The Green Room - Will You Accept Any Role?

Feb 5^th, 2008 at 11:33pm

QueenMorgaus Offline
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To you Directors, what do you think of the audition-sheet question, "Will You Accept Any Role"?

My current director admitted he uses the question as a test, and if you mark 'No', he probably won't cast you. But as an actress (who's never directed) I've never seen a problem with marking no. After all, there are some projects that draw your eye because of what you'd learn from being a specific role, or sometimes being any other role just isn't worth the time commitment, especially when there are multiple plays you're auditioning for. It doesn't mean you're a diva or hard to work with, or that you're secretly saying "I'm so good I better be this role, or else...!" Just that for whatever reason, you only want to do that show if you're that certain character. Am I wrong? Has this been a trick question all along? Does this mean I should always mark "yes", regardless?

"I don't need to compromise my principles, because they don't have the slightest bearing on what happens to me anyway." - Calvin and Hobbes

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Reply #1 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 12:06am

Rosie Poppins Offline
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Different directors, different opinions:

PLEASE don't mark yes if you don't really mean it. It's not a test for me. I don't want to waste your time and I don't want you to waste mine. If you are honest with that question, there is so much more I can do. Just like my being honest with you makes it possible for you to do so much more.

But then, I'm odd, I don't precast unless I announce it and I will tell you right there at callbacks whether or not you've been cast. I hate all the games, etc. a lot of directors play.

Let me make one thing quite clear: I never explain anything.

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Reply #2 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 8:16am

The Dark Knight Ex Member
www.maniccity.tv

The idea of using it as a test is childish and idiotic, in my opinion.

http://www.maniccity.tv/

"The power is not in the mask. It's in whether we chose to wear it."
-Peter Blustrinsky

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Reply #3 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 9:07am

Wc365 Offline
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QueenMorgaus wrote on Feb 5^th, 2008 at 11:33pm:

To you Directors, what do you think of the audition-sheet question, "Will You Accept Any Role"? �

I love it, although it does create a few puzzles. �Read on...

Quote:

My current director admitted he uses the question as a test, and if you mark 'No', he probably won't cast you.

I see that not as a test but... �well, suppose the director simply visions someone else in the role? �Cast the actor in something else anyway and hope they're bluffing? �

Otherwise, if I were a director and thinking of the long-term, and in walks this act(or/ress) who once told me they'd accept "any role," but walked away when they got the Nurse instead of Juliet (or got Rosencrantz when they wanted "The Player"), I'd be a bit leary about casting them again.

Quote:

But as an actress (who's never directed) I've never seen a problem with marking no.

And that's okay by me. �In fact, when I start (assistant) directing�again, I will be one who deeply appreciates such honesty. �It'll likely save me the aggrevation of trying to find someone else who will take the role you (that's the general "you," BTW � Wink

) dropped out of.

Quote:

After all, there are some projects that draw your eye because of what you'd learn from being a specific role, or sometimes being any other role just isn't worth the time commitment, especially when there are multiple plays you're auditioning for.

Well, I am curious as to what you'd learn from one role that you wouldn't from another in the same play (besides "Chorus," of course, yes, I do understand THAT), and how or why some other role wouldn't be "worth the time commitment." �I'm genuinely curious. �Honest.

Quote:

It doesn't mean you're a diva or hard to work with, or that you're secretly saying "I'm so good I better be this role, or else...!"

Depends on what "else" is. �"I better be in this role or what... �I won't be in your show?"

I do see your point, although conventional wisdom (and some experience with other performers) suggests... �eh... �there might be a touch of ego involved, �here.

Quote:

Just that for whatever reason, you only want to do that show if you're that certain character. �Am I wrong? �Has this been a trick question all along? �Does this mean I should always mark "yes", regardless?

Regrettably audition forms do not always provide space to explain your answer, so you're kind of left at the mercy of whatever pre-conceptions the (casting) director might have about people who insist on one role or nothing.

When in doubt, just answer the question honestly. �As I mentioned before, it is probably better you let the director know up front that you won't take any other role than to back out after you agree to do a role you didn't specifically want.

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Reply #4 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 9:59am

craigaltonw Offline
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If a director expects actors to take that question seriously and to answer honestly, and we honestly answer "no", they need not call us back for a different role than what we indicated on the sheet. Duh directors. Duh.

Thithter, Thithter, ithn't thith the motht wonderful thing you ever thaw?

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Reply #5 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 10:32am

kitchensinger Offline
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I think that you should always answer the question honestly.

I think it's the considerate thing to do, for one thing...it saves the director A LOT of stress. �This way they can get the casting ironed out without any surprises.

Also, I think it shows that you've done your homework and that you know which roles are in the show and also that you know your own strengths, voice-type, etc.

I also think that professional directors respect and understand that depending where an actor is in his or her career, they may need to build their resumes, and some roles are going to do that better than others. �It's not a "diva" thing, it's just a fact of the business.

I do, however, think that you should stay open to the idea of someone else seeing you in a role that YOU wouldn't otherwise picture yourself in.

"I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm."--Calvin Coolidge&&&&"Some families go water skiing together; others go camping.....our family does THEME PARTIES." --my brother Ben

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Reply #6 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 10:33am

Tshep Offline
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just a little bit dirty.
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I've used the question often and continue to do so.... and it isn't a trick or a test at all. Reinforcing what DK has said, to use this question as some kind of test is a mark of an immature and untrustworthy director (hell, just the preposition is duplicitous and passive-aggressive.... knowing that this is the way this person operates, why would anyone willingly work with him?).

The question IS useful as a time saver and focuser. I want to know what to consider you for... and don't want to waste time and energy slotting different casting options that the bottom will eventually fall out of when an actor declines a role offer.... This, by the way, is a MUCH greater sin than specifying that you'd only consider a particular role.

They say, best men are moulded out of faults; &&And, for the most, become much more the better &&For being a little bad.

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Reply #7 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 10:56am

Rosie Poppins Offline
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Tshep wrote on Feb 6^th, 2008 at 10:33am:

This, by the way, is a MUCH greater sin than specifying that you'd only consider a particular role.

CanNOT believe I'm saying this

I completey agree with you.

Let me make one thing quite clear: I never explain anything.

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Reply #8 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 11:12am

shimmer Offline
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La Mirada, CA

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I always answer this question with an honest "no." But I didn't used to. I did my fair share of ensemble work, trust me. But when I got really busy with school and work, I usually requested only being offered a lead or large role or nothing.

I don't think directors use it as a test, because I have yet to experience not being cast when saying no to that question. In fact, every time, I got the role I requested. BUT - I am very aware of my type. I am not going to pretend I'm perfect for a role when I'm not, even if I would love the challenge.

Knowing your type is HUGE.

P.S. I have never auditioned for a show I couldn't do. I've never dropped out of a show. That's just tacky.

"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. " C.S. Lewis

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Reply #9 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 11:15am

mr. spiker Offline
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Well, if the director is using it as a test ... is that a really a director you want to work for?

Honestly, I'm never sure how to answer. A lot of it depends on what I'm seeing at callbacks/auditions. Maybe there's an actor I really want to work with, or a role I discover something in during reads.

http://www.fiftytwoplays.com

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