Does Having a Weird Look Hurt You In Musical Theatre?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 10:58am

I've noticed that most people who do musical theatre tend to look the same. They tend to be...well...normal looking.

I am a bit...unconventional looking. I am a short chubby and troll-like with gothy long hair (Think Eric Draven in The Crow) and an ambiguous ethnic origin.

Now, could this possibly hurt me if I were to try out for a show like ANYTHING GOES or THE SOUND OF MUSIC? Or could it possibly help me if if I were to try out for SWEENEY TODD? I think I'm probably around Michael Cerveris' size or so...

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:07am

It's a mixed bag. In some cases, yes it can hurt you. It's tough to cast people with very distinct looks. However, it can help you. Look at Kevin Cahoon, you can't deny he looks different than most, but he's carved out a niche with roles like George, Childcatcher, Hedwig and Dr. Frank N Furter. We'll never see him play Billy Bigelow, but that's ok.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:08am

Sutton Foster has that crazy eyebrow -- higher than the other.

Alot of great musical theatre actors have cartoonish faces (Kristin Chenoweth, Hunter Foster, etc.), which works on stage, but rarely anywhere else. Something I like to refer to as the 'Carol Channing' syndrome (which Chita Rivera also seems to suffer from).

[IMsooHyprToday]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:09am

Sandwich: didnt you post the exact same topic before? Next time just *bump* it up.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:15am

Most musical theatre actors in New York are not conventionally "movie star" beautiful. I think Husk's example is a good one - Kevin Cahoon has had a great career - and he's downright bizarre looking. At the end of the day, though, I think ultimately it comes down to talent. If you have stunning skills - casting directors will go out of their way to try to use you.

That said - you of course do have some control over your look - certainly "chubby" "troll like" and "gothic hair" are all things you have the power to change if you really want to look more conventional.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:16am

but that's the thing. i really don't want to look more conventional. i'm comfortable the way i am, really.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:22am

you'd rarely see someone who looks like the late, great French actor Daniel Emilfork in a Broadway musical...

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:27am

Actually, he looks a bit like Kevin Cahoon....

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:29am

Well Cruel = thats great that you are happy with who you are. But if we are talking about theatre as a career. How you look is part of how you have to market yourself. There is no question that someone would probably work more as a New York actor if they had shorter hair and were more physically fit, because as you say - how many musicals would a 20 year old Marilyn Manson have been right for? Most musicals *are* conventional...

I don't say that to sound mean - but that really is the reality of the biz. I

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:30am

Who was the guy from Side Show who palyed the reptile man? Don't forget about Gabriel Barre from Starmites...

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:46am

i think one thing in my favor is that i can pass as multiple ethnic identities. i've been told i could pass for either white, hispanic, native american, italian, or jewish which is definitely cool.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:53am

I wouldn't think so but I know I can't ever play John Adams 'coz I'm too damn tall according to the muthaflippin' stage directions!!!!!!!!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 12:07pm

I'm a little confused. You're worried your looks will hurt you in theatre, but you're not willing to change them? At least, the things that can be changed. I guess then it comes down to which is more important.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 12:14pm

Try to lose weight now, Cruel, simply because it doesn't get any easier as you get older, believe me! Yes, the business does favor the pretty people...that's just the way it is. Being able to play multi ethnicities (sp?) is a plus. Just keep studying acting and making yourself the best actor you can be...not just the best musical theater actor.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 12:25pm

Weird Look = Character Actor

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 12:34pm

Right - and I guess my point is - be the best you can be - but if you aren't willing to cut your hair, don't come audition for my production of ANYTHING GOES or MISTER ROBERTS...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 12:50pm

A little shamp & cond will make you feel even happier with your unconventional look!

[Kringas]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:15pm

So from what Cruel has told us himself, he has little to no self-confidence, doesn't have much talent and has looks that will hinder him professionally that he has no desire to change. If you're seriously considering the performing arts as a career, you might want to do a little more soul searching.

[skingdom]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:33pm

popular...i wanna be popular...


skingdom out.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:42pm

That may be correct, Kringas, however, he has the most important attribute of a performing career down.

Successful attention-seeking behavior.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:48pm

I have character looks too, characters can be cute! I'm kind of cute. I always liked Kevin Cahoon's looks very much.

Anyway, it is true that a character look limits your roles, but I wouldn't change a thing either!

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 3:43pm

I'm fairly fat, but I can still dance with the best of them, and I can belt it out without screaming! I'm pretty happy being the Nicely Nicely as opposed to the Sky (Guys and Dolls). I suppose it matters what you are happy with. If you WANT to play roles for, well, beautiful people, either change or find a small community theatre desperate for actors. I will NEVER audition for something if there isn't something I would be happy casting myself in if I was a director. MB is right, that's the biz! I am no leading man, I'm the funny sidekick. I think it is great that you are happy with how you look! Be happy with what parts you are right for, too!

[JsnWse]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 3:50pm

Completely helps you. I am friends with Jason Alexander's son, and when I was at their house, we had gotten into a discussion sort of like this topic, but not quite, and Jason said "My manager told me.. If I always wanted to have work, to stay fat"

[Mojojo5]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 3:52pm

Well, like the song says, "Different is nice but it sure isn't pretty - pretty is what it's about..."

Z.

[kyle.]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 4:00pm

Your face does play a big part in casting though. Bottom line - would an audience want to look at you for 2 1/2 hours? Make up, wigs, and lighting of course factor in. But when push comes to shove, do you have an appealing look.

I saw a production of Ragtime yesterday where Mother was so odd and sickly looking I found myself looking at ANYTHING else on stage.