There is the rare occasion where, without auditioning, an actor might receive a phone call asking him to play a specific part in a specific play. However, when auditioning, a lag of a few days often exists between the day of callbacks and notification of the casting of the roles. If an actor has not been cast, that information might be sent by mail. The letter is polite, but it's message is the same..."no." It might be softened a bit by a ticket for opening night. They might never hear at all. This just seems rude to me, and I hope it doesn't happen often.
On the Sunday of callbacks for "Inherit the Wind" the director, Christopher Weaver, makes the announcement that he has what he wants. I imagine the room is electric with a mix of anticipation, hope, and desire.
Now, the wait begins. Only on this Sunday in April, for Joe, it does not. Weaver asks Joe how his memorization is. Joe tells him it's really good, but tells him to ask around to be sure. Weaver, with several actors and actresses still remaining, tells Joe he hopes his memorization skills ARE good as the part of Henry Drummond is his. He might have stopped there, but didn't. With a fair amount of fanfare, he not only tells Joe he has the part, but why. My heart is pounding just recounting this part of the days events.
Joe won't repeat the things that were said, but you can bet your bippy that conversation with director Weaver is on my "to do" list. Joe says this role is a "bucket list" role for him. The notification, and the comments made by Weaver about why, felt like he'd received an award. Indeed, he had.
Now, the work begins.
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Wonderful, man. Absolutely wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHamlet is a "bucket list" role for me. I don't have many, but Hamlet is on the top of the list.
I've been stiffed on getting notice for roles before. That really hurts. You wonder if there's a polite time to wait before you should call or email -- or whether you should at all. Like, are there rules for that? Applicants for a job should give a followup call; should auditioning actors? I always feel desperate and clingy emailing an A.D. two weeks after an audition, "did I get a role?" The obvious answer is, "clearly, no," but how am I supposed to know? Maybe the director is just taking her/his time, you know?