Question about "ensemble" theatre companies

[romgitsean]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 1:06pm

like Steppenwolf. Not necessarily OT; but not really related to Broadway, so I figured I'd post it here...

So, I was thinking about how these things are run- isn't there ever a power struggle? There's about forty something in the Steppenwolf Ensemble, so how is it decided upon who does what? How does a season form? How do they decide who directs what show? Don't they not open auditions for Stepenwolf Shows?

Someone inform me. I am confused D:

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 1:41pm

I'm not sure how Steppenwolf does it, but the Artistic Director usually decides who is going to play what part. Then they have auditions for roles they can't fill from within the company. It's sometimes difficult because they choose a play with a great company actor, but then that actor may go and do something else, so they choose one of the others who may not really fit the part.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 1:58pm

I know at Dallas Theatre Center they have their core company, and if they can fit someone into the roles, they do. I think they also require every production to have one core member. When they did "Give it Up!" it was mostly New York talent (Patti Murin, Curtis Holbrook, Telly Leung, etc) with one core member, Liz Mikel.

[Jon]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 10:07am

At Steppenwolf, when a show is chosen for the season, they usually know right away which ensemble members are going to be in it. For some shows, there may be only one or two ensemble members in the cast, with the rest of the roles cast through open auditions. Deanna Dunagan, who won the Tony for AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, is NOT a member of the Steppenwolf ensemble. Some ensemble members are so busy with movies, TV and Broadway, they might go a year or two between Steppenwolf appearances. When was the last time Joan Allen, Gary Sinise or John Malcovich did a show there?
Updated On: 4/12/10 at 10:07 AM