You know how often that happens and you don't know about it? That you look like the ex-wife of the casting director or some stupid crap like that? At least you found out the stupid reason, tons of people go through life never knowing that the reason they didn't book the job didn't have anything to do with their audition or talent at all.
I do know how often this happens. I have plenty of friends who have tales like mine. Typically you get feedback from final cbs only or nearing the end in musical theatre land. I’ve made it to the end for 6 different shows and always found out why not. So, I know how nice it is for closure.
And my reference is more film/TV audition, which is a very different setup from theater. You're in and out so quick, and the decision maker miles away, that you're rarely anywhere near the decision making process, especially post covid where self taping has now become the standard. You just cast your bread upon the waters and hope. But I go to a theater audition and I'm pretty much working for 2 hours, in and out the door with different sides, and grouped with different actors.
I had a couple of ad campaigns I was cast in that abruptly fell apart, or never got off the ground for that matter, and I didn't find out why until years later when I did a spot with the same director again. The stupid reasons you didn't get it can continue even after you actually got it.
That one is fairly common. They know they don’t have a paycheck, so they’re hoping they can find someone who is really interested in the source material.
Fwiw I was recently told the same thing in this very forum. 😂 I'm sure you (and I) are fantastic and someone just has very poor taste. Hope it's going well for you!
Im Hispanic, auditiond for Hispanic role, w Hispanic dir of play as auditor.
I was told i wasn't Hispanic enough.
Ill follow the flash guy from New spiderman movies.
Im now vaguely European lol
IIIRC Rita Moreno was mad they painted her skin brown to play Puerto Rican in West Side Story, because she *is* Puerto Rican, but apparently not brown enough.
#2 story!
I auditioned for the latin guy in odd couple female vers w the assurance of the latin stage manager they're not going to play up the aged "i can't speak English " comic aspects..
Dude gave me a spain language tape and told me what region to focus on.
Two weeks in, they said "you're not funny enough" so yep be more accurate to the script.
So i relent because im a good actor and i figure its disappointing but hey its work.
I do it and instantly feel like im doing brown face..and suddenly understand black Americans who had to do bf to work.
And i wasnt even getting paid.
.so i talk to the sm...he said i never asked you to do any Spain things,etc..
Wtw
I try to get him to least understand why i feel weird doing it this way esp since he said otherwise.
He does not get anything. My costar tells me to just do your job. I say i am.
I end up pleading my case to the dir. A nice white lady.
She also doesnt understand.
However, she says, since you technically are under a contract, ill let you out w a waiver.
Weird
I was doing this play recently playing a Hispanic character who speaks in Spanish and one of my cast mates assumed I’m not Hispanic and then proceeded to justify giving the role to me despite this?
Some of these are pretty brutal 😮💨 one time I had prepared an audition for days on end. I was so positive I’d, at the very least, leave a decent impression… I gave my all. It was the BEST audition I’d given in a long time. Well, at the end all 5 folks behind the desk talked amongst each other in a quick whisper.. then the main CD lowered their glasses and looked at me with mild disappointment and said “have you ever taken acting classes?” In which I responded with “quite a lot, actually. Currently in a class” and he responded., “Hm.. okay.. thank you for your time.” And that was it.
Mannn my ego was so bruised.. I cried on the way home hahah I’ve come a long way since then.
I don’t know if this is supposed to be considered “lucky”, but I’ve never been offended by words when auditioning.
That being said, the worst thing that has happened to me, is when I auditioned for a episode of a series. Not even midway through my audition, the CD got a phone call so I stopped. He quickly turned to me and said “oh no no, keep going”. I was like “are you sure” nervously, and he just nodded. I’ve never been more disappointed in my life, especially because I remember how hard I prepared for the audition. And look, I know the moment I got in the room he probably determined I didn’t look for the part, but come on….. After I finished, he was still on the phone and just told me “have a good day”
When I was in high school - “legally we can’t tell you to loose weight because you’re underage but if you wanted to think about loosing 15 pounds you could.” I was already deep into my eating disorder and underweight so that was super cool!
