now it's me and a bunch of upperclassmen) anyways she totally threw a gigantic hissy fit but luckily our director stood her ground and was really sorry about it and stuff but it suprised me how outrageously crazy she got!

[lilprima2b]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 2:07am

On the subject of things that suck...

When you don't get into a show last month, you're bummed for a couple days, and you get over it. Then yesterday 53490 people in the show tell you that when they were picking people for one of the numbers, the director was like, "Is *YOUR NAME* here?" And they all reply, "....you didn't cast her."

True story. I really wish they would spend five more minutes on their freaking cast lists...

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 11:12pm

^Ooooh man. I'm so sorry.

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 12/16/06 at 11:23pm

Well, tee-hee, I kind of threw a fit last year at my high school. Ok, I was a senior, and I had to miss the callbacks for Bye, Bye, Birdie becuase I had a tennis match, so the director said I could come during school the next day. I get to school that day and the cast list was already posted. I went to her and was like "Um, I didn't get to do my callback?" and she's like "I know, you can still do it if you want." And I was like "Did you know who you were going to cast in the roles from the start?" and she says "Yes." which just pissed me off. I got cast as Kim, but it annoyed me that she pre-cast it. The girl who was playing Rosie thought I was gonna be so mad at her because she was a junior and she "stole my role," but I'm glad I got Kim. She was extremely fun to play. I just think pre-casting is ridiculous and I WILL throw a fit about that. lol

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 12:49am

Sadly it happens but once she gets out on her own, she can't go crying to her mom and have her yell at the people who are casting. People who throw fits every time they don't get something are NEVER going to survive in the real world.
Updated On: 12/17/06 at 12:49 AM

[Chrismas42]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 12:54am

Just to play devil's advocate....
What if some of those girls, or guys, really were good enough or maybe just needed a little guidance for the role.
I dunno,
I'm all for having the best show possible but.. it's a learning experience too. If it was between a senior and a freshman and the role was not a lead, maybe not a supporting, I would probably give it to the senior, depending on a lot of factors like work ethic, maturity, etc. Especially cause if you take some time to actually work with the actors, ANYONE can be amazing in a high school show.
Maybe I'm biased cause I was one of the seniors who "got screwed over" and had a freshman cast over me.

As for precasting... it sucks. End of story.

Wow... I really went on a tangent...

YES.. That is EXTREMELY unfair. Can't wait til she makes a fool of herself.... Gotta hate those egos.

[EmieMarie]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 6:07pm

I think it's ok to have a cry, you can be sad for a day, thenm get over it, they director is not going to change the whole cast list just to fit your needs

I admit I have cried when I didn't get the parts i wanted, I just went to the bathroom and cried a little a talked to some really sopportive people in drama, then went on with it, a true actor has fun on stage no matter what part they are.

[Becky2]

Posted: 12/17/06 at 7:33pm

That's so annoying that students will do that. If you don't get in it's fine to complain to friends and family privately, but not the guilt the director into letting them into the show.

Personally, I'd rather get into a show because of my ability, not because I had someone yell at the director for me. I'd feel like an idiot.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 12/18/06 at 10:06am

If this kid wishes to pursue acting or any branch of theatre as a career, she's going to get a rude wake-up call. This is not how you get into a show. You weren't cast for a reason - maybe you weren't the right 'look', you didn't have the right 'voice', whatever the case may be. And throwing a fit makes one look like a jackass in plain English. I also think it was foolish on your director's part to actually let her into the show. I'd rather deal with a screaming stage mom and child than let someone whine their way into a production.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 12/20/06 at 10:15pm

Currently being a junior in high school, I have a lot to say on the topic.

Not to toot my own horn, but I am very much into musical theatre and I know how the business works, etc, and have a good friend in the business who helps me out a lot. And I've been told on numerous occasions by my friend that much of what goes on in high school drama clubs continue on into the field (although not as closed in, of course).

Because I have, at the VERY least, an understanding of the field, I handle rejection pretty well... I've been upset/letdown in the past about not getting a certain role, but I am always happy to have something because I am being granted the opportunity to what I love...ACT...these past years at my school, I've been cast as supporting characters, etc...the last play we did was an ensemble piece, and I was the jerk of sorts...and I like that, they're interesting roles! Sure, I'd like to be a male romantic lead, but if that's not my type, at least now, I don't know what it'll be in the future, that is okay! Besides, working with the same group every year can make you be a little type-cast, so things may be different when I branch out in college.

It is very unfortunate that peers get so desperate, cruel, and cut-throat. "I'm a good actress, I should'a had the part!" "I'm a senior!" "Why'd a freshman get a part over me?!" People like that either have egos or are just really not INTO theatre as much as they say they are and really do not "get it." I think a lot of what these problems are caused by are ignorance and egos.

I hope I was able to at least help you understand...actually, my friend's told me, as have above posters, that people will be like this in the field, but you can't let them bug you...so use this time to practice. :)

Updated On: 12/20/06 at 10:15 PM