NationStates Jolt Archive

Yes! Another theatre board that no one will care about...

Over the past two years, I've been involved in several musicals, all with the same director. My greatest role (out of all three), was as an old woman in Cinderella (I had one line, and some slap-stick comedy type stuff). I've desperately wanted a lead role, but they always go to this one girl. IMHO, she's not a very good singer, although she's the type that would probably do well on Canadian Idol. She's also a very poor actress, and, no matter what the role, always ends up playing a character startlingly similair to herself. I wouldn't cast her, but the director seems to value her cofidence, as well as the fact that she is physically attractive.
This girl gets alot of attention, and lot's of (misguided) compliments about her voice from audience members. I, on the other hand, recieve virtually no praise from the audience, but have both my acting and singing abilities complimented by the director on a regular basis. He acknowledges that I have a better voice (though not as loud of one) as she does, but he enjoys casting me in smaller roles because he knows that I'll work my butt off to get noticed and prove myself. Despite knowing he truly appreciates my abilities, and casts me accordingly, I still want a lead. So, this begs the question of which is better: being a Famous Typecast, or a Talented Extra?

I would rather be the talented extra. No question.

Yes! Another theatre board that no one will care about...

Over the past two years, I've been involved in several musicals, all with the same director. My greatest role (out of all three), was as an old woman in Cinderella (I had one line, and some slap-stick comedy type stuff). I've desperately wanted a lead role, but they always go to this one girl. IMHO, she's not a very good singer, although she's the type that would probably do well on Canadian Idol. She's also a very poor actress, and, no matter what the role, always ends up playing a character startlingly similair to herself. I wouldn't cast her, but the director seems to value her cofidence, as well as the fact that she is physically attractive.
This girl gets alot of attention, and lot's of (misguided) compliments about her voice from audience members. I, on the other hand, recieve virtually no praise from the audience, but have both my acting and singing abilities complimented by the director on a regular basis. He acknowledges that I have a better voice (though not as loud of one) as she does, but he enjoys casting me in smaller roles because he knows that I'll work my butt off to get noticed and prove myself. Despite knowing he truly appreciates my abilities, and casts me accordingly, I still want a lead. So, this begs the question of which is better: being a Famous Typecast, or a Talented Extra?
do tech work instead. No one will say thanks (not even the cast), but damn will you have fun (usually making fun of the actors with the other techies)

I would rather be the talented extra. No question.

Same here.

I'd become the director and cast whoever i believe has the most talent in the leading roles

do tech work instead. No one will say thanks (not even the cast), but damn will you have fun (usually making fun of the actors with the other techies)

And, you get free pizza. Or is that just at my school?

And, you get free pizza. Or is that just at my school?
How do i get this free pizza, and yeah that sucks, but i would say talented extra !

How do i get this free pizza, and yeah that sucks, but i would say talented extra !

You get the free pizza if you join the tech crew. Plus, you get to eat it in front of the actors, while complaining about how unrewarding your job is. Like anyone cheers for the chorus!

A talened extra. Though you may not get the loudest praise, there are always going to be people who appreciate your talent.

You get the free pizza if you join the tech crew. Plus, you get to eat it in front of the actors, while complaining about how unrewarding your job is. Like anyone cheers for the chorus!
we get chinese usually...occasionally pizza or thai.

And atleast the chorus gets applause and occasional people saying "you did good". I've gotten used to sitting in a group of actors, having people come up, congratulate everyone, and skip over me. I do get the occasional "thanks" from the cast, and the director is greatful because they can't find anyone else to do the job who has been trained like I have.

but damned if I don't have fun.

The biggest downside is having to deal with actors at set strike, where they complain that "oh, its noon...I'm hungry, are we done yet?"...so we send them home and I'm there untill 11 at night, and then finally get to eat unless I just go home and go to sleep.

Famous typecast. It's the easier life.

Talent over fame every time.
At least with talent, someone may recognize it eventually (other than your director) and give you the role you're seeking.
Being an idiot with fame isn't anything to really brag about. I wouldn't cry if the majority of Hollywood fell into the ocean, never to be seen again. So many famous people, so little reason to care what they're doing...

Talent over fame every time.
At least with talent, someone may recognize it eventually (other than your director) and give you the role you're seeking.
Being an idiot with fame isn't anything to really brag about. I wouldn't cry if the majority of Hollywood fell into the ocean, never to be seen again. So many famous people, so little reason to care what they're doing...

On the other hand, you get laid a lot more if you're famous.

On the other hand, you get laid a lot more if you're famous.
touche. Fame it is!

Talent over fame any day.

With fame, you are totally reliant on what other's think for your self esteem. With talent, you have what you need inside yourself.

fame because I like to sing even though its so bad it causes deaf people to complain