Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
#0Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:04pmThis is a subject that peeves me to no end. I hate being automatically cut from roles because I happen to be tall.
Sporti2005
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/04
#1re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:07pm
is this in high school productions (or something of the like...) or is this in the professional world?
and how tall are you? (i ask b/c i'm 5'10-5'11)
mags
"grace, you're stuffed in a box getting rid of ass plaque. let's face it, this evening is a bust."
#2re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:11pmI don't think height should be an issue in both the professional and high school worlds. I mean looks, I can understand to some degree but I honestly don't see where height comes into play. I'm pretty small (5ft 3) and so far I havent run into a problem with it but thats just in high school.
I wanted to get something that an "ex"-junkie like him would really appreciate and cherish....it's a brick of heroin shaped like a heart.
-Scrubs
#3re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:18pm
I dunno, kind of depends on the character
for example: looking at professional theatre: you can't be really tall and play Boq..(even though Chris was taller than Kristin- whats up with that? BUT ANYWAY)
So i guess it just depends on the character
who did you try out for anyway?
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
jonartdesigns
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/04
#4re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:25pmdepends on the show. I was cast in an upcoming production of 1776 ad Richard Henry Lee and understudy for Adams, Rutledge,and Dickinson. I actually auditioned for Adams but since i am extremely tall (6'4") was told i could only understudy the role. so sometimes being tall does hold you back but hopefully not that often
"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
#6re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:28pm
It shouldn't :)
I'm 5'10
#7re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:29pmtry being male and 5'7. we don't get the romantic leads, turst me...
#8re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:30pm
In High School, it really shouldn't.
In the professional world, depending on the character, it should be somewhat of an issue, but not necessarily a "huge" one.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
itstheM
Featured Actor Joined: 10/17/03
#9re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:30pm
I hate it. I look at casting calls for ensemble roles and they demand that you be between 5'9 and 5'11. I can't go to a dance call in four inch heels it just won't work 
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Close your eyes and try it!
#10re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:36pmI think it's dumb, and it shouldn't be an issue. If the person is good enough to play the part, height shouldn't be that big of a deal... especially if it's only a few inches that make the difference. If the girl is too tall, make the guy wear lifts. And vice versa. I think it's a really dumb reason to cut someone, and I doubt it is often the case where your height is the only reason why they would cut you from a lead.
NIL MAGNUM NISI BONUM "No greatness without goodness."
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#11re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:23pmAmen Kangaroo. Then again maybe it was their nice way of saying that I sucked huh?
#12re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:24pm
Height and weight will always be an issue when casting a show. Its unfortunate that it happens, especially in an academic environment, but it happens! Thats Show business!
One extremely tall guy or girl with a smaller cast throws the whole balance of the show off at times. That goes the same for smaller cast members.
This is the same for professional (regional, stock, Broadway)casting as well. Some casting notices may even have a height requirement.
#13re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:38pmYes, it does depend on the role. But try to be enjoy being tall, and use it to your advantage! Actually, it's probably good that you have a quality that makes you different from other actresses--trust me, we have enough 5'6' pretty blonde girls out there. We don't need any more!
Corine2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/03
#14re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:48amWell Tracy Turnblad can't be 5'10 and thin and blonde.
#15re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:51amProve it!
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
#16re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:52amHmmm does this mean I'm likely to face problems in the professional world because I am so short? I'm pretty small, 5ft 3 and 112lbs or something...
I wanted to get something that an "ex"-junkie like him would really appreciate and cherish....it's a brick of heroin shaped like a heart.
-Scrubs
#17re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:53amIn HS (or lower) it shouldn't be, but it sometimes is...
"I think Harvey [Fierstein] wishes he were a black woman. I say he's the largest black woman in the show. I wish Harvey were straight, cuz I'd do him in a minute. I like big burly mother f***ers like him." ~Mary Bond Davis on Harvey Fierstein Thanks to Mistress @ spouzic.com
Corine2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/03
#18re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:54am
Tracy is suppossed to be short and stout.
That is who the character is. A thin woman could wear a fat suit but height would be a problem.
Also a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz could not be tall.
Obvious reasons. I played a munchkin in elementary school.
Ha ha.
#19re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:56amand Aida doesn't have to be black...so what?
"I think Harvey [Fierstein] wishes he were a black woman. I say he's the largest black woman in the show. I wish Harvey were straight, cuz I'd do him in a minute. I like big burly mother f***ers like him." ~Mary Bond Davis on Harvey Fierstein Thanks to Mistress @ spouzic.com
#20re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 1:00ami think there should be leeway as to what height and body type, unless in the play/ musical it specifically says something about their appearance (tracy is overweight, mimi is thin, etc.)
awkward.
"I think it was the Korean tour or something. They were all frickin' asian!" -Zoran912
Corine2
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/14/03
#21re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 1:02am
allamarane
Stand-by Joined: 12/15/04
#22re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 2:05amDreamcatcher, I'm with you on the short side (5'2" if I round up and wear shoes). Usually I'm the shortest person in the room when I go to a casting call, but I can't think of a time it's been a problem. The only issue that's ever come up was when my love interest was 6'3" and we had one of those epic clinches that took up a whole musical interlude-- he practically had to fold in two to kiss me! Oh, and being short means you get to play the kid a lot, which can be both good and bad.
"I know what the sunlight can be"
BwayLeadman
Broadway Star Joined: 9/29/04
#23re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 2:27am
CATSNYrevival I hear you. " 5'7 Male in lead"
I fear this alot. I think about all the roles I would like to attepmt, but may not be cast because of height.
Most male leads (Romance mostly) have the males taller than the female lead. I hardly see lovers being the same height.
It shouldnt be a problem, but it is.
#24re: Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?
Posted: 1/21/05 at 2:35ami'm male 5'6 i'm 23 and because of my height i usually get cast as a teenage/child still in shows..lol i also look young so i guess that adds to it.
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