Lately, I have been bringing Aria to children's auditions. So she can experience what she wishes to do in the future. We brought her to Signature's audition call for "Ace". It went great...experience-wise. Eric Schaeffer let Aria sing her song twice, learn a song from the show and had her read. Though Aria admitted to not giving a great audition, it was the exact experience I wanted for Aria to have just being there.
Aria and I always discuss what she learned from each audition. What she felt she did well, what she would change and do next time, How she should prepare, etc... 
BUT recently, Beng and I went to accompany Aria to the "Lion King Auditions" last Saturday Morning which she really was looking forward to and wanted to try out for. I have to say..I felt like I was more like at an "American Idol audition". With the audtions scheduled to starting at 9:30am, there were all ready parents and children lined up before 8:30am (The time we arrived). I thought these auditions would run close to AEA auditions in NYC where you can sign up an hour before, leave to have breakfast or whatever and come back at that time that you signed up for. Heck no...It was literally a cattlecall of just parents and children sprawled out. Some on the ground, some in chairs and blankets, some standing,etc... One family we found out camped there since 4:30am. Around 9am, the casting director comes out and tells us the audition procedure. He then says, "Any child who is over 58 inches or over the age of 12 will not be seen". No body moves. He repeats again, "Any child who is 58 inches or over the age of 12 will not be seen." Still Nobody moves. When the casting director goes back into the building, parents start to murmur, "Well maybe if they hear my child sing and see how talented he/she is they'll think different." I thought, "It was clearly marked in the audition notice. Why would any parent put there child through this pain of being rejected if they were over 58 inches" Aria only measures 54 inches.
BUT recently, Beng and I went to accompany Aria to the "Lion King Auditions" last Saturday Morning which she really was looking forward to and wanted to try out for. I have to say..I felt like I was more like at an "American Idol audition". With the audtions scheduled to starting at 9:30am, there were all ready parents and children lined up before 8:30am (The time we arrived). I thought these auditions would run close to AEA auditions in NYC where you can sign up an hour before, leave to have breakfast or whatever and come back at that time that you signed up for. Heck no...It was literally a cattlecall of just parents and children sprawled out. Some on the ground, some in chairs and blankets, some standing,etc... One family we found out camped there since 4:30am. Around 9am, the casting director comes out and tells us the audition procedure. He then says, "Any child who is over 58 inches or over the age of 12 will not be seen". No body moves. He repeats again, "Any child who is 58 inches or over the age of 12 will not be seen." Still Nobody moves. When the casting director goes back into the building, parents start to murmur, "Well maybe if they hear my child sing and see how talented he/she is they'll think different." I thought, "It was clearly marked in the audition notice. Why would any parent put there child through this pain of being rejected if they were over 58 inches" Aria only measures 54 inches.
Since no one moved, the casting assistants came out and starting measuring children and numbers of children and parents were turned away. After the "initial weeding", the children left were given numbers, audition sheets were fillout by parents and children were brought in 40 at a time. Aria was number 38 and went in with the first group. They were taught the last verse of "Can't Wait to be King" with harmony. Then they put them in a horseshoe shape and had them sing one by one when pointed to. From Aria's group, they only called back 4 children. Looking at those 4 children, It looks like they were casting even smaller than Aria's height. Though I started to think, The way children grow these days, these 4 children would be 58 inches by the time they started the show.
As Aria came back, I could already see the disappointment in her face and her eyes starting to well up in tears. The tears held back as we marched through the hundreds of children lined up outside for there turn. As we got in the van, I asked her, "So what do you think you did well in this audition?" "I followed directions and sang well enough", she said. "And what do you think the casting director was looking for out of all of you guys", I questioned. "She hesitates a bit and answers a bit in frustration, "Skinny, short children who probably can fit the costume" I left it at that and drove in silence for a while for her to reflect.
You see, this is the 3rd time Aria's been to an audition and told point blank, "You're too heavy or you're too fat"
I did have a pep talk about it when we got home and told her she should try concentrating more on expressive musical comedy pieces that show her off as a performer as well as a singer and to keep up her "dance" for auditions with movement and dance. I assured her that being heavy doesn't mean your terrible. "Look at me!", I pointed out. "Dad still works as a performer, because I chose to use what I have to the best of my ability."