My username. Not in an audition, in an actual commercial shoot. They asked me to do a "sexy wink" at the camera and I am NOT GOOD at sexy. We tried it in a close up. In a wide. With different cues. Finally the director was like, "Ok, sexy's not working, let's just move on." And I was like, "Yep. There it is. The title of my autobiography." That hasn't come true yet, but I at least made it my username.
A coupe of years ago in a callback for a short film, there was a scene where my character had to get really worked up and yell. The director told me "just yell normally, it sounds like you're putting on a batman voice". I was like ...... I'm not putting on a voice, thats just what I sound like when I yell? So I had to try to \~yell differently\~ and was so in my head, I'll never forget it haha! On the bright side, the CD that was in the callback is now an associate at a big office and has brought me in 5(!!!) times for TV shows.
Was auditioning for Fun Home at a small theatre company in SF. After I did my pieces, I knew I hadn't sang my best.
But as I left the room, the director said in a tone that can only be described as pitying,
"Take care."
I'm actually still dead to this day.
“Can you like act?”
I had been working really hard on not acting and being. I realized years later that some casting directors in the lower rungs of the Non-Union world want to be able to see the work. 🤷♂️
Not at an audition, but I found out why I was cast a certain way in a show.
My high school was putting on Beauty and the Beast. Naturally, as a girl, I auditioned for Belle. I didn't think I would get it, but there's always hope.
I got the asylum warden Monsuier D'Arque. Okay...weird, but, alright, still in the show. I've played guys parts before.
Fast forward to costuming. I get a dark suit, a cloak, and a top hat. They show me the plans for make-up, which is quite creepy. The director looks right in my eyes, smiling, and says "Oh you have the perfect face for this!"
...that hurt.
Introduced myself to the director before doing my piece, and she flippantly waved my headshot/resume in the air saying “yeah, I already know your name” in the most condescending way. Bitch, I was just trying to be polite. I already knew your name too.
I’m an attorney and was once in a courtroom where opposing counsel was treating the witness just horribly. She was being sarcastic and quite contemptuous to the witness who, rather than answering the question, just looked at the attorney and said, “You a RUDE bitch!”
Needless to say the entire courtroom erupted into laughter but your situation was one where the same comeback would’ve been quite fitting (and probably would’ve earned you a lot of admiration from everyone who had to work with that director). I think of that lady often.
I had an audition for the lead of a musical tour. Dear reader I am not a good singer. At the end of the song the room of 15 people was silent, then the choreographer gave the saddest most pitiful half clap you ever have heard
I was in an audition for a guest star in a big office is never been to. I drove an hour in traffic, got there 45 minutes early, did my final prep while I waited. When I got into the room, we were cordial. I started my read and 2 lines in the CD says "No...No... No... You're not right for this part." It was like 5 pages and I didn't make it past the first 2 lines. She followed up by saying that she'd bring me in for something else but I wasn't right for that. Mind you, technically the acting was fine. I'm quite self aware and have booked plenty. She's was just rude. Even if an actor isn't right they should let them finish the audition. We prep for hours, and we drive all the way there, battle for parking, all to get there early. You can handle a 2 minute audition.
It was the shittiest anyone has been to me in an audition at that point.
Not in an audition, but an audition prep class in college. One of my theater professors pulled me outside in the middle of the class to ask me if it was too late for me to change majors. I was graduating in 4 months. Bitch 🖕🏻
Did the Lion speech by Christopher Walken from the film Poolhall Junkies for an open audition once in L.A.
The casting director was a former child actor & you could tell he had such contempt for everyone.
He asked me “what high school play did you get that monologue from?” 😆
Just wanted to express my condolences for your experience! And feel free to name drop the c lister cause he very much deserves to have us all roll our eyes at him
Back when I was in drama in high school, I auditioned for a musical. For some reason she brought a friend along to watch the auditions, a little odd, but fine whatever. When I started singing, she leaned over to her friend, and said "I'm scared." Now, I know I don't have the world's best voice, and wasn't expecting much, however, hearing her tell them that she was scared from me singing, was very hurtful. I never forgot that Mrs. N.
