As audition season heats up, some of you are
sure to get happy surprises and some of you may be disappointed when you see
the cast list. Here are some things to help you deal if you don't get the
part you want. Note that this guide is geared toward students who perform
with community dance companies.
1. Initially, don't do
anything. Look at the list, and see who got what part. Take in the
information, then leave if you can. Try not to cry or talk to other
dancers or company staff. While directors and choreographers are used to
dancers feeling disappointed, it's still disrespectful to portray negative
emotions to them. If you can, go home and talk to your family or
non-dance friends about what is going on.
2. Consider whether or not
your expectations were realistic. Is the part at your level? If
it's your first year en pointe, it's not likely you will be cast as the Sugar
Plum Fairy. If this is the case, you should embrace the part you got and
keep training hard so you can achieve your goal role in the future. Does
the part suit you? Sometimes directors see you as a "short
dancer" or a "fast dancer," and they will cast you in roles that
require these attributes and pass on you for other "tall" or
"slow" parts. Directors usually cast you in parts where they
know you will succeed, so it can be better for your overall experience if you
have a part you don't love, but you can perform it very well.
3. If your expectations
were realistic, try to think of logical reasons why another dancer was cast in
that part instead of you. Is that dancer older than you? A
graduating senior who will soon leave the company to attend college? Has
he or she been dancing with the studio or company longer than you have?
Does the role involve partnering, and do the dancers cast have an established
partnership? These may not seem like fair reasons (and really, they're
not), but sometimes directors use them to make casting choices. It won't
change the situation, but it can make you feel a little better (and kinder
toward the other person) if you can tell yourself that so-and-so was cast because
of one of these reasons rather than because he or she is better or more favored
than you.
4. If you still can't come
up with anything, try calmly talking to the director or a member of the studio
or company staff. Don't mention the dancer who was cast in your dream
role, and never directly ask why so-and-so was cast. Talk about yourself
and how you want to improve. Say something like, " I was really
hoping to dance Clara this year. Can you tell me what I can improve on so
I can dance lead roles in the future?" You will usually get honest
feedback. Thank the teacher or director for their help.
5. If you got good advice
on how to improve, put it to use immediately. Work hard in class to
incorporate the corrections, and practice performing when dancing in
class. Attend all your rehearsals and learn the part you were cast in for
the performance. Perform to the best of your ability. Showing that
you can work hard and take corrections helps your reputation. The more
you do this, the more you will be considered for larger roles in the future.
6. If you feel like you are
not being treated the same as other dancers and your teachers are not giving
you honest feedback, it may be time to look for a new studio or company.
You are not obligated to stay somewhere if you do not feel comfortable.
Directors of small community companies expect some dancers to drop out within a
few days of casting, so it's ok to do so if you don't feel like performing this
part will benefit you (in your dance training or any other aspect of
life). If it's more than a week after casting went up, it's inconvenient
to the company for you to drop out. You may be better waiting until after
the performance to change to a new studio so you don't harm any relationships.
If you do change to a new studio or company, be aware that you may be at the
bottom of the totem pole again. You may have to build up seniority
before you are considered for leading parts.
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