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#1

Height

A couple of my female friends and I are pretty tall. I'm 5'8 and they are about 5'9. We're musical theatre majors so we're just curious...is height a major factor in casting in the professional world? I know it has to have some influence if height is specified in the script or so you aren't taller than your leading man.

What are some of the taller musical theatre actors out there? Sutton Foster and Glory Crampton are the first two that come to mind.

Thank you!
#2

re: Height

Angela Lansbury. Huge.
#3

re: Height

Yes, it is a factor.
#4

re: Height

It depends on the role, but hey if you got the talent! Height might make a difference in a children's role. For example, if they cast a short 11/12 year old to play an 8 year old, then the 11/12 year old goes through a growth spurt, they would have to recast to another shorter kid.

And does anyone think that most of the male ensemble members of Oklahoma! looked short when they were dancing on the DVD (the one with Hugh Jackman)?
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#5

re: Height

Angela Lansbury is really tall? I always thought of her to be a petitie little woman.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#6

re: Height

I used to see her at D'Agostino's a lot. I'm short, but that woman is TALL.
#7

re: Height

She's 5-8'..
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
#8

re: Height

sarah Gettlefinger, who took ver for Krakow in Nine, is QUITE the tall one.
#9

re: Height

Funny though, how height doesn't matter in some roles. La Lansbury created Mrs. Lovett, but Elaine Page is barely 5 feet and did her at City Opera.
#10

re: Height

Well...height might matter if they're casting a couple. Sometimes they don't want the woman being taller than the man, or too much shorter.

And millie, I never noticed what you said about the Oklahoma ensemble members, but it could be due to the fact that the two male leads were both 6 foot 2 or 3. I know Jackman makes everyone else in BFO look pretty short. :)
#11

re: Height

yes, a LOT of times you are paired up with other candidates in callbacks and a lot depends on how you look together.
#12

re: Height

Michael Arden is 6', and John Hill is 6'3".

Oh, my tall Bare boys!
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
#13

re: Height

re: Height I love the tall BARE boys...it's hotter that they're tall
#14

re: Height

i'm taller than both of them...6'4" (gaston here i come)
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
#15

re: Height

Linda Eder is a really tall woman as well.
And hang on, when did you win the discus?
#16

re: Height

You've got me by an inch jonart, 6'3" here...umm Gaston can be 6'3" re: Height
#17

re: Height

i'm sure no1 would really notice a difference (even tho the line is "each built six foot four" re: Height
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

Updated On: 7/24/04 at 06:50 PM

#18

re: Height

lol yeah I was just kidding, just stating my liking to the role, after all Gaston is a great baritone part (of the few lead baritones.)
#19

re: Height

i was kidding too hence the winking thingy...jsut to clear that up
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
#20

re: Height

Damn....I feel short....I'm currently only 6'2 1/2''
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#21

re: Height

Linda Eder is really hot as well.
Its Aberqurque NM for me. Speaking Spanish. Be Back September 06.
#22

re: Height

I am 5' 7 and I was the tallest person in a workshop I did once. LOL

#23

re: Height

I am 5'5" and was typed out at Disneyworld, Opryland, etc. auditions in NYC, which sucked, but the biggest suck was in high school, (an all boys high school) where I was about the best singer they had and hardly anyone auditioned for musicals, I STILL couldnt get the lead, because they "couldn't find a girl lead short enough to play opposite me." They told me to my face...no Harold Hill, no King (they gave me Prince Chewalotacorn instead), no Billy Crocker....

Embrace your height, male or female!
#24

re: Height

5'5" 3/4
So tall compared to Kristin Chenoweth and Jen Cody.
Short compared to all the guys posting on this thread.
I starred in a short film called Magnetic Personality. Check it out!
#25

re: Height

I have been typed out a few times for being 5'8. If only I were one inch taller I could do runway re: Height

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