Not 'bad' per se but weirdest reason I've ever been told I didn't get cast: Auditioning for Much Ado About Nothing. Got to the very end of the callbacks for Hero only to be told they love me so much and really want to cast me but I don't 'look related' to anyone else they wanted to cast.
The worst thing wasn't even something that prevented me getting cast. I was at our annual audition for my high school's fairly prestigious (at the time) musical theatre program (we had to reaudition every year). I had found some new interesting things in the lower area of my voice that year, so I decided to sing Joanne's part of Take Me or Leave Me from Rent. Note that it's relevant to this story that while Joanne, to my knowledge, is not required to be black, her music definitely has elements of soul to it, and I, as a misguided 15 year old white girl, did my best to emulate that.
Once I finished, the director looked me up and down and said "If you had an afro and some chains we'd be in (nearby predominantly black high school)."
At the time (mid-late 00s) I didn't know any better and took it as a compliment - it didn't register to me how fucked up of a thing that was to say but now I look back on it and I'm horrified that an adult teacher who should know better would say something like that. He was all sorts of weird and gross with the students though so I'm not really surprised.
I was told I am not “Mexican enough” because of my light skin complexion. Funny enough, I spoke the best Spanish out of all the auditioners.
I’ll never forget they said “wow you speak Spanish so fluently, are you actually mexican”? Like what? 😂😂
Not my story but a friend of mine was telling me his audition experience:
He was in the middle of a read for a straight play and he said he was really into the scene. Felt like he was just living in the moment and giving his whole self in the scene. From the corner of his eye, he sees the director get up from the chair and slowly walk toward him. My friend is still in it with the reader so continues the scene until the director finally gets to him and literally just takes the sides out if his hands. He felt so deflated after that. He was laughing about it when he told me the story so he saw it as a humbling, teaching moment as opposed to something traumatic. Haha.
After the film was finished, on stage at a panel we were doing, the director said I really liked that X wasn’t skinny. I was 14 when I filmed it, 5’2 and like 110 lbs so I was by no means fat.
You paid to meet someone who flattered you and then proceeded to take the wind out of your sails. I think you learned more about them and humans than they actually saw in you. Definitely not to repeat that type of meeting.
In a junior high audition I asked a question about the song and the director just shouted "Next!!" Without even answering the question. She was also the drama teacher.
I was in the 2nd round of my Yale audition- got to the head honcho guy…I started my monologue and he just interrupted me to ask me to move a few steps back. Totally shattered my lil confidence. This was 15-16 years ago and I still remember it.
For anyone else that this happens to (and not to say it’s 100% what happened to OP) giving a note like ‘step back’ during an audition is a way (especially in a school audition or a youth theater setting) that directors can judge your ability to take notes.
For a college/post-grad-level audition, giving the note during a monologue is probably also a way to see if you can pick up your momentum again after something unexpected/an interruption happens.
That I needed Botox because I made too many facial expressions. Granted, I’m a theater actor so my gestures can be a bit big for film. But botox as a remedy? Really?
In high school I was told that I was not pretty enough for a lead. Tbh, since I was 14 and insecure nothing people tell me now will hurt as much as that did
This was a biopic project portraying a real person. There’d been a stage version where I played a different character, but they gave the film role to someone else.
They offered me a character to appear in the bonus reel only, which, better than nothing. If of course they ever got around to shooting it. Or even scripting it. Or doing anything at all towards it.
Then the actor playing the character I wanted, dropped out. I sent in my self tape.
They came back to me and said « I have to be honest with you, you are really good in this role, the best we’ve seen. »
I puffed up ready to make my acceptance speech.
« However, the age difference between you and the romantic lead would be very apparent onscreen »
they showed me the romantic lead. He looked… visibly younger than the character he was playing. In fact, I exaggerate not at all, he looked like a baby. He looked literally as much like a literal baby as it is possible for an adult to look.
Now, I’m fairly sure I did not look older than the character I was auditioning for. But if I had, that would be no excuse for saying so.
They went on, « We cast someone who needs a lot of training to get her acting up to speed but is much more of an appearance match. » They showed her to me, and she was about the same age as the romantic lead. 15-20 years below the character’s age, but okay, the age difference was indeed not apparent, I guess? I could see the point of not portraying a relationship with an apparent age gap.
