Hello All -
Our first practice this afternoon focused on information about our performance of Peter Pan, coming Friday, May 8, 2009. There are roles for 28 students, both large and small. What that means is we only have room for 28 students to participate in Drama Club this semester. Should we have a smaller number join, we will simply “double” up on some roles. Should we have an interest greater than 28 students we will have to come up with a formula that incorporates “first come, first served” with an eye towards giving our 5th and 6th graders priority before moving on to U32. Peter Pan gives us the opportunity to focus more on character acting as many of our parts can be played by either male or female actors.
The remainder of our practice focused on casting. This is often the most challenging aspect of theater for children, parents, and directors. In thinking about how best to manage the casting process this year, we have talked to other schools, listened to your feedback, and learned from our own experiences here at Calais. We believe it is critically important that everyone understand our goals for Drama Club and our approach to casting.
Drama Club Goal
The goal of Drama Club at CES is to provide each child with a positive theatrical experience. We believe that at this age, the child’s experience in the theater should focus on the skills of singing, dancing and acting to the best of their ability. We also believe that there should be a strong emphasis on the cooperative nature of performing.
Casting Approach
This year, we will be considering several factors to determine roles for each child. These include
- Skill – acting, singing, movement, projection
- A positive attitude (being a good sport)
- Past experience
- Commitment
- Ability to show you can play nicely with others
All of these are important aspects of successful theatrical experiences. We will be considering each child’s abilities in these areas over the course of the next few weeks as well as at tryouts on February 9th. It is important to hold a day of tryouts so that children get used to this universal method of casting. It also allows the directors to hear and see children individually. On this day, we will ask each child to perform a song and a few lines from the play. Parents can help their child prepare for tryouts by practicing the song and lines that have come home today.
Here are a few thoughts for parents and students that we consider when making casting decisions. It may be helpful to discuss these with your child before and after the casting decisions are announced. Hopefully, it will help with whatever emotional response may happen at your house!
Cat Fair, Sage Kennedy, Eileen Peltier, Maria Smart
Casting 101
Sometimes parents, and students, ask how we arrive at our casting decisions for these elementary school productions. During practice and auditions we observe the students and ask:
- Does the student read with a voice that projects volume?
- Does the student read with expression and interpretation?
- Is the student able to sing on pitch and in tone?
- Can the student follow the music while singing or dancing?
- Does the student exhibit a willingness to try different parts?
- Are they willing to be team players?
- Can the student take direction as to different ways of reading lines and interpreting the parts?
- Does the student have experience with Drama Club?
- Is the student willing to commit to the time for rehearsal and practice at home?
A few more details about the decision process…
If we have worked with a student before, we will try to think about the past experiences the child has had in drama club. For example, a student who may have recently played a villain may be cast as a hero, to give that child another aspect of theater and acting. If a child recently played a leading role where they may not have had to be part of the ensemble, we may give them an ensemble role to get them acquainted with that type of acting. We also think about our past experience with the child: did the child follow directions in the past? Show interpretive skill? Participate willingly with the group? We do also consider especially with older students that they deserve a chance to shine before moving on to U32. If the student is new to us, we have to lean a bit more on their audition, reading and interpretive skills.
With students at this age and skill level, we basically think of them as all equal in acting skill. A few kids may stand out as natural talents, but in most cases it is more beneficial at this point in their theatrical education to give them a variety of roles to play and experience. So, while most kids equate "getting the lead" with "I'm talented" and getting a smaller part as "I'm not good enough", what we are really trying to do is mix things up for them so that by the time they get to middle school and high school, if they are still participating in theater, they will have experienced enough different types of roles to find their niche and understand their own capabilities and talents.
We ask students to be open to any role they might receive. On the day of the tryouts, we will be asking the students to tell us only if they do not wish to be considered for a lead role.
The bottom line is, every person is important, and the play cannot proceed without every actor taking part. We urge you to encourage your child to try to understand that just because they may not have gotten what they wanted; there is still value in participating in the experience. They may just have the best time ever and learn something about themselves in the process.
We welcome any comments you may want to send our way on this topic!
