No Small Actors Need Apply

So Las Vegas seems to have hit a saturation point with the number of local theatrical productions and the apparent lack of "talent".  I've mentioned this in a few prior posts, but I restate it here as it relates to this one.

There are no small parts, only small actors.   ~Konstantin Stanislavisky

I've heard this quote many times over the years and always presumed to understand its meaning.  It's not too difficult to comprehend, but I've been seeing a trend around here that I too am guilty of: 

• Not taking roles because you think it's a waste of your talent.  
• Or the opposite, only auditioning for the lead and not accepting smaller roles. 

And it appears to me that many of us could stand to reflect on the above quote and figure out what it means to each of us.

Personally, I have seen myself not appreciating the time and commitment necessary to fulfill the roles of non-principles or ensemble cast members.  I've been there, and never received praise, never got acknowledged beyond the program or by family and friends that attended performances and never expected as much.  I always saw it as paying dues.  Over time, I accepted fewer and fewer roles of that nature.  I don't think I've been in an ensemble in over 10 years.  A recent article on a fellow Sweeney Todd cast member made me realize the importance of a strong ensemble. So I'm reconsidering possible roles for this summers SST lineup (see below).

Actors are driven to certain roles and some productions just call to you.  I was struck with just such a situation with my current production, Next To Normal.  It's a six person cast, and I wanted to play the "Male Lead". (I know. There are four Male roles, two adult and two teen. Technically there are two Male Leads. Whatever.  Let me get back to my point.)  I went into the auditions and did not put the supporting character as one I was interested in.  I wanted to play opposite my girlfriend, and as it was, neither of us were offered the main roles.  (Feel free to read backward in my blog for the deeper story of the casting issues I dealt with.)  As it turned out, I was offered the role of Dr. Fine/Madden.  And after some deliberation, I accepted.  

I want to state, that this show in no way has small roles.  It was never my intention to give any indication that that's what I thought.  I wanted the vocal challenge that the role of Dan would offer, and with the "saturation" issue, I had other role opportunities.  And that's when it dawned on me.  I was considering other roles for shows that didn't speak to me.  I realized, I wanted to be in this show.  When I first heard it was going to be produced here, I was excited.   The story and the characters hit so close to home that up until I accepted the role, I was waking up to myself singing the music in my sleep.  Other shows offered good roles, and some shows I could have gone for the leads.  That didn't interest me.  There are certain shows that I would love to perform in, Street Car, Death of a Salesman, Glengarry Glen Ross, and  more Musicals than I can list, but my time for those will come.  This one is now and powerful and with a great cast.  I wanted to be a part of that.  I wanted to tell my story and be part of the larger story too.  Can't do that if you are always holding out for the lead.

I told that to my girlfriend last night.  We are going to audition together for Music Man (Her for Marian the Librarian and me for Prof. Hill).  I told her that I'd take an ensemble role if she got Marian and I didn't get offered anything.  It's about having the passion to share the tale. Sharing the experience together.  I got to do that last summer with my daughter when we did Joseph together.  It's not about padding your actor's resume........(sometimes it is, but that's another post).  But you have to want it.  The last time I felt that way was Oct 2011 with Avenue Q.  I wasn't cast, but I called the director and told him I'd do anything.  Just be Trekkie's right arm, whatever.  I'd make my schedule work.  As it turned out, I got to be Nicky for a few performances and a Bad Idea Bear for the run.  A great experience.  Ironically, our Kate Monster is playing Diana in Next to Normal and our Princeton is creating the music tracks.


I guess my point is that if the role doesn't speak to you, it doesn't matter what the offer is.  I would never accept a role in a show I wasn't interested in, or had no connection to.  Maybe there's a dollar figure in there somewhere that might change that, but I look at the above quote differently now.  A small minded actor never sees the big picture, only the glory/fame/accolades of a role.  A true actor sees every piece and knows where he/she fits.  Those actors are connected to the story and each other and only by having that connection can the audience see the vision. That's what I want.  I'll get that with Next to Normal.