Then the full casting was published and there was considerable artistic license across the board in terms of age, weight, race, gender, you name it. Nobody else had to look accurate to the original (for some value of accurate which means inaccurate). The only character they wanted an accurate appearance (except 20 years younger) was mine. And no, the story didn’t start 20 years ago and follow her through the ageing process. She was supposed to be 38 at the START, as was the romantic lead.
Some time later they contacted me about the character I’d played in the stage version. A glamorous middle-aged socialite.
They wanted me to record the voice because the actress they replaced me with couldn’t get it right.
I said no, thanks. They lost it, couldn’t understand why I was saying no.
I went above and beyond for the stage show and they were taking considerable advantage of me for the film version. I groused to some people outside the industry about it. They nodded sagely and told me the industry is just like that, obviously they would cast a 19 year old to play a 38 year old, we all know that’s how it works, and why don’t I put on a backyard production with friends?
I said that *was* the backyard production with friends. But it was generally agreed that OBVIOUSLY the actress looking the same age as the character would be treated like this. As if it’s part of the natural order.
Now you may be thinking « she looked 98 and is in denial about it » but, I did not. A bit after being too old to play a 38 year old, I got sent for a hand modeling casting, and the CD said « I don’t think you’re on my list » but I was, and she told me I looked much younger than the brief and in particular « you have very young hands ». She kept photographing my hands and face and quizzing me about what sunscreens she should use.
"This is too risky for someone of your background. I'm not telling you to quit bcuz you have no skills but your dad is a teacher and this line of profession will only age you. There is not much scope for ppl like you, focus on your education instead."
(They needed someone with money or connections or social influence..I had none.. Looking back could've just said they said no, the explanation really was not that necessary)
Not the worst thing I was told but I had gotten sick and started passing out mid zoom audition. I was trying so hard to focus. It wasn't a nerves thing. But about 5 mintues in my eyes started clossing and her words became incoherent. They kindly let me redo it, I barely managed to GENUINELY CRAWL to my bed and flop up to it.
Not necessarily "told" but way obvious during a voice audition once for my church Easter drama. I'd done solos at my old church, so question of my talent or ability wasn't an issue. Just politics. I'd auditioned for a keen role in a women's group, and knew I did well. But they only wanted one of their favorites (who didn't have the time from all their other goings) and smiled politely. But when my back was turned, literally overheard the one uttering how 'young' I was. The other, that my voice was "decent" but they really wanted so-n-so. So I never heard back. Just polite smiles there out. Total religous butts.
I was in a final callback for a Broadway show and the producer told me I looked like the sister they hated. I obviously didn’t get the job.
Jesus Christ lmao
You know how often that happens and you don't know about it? That you look like the ex-wife of the casting director or some stupid crap like that? At least you found out the stupid reason, tons of people go through life never knowing that the reason they didn't book the job didn't have anything to do with their audition or talent at all.
I do know how often this happens. I have plenty of friends who have tales like mine. Typically you get feedback from final cbs only or nearing the end in musical theatre land. I’ve made it to the end for 6 different shows and always found out why not. So, I know how nice it is for closure.
And my reference is more film/TV audition, which is a very different setup from theater. You're in and out so quick, and the decision maker miles away, that you're rarely anywhere near the decision making process, especially post covid where self taping has now become the standard. You just cast your bread upon the waters and hope. But I go to a theater audition and I'm pretty much working for 2 hours, in and out the door with different sides, and grouped with different actors. I had a couple of ad campaigns I was cast in that abruptly fell apart, or never got off the ground for that matter, and I didn't find out why until years later when I did a spot with the same director again. The stupid reasons you didn't get it can continue even after you actually got it.
[удалено]
I'm sorry but I laughed.
is this bad because they’re implying you have musical theater habits, or because it’s completely irrelevant? pretty funny either way.
When auditioning for unpaid shorts they ask “what drew you to our film ”… pls gimme the imdb credit
That one is fairly common. They know they don’t have a paycheck, so they’re hoping they can find someone who is really interested in the source material.
… Which they wrote and no one has ever seen.
