An Actors Prerogative

Phew, what a lot of responses.

For these last two weeks, the directors of MOT have been getting a quick-fire lesson in casting. With over 300 applicants wishing to be cast in the playreadings, narrowing down has been a difficult task. The directors have all had to solidify their vision and criteria to work out exactly who they want each character to be, at the same time trying to be open minded about who could fit these criteria. The best choice is not always the most obvious. But we have very little time, and a lot of people to look at.

As the actress in the MOT company, this has been an interesting lesson for me. It is becoming more and more evident that first impressions count for a lot in theatre. You have one opportunity to impress your audience, impress a casting director, impress a director. What's the extra step you can take to get yourself noticed? I've been lucky in that the directors have gotten to know me and seen a little of my work before inviting me to audition for their plays, but even this rare opportunity to make more than one impression does not guarantee that I will even end up in a production! :)

I am learning that I have to be assertive in my approach, not just wait for 'lucky breaks' or magic phone calls. A good lesson to learn, I think.

Danusia