Ending our pep talk, I always reassure her that Mom and Dad will always love her and support her in all she decides.
What can one make of all this? Should I start pushing towards her to lose weight at this young age of eleven for the desired roles or should I coax her to go towards the direction of character acting?
8 comments:
The only time I was told that I was too heavy, to my face, was by the producers of the Busch Gardens shows. I auditioned when I was about 20 years old and they had me to the final callbacks. At the end one of the producers took me aside and siad that they only reason they weren't going to hire me was because of my size ( I was a lot thinner back then). I thought that at least he was honest and I really didn't want to live in an apartment with four other performers all summer long anyway.
But it all turned out well, I have done some fantastic rolls, dated many lovely and wonderful women and even married a beautiful lady. Hey, I just realized that I'm a sex symbol! Alright!
Jim, You are more than a "Sex Symbol" You are the "Dancin' with the Dinner Theatre Stars Champion"
My two cents on this is that she is a child - she is getting experience and will make of it what she will - you can never leave and assume you know what a casting director wants or is looking for....unless they flat out say what you say she has been told.
Hundreds of heavy girls would show up for our Grease calls for Jan and we decided not to cast a heavy Jan and the girls were all shocked when they saw what was called back for the role - there were always a few larger girls in the mix but it confused many. Only in year three did we cast a larger Jan.
I digress - you should not push her to lose weight for theatre - if it is for health reasons, that is another story. If she feels that is why she isnt getting cast then she can make that decision on her own and then you can help her thru that. Keep taking her to these calls as auditioning is a skill and when one is comfortable and doesnt have ones heart set on it "I must get this job" they usually do better.
Thanks "FollowSpot" That is great advice and will share these words of wisdom. It was just hard hearing Aria's thoughts about the audition. I don't want to push her to diet and especially for the sole purpose of a role. BUT...Aria decided she wants to diet after seeing the so-called skinny girls and I would like to support her in her decision, but I guess I would have to point out like you said for the case of health reasons. Honestly, I see alot of Aria as a reflection of myself, but I am emotionally stronger and more at ease of excepting the facts due to age and experience. I just don't want to see my baby get emotionally twisted due to harsh auditions. Though, It's her decision to head the path of a performer. But believe me, it hurts me 200% more to have her experience rejection due to size.
Ron sadly that is the world we live in. We live in a skinny world. I think that Mark is right let Aria decide that on her own it would be better in the long run. The only reason you should advise her to lose weight is for her own health not because she needs to fit in better. It sounds like she handling it ok and not resenting acting. Maybe you should teach her some of your dance moves.
if she wants to make a change in her life - three cheers for her! You are a good DAD
Hi Ron,
I've never commented on your blog, but have enjoyed reading it. I'm appalled that a stranger adult would tell a child that they were too heavy, unless it is a health professional. In this day of rampant eating disorders, I simply like to stress healthy eating and living with my children at home and at school. Lots of exercise and be aware of serving sizes and healthful foods (I say as I sit at my computer enjoying a Poptart). I am sure Aria already knows these things, and she is surely beautiful! I have been told by college teachers and by directors that I needed to lose weight. It is depressing and discouraging as an adult or child, but with a great support structure and strong self worth, you can do whatever you like with the feedback. Off subject-I sure do wish I could see the Springer Musical!
Hey Jill;
So nice to hear from you!It is truly horrible for a casting director to start going down the line of children and start pointing out their flaws...in front of the other children on top of that. BUT...In the same aspect, I chose not to get involve and be one of those stage parents that whould retract and say, "How dare you say that to my child?!" or the most recent phrase, "Just audition my child anyway, she/he's very talented.
My daughter, Aria is truly a "Broadway Baby"! Aria's seen and experience the ugly in this crazy life of performing and she continues to be hungry for more. It just really hurts to see my baby get hurt simply because of the judgement of a casting director. But I will continue to be with her and support her in what she choses to do.
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