Should Height be a Huge Issue when casting?

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:04pm

This is a subject that peeves me to no end. I hate being automatically cut from roles because I happen to be tall.

[Sporti2005]

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

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:11pm

I 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.

[SallyBrown]

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?

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:25pm

depends 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

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:27pm

should it or is it?

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:28pm

It shouldn't :)


I'm 5'10

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:29pm

try being male and 5'7. we don't get the romantic leads, turst me...

[StickToPriest]

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.

[itstheM]

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

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 10:36pm

I 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.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:23pm

Amen Kangaroo. Then again maybe it was their nice way of saying that I sucked huh?

[TonyBWay]

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.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:38pm

Yes, 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]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:48am

Well Tracy Turnblad can't be 5'10 and thin and blonde.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:51am

Prove it!

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:52am

Hmmm 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...

[Phantom Chicken]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:53am

In HS (or lower) it shouldn't be, but it sometimes is...

[Corine2]

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.

[Phantom Chicken]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:56am

and Aida doesn't have to be black...so what?

[Jwei123]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 1:00am

i 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.)

[Corine2]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 1:02am

And Kate Monster is just right.

[allamarane]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 2:05am

Dreamcatcher, 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.

[BwayLeadman]

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.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 2:35am

i'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.