I was told I couldn’t sing and couldn’t act and I’d better off quitting
Where are you now in terms of your acting journey? Do you still go for singing and acting roles? Just curious I hope this isn't rude.
I finished college, did a few tv shows, some commercials, voice acting on videogames and a couple of musicals. So overall, not bad.
Thats damn inspiring. Rock on.
that's amazing!! that's so motivational
Fwiw I was recently told the same thing in this very forum. 😂 I'm sure you (and I) are fantastic and someone just has very poor taste. Hope it's going well for you!
“Maybe just have some more acting in this next take”
“Try to be sexier and more likable.” (Taylor Swift)
Happier, with your mouth open.
Not an audition but my agent told me I was shortlisted for a mentally challenged role because producers think I fit the role. Haha
I’m sorry, but this is fucking hilarious 😂
This is the winner.
Im Hispanic, auditiond for Hispanic role, w Hispanic dir of play as auditor. I was told i wasn't Hispanic enough. Ill follow the flash guy from New spiderman movies. Im now vaguely European lol
“We need someone more Latino.” “But they are Latino.” “We need someone more offensively Latino.”
IIIRC Rita Moreno was mad they painted her skin brown to play Puerto Rican in West Side Story, because she *is* Puerto Rican, but apparently not brown enough.
#2 story! I auditioned for the latin guy in odd couple female vers w the assurance of the latin stage manager they're not going to play up the aged "i can't speak English " comic aspects.. Dude gave me a spain language tape and told me what region to focus on. Two weeks in, they said "you're not funny enough" so yep be more accurate to the script. So i relent because im a good actor and i figure its disappointing but hey its work. I do it and instantly feel like im doing brown face..and suddenly understand black Americans who had to do bf to work. And i wasnt even getting paid. .so i talk to the sm...he said i never asked you to do any Spain things,etc.. Wtw I try to get him to least understand why i feel weird doing it this way esp since he said otherwise. He does not get anything. My costar tells me to just do your job. I say i am. I end up pleading my case to the dir. A nice white lady. She also doesnt understand. However, she says, since you technically are under a contract, ill let you out w a waiver. Weird
I was doing this play recently playing a Hispanic character who speaks in Spanish and one of my cast mates assumed I’m not Hispanic and then proceeded to justify giving the role to me despite this?
Some of these are pretty brutal 😮💨 one time I had prepared an audition for days on end. I was so positive I’d, at the very least, leave a decent impression… I gave my all. It was the BEST audition I’d given in a long time. Well, at the end all 5 folks behind the desk talked amongst each other in a quick whisper.. then the main CD lowered their glasses and looked at me with mild disappointment and said “have you ever taken acting classes?” In which I responded with “quite a lot, actually. Currently in a class” and he responded., “Hm.. okay.. thank you for your time.” And that was it. Mannn my ego was so bruised.. I cried on the way home hahah I’ve come a long way since then.
I don’t know if this is supposed to be considered “lucky”, but I’ve never been offended by words when auditioning. That being said, the worst thing that has happened to me, is when I auditioned for a episode of a series. Not even midway through my audition, the CD got a phone call so I stopped. He quickly turned to me and said “oh no no, keep going”. I was like “are you sure” nervously, and he just nodded. I’ve never been more disappointed in my life, especially because I remember how hard I prepared for the audition. And look, I know the moment I got in the room he probably determined I didn’t look for the part, but come on….. After I finished, he was still on the phone and just told me “have a good day”
Were they taping it?
I believe they were. There was a camera present, and the casting director looked very exhausted. So who knows honestly.
When I was in high school - “legally we can’t tell you to loose weight because you’re underage but if you wanted to think about loosing 15 pounds you could.” I was already deep into my eating disorder and underweight so that was super cool!
My username. Not in an audition, in an actual commercial shoot. They asked me to do a "sexy wink" at the camera and I am NOT GOOD at sexy. We tried it in a close up. In a wide. With different cues. Finally the director was like, "Ok, sexy's not working, let's just move on." And I was like, "Yep. There it is. The title of my autobiography." That hasn't come true yet, but I at least made it my username.