When did I become a Diva?

I don't know when it happened, or what caused it, but lately I've just wanted to tell everyone, "If you need me, I'll be in my trailer."  I feel that my acting is a commodity, and though I perform for free, I'm about to just tell directors to just cast me.  It's frustrating to be asked to go to auditions and not get cast, but it's even worse when you don't go and then get the speech by a director/producer, "Why didn't you go?  The part was yours? You would have killed it."   If that's your assessment without me even auditioning, then obviously you should just give me the role.  Don't make me feel guilty for not going.  I have my reasons, ok? Like maybe I have four other shows that I have already been called back for.  Which is something entirely different, since two of them I didn't even audition for in the first place.

I think Vegas Theater has reached its saturation point.  With the number of theater groups putting on shows, and the lack of turnout (especially with musicals), it's hard to pick and choose what I'd like to do.  There are some shows that won't ever go away  (*cough* Camelot) and some that no one knows (Violet), and some where the timing is right for my age type (Music Man).  Then comes the part where directors ask me to audition.  I respect the process and if I'm interested in the show/role I'm all over it, but it's beginning to feel like I'd be better to just sit back and wait for offers.  Too many shows right now are extending auditions.  Camelot doesn't have a Lancelot?  Nobody went to Violet auditions?  And don't even get me started on Next to Normal.

I picked my calendar out last Nov/Dec and it was reasonable.  Next to Normal, Urinetown, Music Man or How To Succeed, Producers, Into the Woods.  Those were the shows I wanted to do.  Roles were varied, but I like the character roles and strong leads.  A little mix of that with these shows.  Of course, I have to audition and be cast, but I'm confident in my abilities.  If the Director has a different vision that I don't fit into, I'm fine with that.  There was some overlap with these shows, so I didn't figure I could realistically do them all, but I love to perform and like I said, I trust my abilities........except my falsetto bridge.......a post for later.

So obviously, I didn't plan on auditioning for Irma Vep or Clockwork Orange or Guys and Dolls or One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or Death of a Salesman or a slew of others.  Maybe it was scheduling.  Maybe I don't know the show.  Maybe I don't trust the director/producer/likely cast.  Doesn't matter.  These were the fallbacks I guess.  I didn't get cast for Next to Normal (wait for it), so I auditioned for Irma Vep, which I also didn't get cast.  Fine.  Urinetown was next, except I'm asked to come to call backs for two other shows, plus Tony and Tina's at Ballys wants me to come back for a fifth callback......another post for later.  And to top it off, I'm asked to come back for Next to Normal.  And still didn't get the role of Dan, though offered the Doctor....but only cause the first person cast had to back out.

So why am I busting my butt?  Had I not gone into Next to Normal auditions, I probably still would have been asked to, simply because there weren't enough choices.  Maybe the same results, but three weeks of stress averted.  Now I'm stuck with callbacks for shows that weren't on my list, but I would enjoy doing, an offer for a role I didn't list as one I wanted, but for a show I've fallen in love with (more love/hate at the moment). And to top it off, I'm getting criticism for not going to other auditions and for considering a role I'm actually being offered.  Ahhh.  This shouldn't be so hard.

So, I'm tempted to just be "that guy".  It will kill most opportunities I have, but I'm doing this for free.  DON'T make me tell you that I have to be paid.  DON'T make me just wait for you to come to me with an offer.  DON'T be upset if I don't go to auditions.  Be proactive.  Just call me and offer me the role, don't tell me it was mine if only I'd gone to auditions.  That's bullshit.

I've just realized I don't have a trailer.  I've also realized that I'm not being paid, so why stress at all.   Maybe I'll split the difference and tell people, "If the audition I didn't go to was good enough to get me a call back, then me not going to the call back should be perfect for me getting the role".   I'll be in my SMART car if anyone needs me.