Interesting Child Actor Treatment in the current non-union Wizard of Oz tour - Page 2

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 3:54pm

Wow, the comments on that article have exploded. I love draaaaaaaaama!

Posted: 5/5/09 at 4:12pm

Chris Jones is one of the best theater writers, anywhere. I find it amusing so many people were upset he was "Mean" to the show in his review- it's not a grade school pageant people.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 4:44pm

Here is a post from another Munchkin parent.. STATING THAT THE GROUP OF PARENTS DECIDED TO SPEND THE MONEY FOR REHEARSALS.. THE PRODUCTION NEVER REQUIRED IT

As a parent of a "happy munchkin", I would like to share my thoughts and address some of the comments that have been made in response to the "disgruntled parent". The parent stated in their letter "we regretfully won the audition." I couldn't disagree more. I will admit that seperate dressing rooms for each kid would be nice, catered lunches would be appreciated and all the free tickets you could have would be terrific. I am a parent of a child who has been involved in professional theatre and it is not very often that any of the above is ever granted. And if it is, parents and their child actors are only appreciative. Having said that, none of that is ever expected. We all had contracts and knew from the very beginning that our kids would not be fed and they wouldn't be paid. What we didn't know was that it was going to cost each family a fair amount of $ for "proper" instruction during the rehearsal process. For clarification purposes, the theatre company nor the agent that sent us out asked for the $. Some of the parents thought it would be a good idea to hire a choreographer and vocal teacher to help us get everything together in a professional manner. I never heard that anyone complained during that time. Another comment was made about letting children "act like children" at the theatre. For the record, that is unacceptable in a professional theatre production... every parent needs to know their own child and what they are capable of behaviorally. If you have a child that can't be quiet, can't keep their hands to themselves and/or physically touches other kids DURING the performance, or is disrespectful, those kids should not be there. It doesn't mean anyone is saying your kids are bad; it's saying that they are not as committed to this as the other kids are. Do you think it's fair to the kids who have worked really hard and are taking this serious as they should? Threatening to "pull" them from the show is acceptable in my eyes. I believe they were lucky to get warnings and not be pulled sooner. Lastly, not any of the 12 families paid this talent agency. This talent agency was merely trying to do something creative for the clients represented by them and at the same time build a child's resume. They did their due dilligence... they never said we'd be given more free tickets, free food or even a pat on the back. This agency did not exploit our kids; they were just trying to do good for our children. This agency was always working on our behalf, from beginning to end, and I doubt any parent of the 12 kids would dispute this. I hope my child has another opportunity to be in a production like this one; my child cried the nite it was over wishing for another performance.
Posted by: happy parent | May 5, 2009 11:10:53 AM=




I find it funny that a subsequent post from a parent gripes that each child didn't get an individual dressing room to themselves, but the dogs had their owns pace.. UM.. VERY few people get solo dressing rooms.. look at the chorus of any Broadway show.. they have GROUPS in rooms.. many proncipals share.. CLEARLY the parent wanted more than a logical and reasonable expectation. As far as a room for the dogs.. where should they keep the gods? They shouldn't (I hope) have tow orry about the kids barking during a scene while offtage in the wings..

[esparza 333]

Posted: 5/5/09 at 5:44pm

I think this is a little strange. Having worked in professional theatre before, provided food, individual dressing rooms and other things listed are rarities. From what I understand the "disgruntled parent" was trying to make a little excuse.