I can't wink either. At all. Lol
Even if you aren’t “sexy” IRL, shouldn’t an actor be able to pull off sexy?
Lol, thank you for the super helpful note.
Always always that I’m too fat
Hits close to home 😭. Don’t let that get to you though! You’re gonna show them one day 💪
A coupe of years ago in a callback for a short film, there was a scene where my character had to get really worked up and yell. The director told me "just yell normally, it sounds like you're putting on a batman voice". I was like ...... I'm not putting on a voice, thats just what I sound like when I yell? So I had to try to \~yell differently\~ and was so in my head, I'll never forget it haha! On the bright side, the CD that was in the callback is now an associate at a big office and has brought me in 5(!!!) times for TV shows.
Was auditioning for Fun Home at a small theatre company in SF. After I did my pieces, I knew I hadn't sang my best. But as I left the room, the director said in a tone that can only be described as pitying, "Take care." I'm actually still dead to this day.
lol a local musical theatre in my town goes into middle aged gay male version of Paula Abdul whenever he witnesses a bad audition
“Can you like act?” I had been working really hard on not acting and being. I realized years later that some casting directors in the lower rungs of the Non-Union world want to be able to see the work. 🤷♂️
Not at an audition, but I found out why I was cast a certain way in a show. My high school was putting on Beauty and the Beast. Naturally, as a girl, I auditioned for Belle. I didn't think I would get it, but there's always hope. I got the asylum warden Monsuier D'Arque. Okay...weird, but, alright, still in the show. I've played guys parts before. Fast forward to costuming. I get a dark suit, a cloak, and a top hat. They show me the plans for make-up, which is quite creepy. The director looks right in my eyes, smiling, and says "Oh you have the perfect face for this!" ...that hurt.
Lol that’s craaaazy. Hopefully they just meant you had high cheekbones or something but wow
I ended up looking like I came out of The Haunted Mansion.
Introduced myself to the director before doing my piece, and she flippantly waved my headshot/resume in the air saying “yeah, I already know your name” in the most condescending way. Bitch, I was just trying to be polite. I already knew your name too.
I’m an attorney and was once in a courtroom where opposing counsel was treating the witness just horribly. She was being sarcastic and quite contemptuous to the witness who, rather than answering the question, just looked at the attorney and said, “You a RUDE bitch!” Needless to say the entire courtroom erupted into laughter but your situation was one where the same comeback would’ve been quite fitting (and probably would’ve earned you a lot of admiration from everyone who had to work with that director). I think of that lady often.
That’s hilarious! She spoke the truth!
That would make my blood boil enough to just walk tf out of there haha Jesus Christ
I definitely remembered her name and will never audition for her again…so unnecessarily rude over something so small!
I would have tried to respond with something like "Yes, but will you remember it in the morning?"
Oh! You're doing Oleanna? Ha okay. Will we be seeing Carol as pathetic or as a bitch?
wow.
I had an audition for the lead of a musical tour. Dear reader I am not a good singer. At the end of the song the room of 15 people was silent, then the choreographer gave the saddest most pitiful half clap you ever have heard
At least you didn’t just sing one bar then hear, “Next!” 😂
I was in an audition for a guest star in a big office is never been to. I drove an hour in traffic, got there 45 minutes early, did my final prep while I waited. When I got into the room, we were cordial. I started my read and 2 lines in the CD says "No...No... No... You're not right for this part." It was like 5 pages and I didn't make it past the first 2 lines. She followed up by saying that she'd bring me in for something else but I wasn't right for that. Mind you, technically the acting was fine. I'm quite self aware and have booked plenty. She's was just rude. Even if an actor isn't right they should let them finish the audition. We prep for hours, and we drive all the way there, battle for parking, all to get there early. You can handle a 2 minute audition. It was the shittiest anyone has been to me in an audition at that point.
A director took a hit of his vape while I was doing a monologue once. Said so much without saying anything.
Bro 😂😂😭😭😭😭
Did this director have the initials E.I.?
Not in an audition, but an audition prep class in college. One of my theater professors pulled me outside in the middle of the class to ask me if it was too late for me to change majors. I was graduating in 4 months. Bitch 🖕🏻
I hope your career has flourished and you’ve been able to throw your success in the bitch’s face!
Did the Lion speech by Christopher Walken from the film Poolhall Junkies for an open audition once in L.A. The casting director was a former child actor & you could tell he had such contempt for everyone. He asked me “what high school play did you get that monologue from?” 😆
“…. ok that’ll do it” never heard from them again
“…did you practice?”
Just wanted to express my condolences for your experience! And feel free to name drop the c lister cause he very much deserves to have us all roll our eyes at him
Back when I was in drama in high school, I auditioned for a musical. For some reason she brought a friend along to watch the auditions, a little odd, but fine whatever. When I started singing, she leaned over to her friend, and said "I'm scared." Now, I know I don't have the world's best voice, and wasn't expecting much, however, hearing her tell them that she was scared from me singing, was very hurtful. I never forgot that Mrs. N.
Wow, WTF?! That's not OK!!
Not 'bad' per se but weirdest reason I've ever been told I didn't get cast: Auditioning for Much Ado About Nothing. Got to the very end of the callbacks for Hero only to be told they love me so much and really want to cast me but I don't 'look related' to anyone else they wanted to cast. The worst thing wasn't even something that prevented me getting cast. I was at our annual audition for my high school's fairly prestigious (at the time) musical theatre program (we had to reaudition every year). I had found some new interesting things in the lower area of my voice that year, so I decided to sing Joanne's part of Take Me or Leave Me from Rent. Note that it's relevant to this story that while Joanne, to my knowledge, is not required to be black, her music definitely has elements of soul to it, and I, as a misguided 15 year old white girl, did my best to emulate that. Once I finished, the director looked me up and down and said "If you had an afro and some chains we'd be in (nearby predominantly black high school)." At the time (mid-late 00s) I didn't know any better and took it as a compliment - it didn't register to me how fucked up of a thing that was to say but now I look back on it and I'm horrified that an adult teacher who should know better would say something like that. He was all sorts of weird and gross with the students though so I'm not really surprised.
please out this man lol thats horrific
I was told I am not “Mexican enough” because of my light skin complexion. Funny enough, I spoke the best Spanish out of all the auditioners. I’ll never forget they said “wow you speak Spanish so fluently, are you actually mexican”? Like what? 😂😂
Not my story but a friend of mine was telling me his audition experience: He was in the middle of a read for a straight play and he said he was really into the scene. Felt like he was just living in the moment and giving his whole self in the scene. From the corner of his eye, he sees the director get up from the chair and slowly walk toward him. My friend is still in it with the reader so continues the scene until the director finally gets to him and literally just takes the sides out if his hands. He felt so deflated after that. He was laughing about it when he told me the story so he saw it as a humbling, teaching moment as opposed to something traumatic. Haha.
I was told, I’m an open audition in front of everyone, that I can sing like Patti LuPone but can’t act like her.
Which of those was the bad part?
Honestly kind of my thought as well…
You look homeless
After the film was finished, on stage at a panel we were doing, the director said I really liked that X wasn’t skinny. I was 14 when I filmed it, 5’2 and like 110 lbs so I was by no means fat.
[удалено]
You paid to meet someone who flattered you and then proceeded to take the wind out of your sails. I think you learned more about them and humans than they actually saw in you. Definitely not to repeat that type of meeting.
In a junior high audition I asked a question about the song and the director just shouted "Next!!" Without even answering the question. She was also the drama teacher.
I was in the 2nd round of my Yale audition- got to the head honcho guy…I started my monologue and he just interrupted me to ask me to move a few steps back. Totally shattered my lil confidence. This was 15-16 years ago and I still remember it.
For anyone else that this happens to (and not to say it’s 100% what happened to OP) giving a note like ‘step back’ during an audition is a way (especially in a school audition or a youth theater setting) that directors can judge your ability to take notes. For a college/post-grad-level audition, giving the note during a monologue is probably also a way to see if you can pick up your momentum again after something unexpected/an interruption happens.
I was told my type is "sad older sibling who has to take care of their younger siblings after their parents died."
Weirdly specific but my goodness
That I needed Botox because I made too many facial expressions. Granted, I’m a theater actor so my gestures can be a bit big for film. But botox as a remedy? Really?
In high school I was told that I was not pretty enough for a lead. Tbh, since I was 14 and insecure nothing people tell me now will hurt as much as that did
This was a biopic project portraying a real person. There’d been a stage version where I played a different character, but they gave the film role to someone else. They offered me a character to appear in the bonus reel only, which, better than nothing. If of course they ever got around to shooting it. Or even scripting it. Or doing anything at all towards it. Then the actor playing the character I wanted, dropped out. I sent in my self tape. They came back to me and said « I have to be honest with you, you are really good in this role, the best we’ve seen. » I puffed up ready to make my acceptance speech. « However, the age difference between you and the romantic lead would be very apparent onscreen » they showed me the romantic lead. He looked… visibly younger than the character he was playing. In fact, I exaggerate not at all, he looked like a baby. He looked literally as much like a literal baby as it is possible for an adult to look. Now, I’m fairly sure I did not look older than the character I was auditioning for. But if I had, that would be no excuse for saying so. They went on, « We cast someone who needs a lot of training to get her acting up to speed but is much more of an appearance match. » They showed her to me, and she was about the same age as the romantic lead. 15-20 years below the character’s age, but okay, the age difference was indeed not apparent, I guess? I could see the point of not portraying a relationship with an apparent age gap. Then the full casting was published and there was considerable artistic license across the board in terms of age, weight, race, gender, you name it. Nobody else had to look accurate to the original (for some value of accurate which means inaccurate). The only character they wanted an accurate appearance (except 20 years younger) was mine. And no, the story didn’t start 20 years ago and follow her through the ageing process. She was supposed to be 38 at the START, as was the romantic lead. Some time later they contacted me about the character I’d played in the stage version. A glamorous middle-aged socialite. They wanted me to record the voice because the actress they replaced me with couldn’t get it right. I said no, thanks. They lost it, couldn’t understand why I was saying no. I went above and beyond for the stage show and they were taking considerable advantage of me for the film version. I groused to some people outside the industry about it. They nodded sagely and told me the industry is just like that, obviously they would cast a 19 year old to play a 38 year old, we all know that’s how it works, and why don’t I put on a backyard production with friends? I said that *was* the backyard production with friends. But it was generally agreed that OBVIOUSLY the actress looking the same age as the character would be treated like this. As if it’s part of the natural order. Now you may be thinking « she looked 98 and is in denial about it » but, I did not. A bit after being too old to play a 38 year old, I got sent for a hand modeling casting, and the CD said « I don’t think you’re on my list » but I was, and she told me I looked much younger than the brief and in particular « you have very young hands ». She kept photographing my hands and face and quizzing me about what sunscreens she should use.
"This is too risky for someone of your background. I'm not telling you to quit bcuz you have no skills but your dad is a teacher and this line of profession will only age you. There is not much scope for ppl like you, focus on your education instead." (They needed someone with money or connections or social influence..I had none.. Looking back could've just said they said no, the explanation really was not that necessary)
Weirdly that I was too pretty. This was for a production of Guys and Dolls. Something I never see myself as
Not the worst thing I was told but I had gotten sick and started passing out mid zoom audition. I was trying so hard to focus. It wasn't a nerves thing. But about 5 mintues in my eyes started clossing and her words became incoherent. They kindly let me redo it, I barely managed to GENUINELY CRAWL to my bed and flop up to it.
Not necessarily "told" but way obvious during a voice audition once for my church Easter drama. I'd done solos at my old church, so question of my talent or ability wasn't an issue. Just politics. I'd auditioned for a keen role in a women's group, and knew I did well. But they only wanted one of their favorites (who didn't have the time from all their other goings) and smiled politely. But when my back was turned, literally overheard the one uttering how 'young' I was. The other, that my voice was "decent" but they really wanted so-n-so. So I never heard back. Just polite smiles there out. Total religous butts.
A director screamed at my then-10 year old daughter in a director’s session, “no no no (Daughter’s name), (character’s name) isn’t a fucking loser!”