[School Plays] Stereotypical Casting :|

OK this REALLY bugs me...

I've been at my school for 4 years, been in 4 productions and here are my roles:

Hamlet
The White Rabbit
"Brainiac"
A member of the "Salvation Army"

The two in bold are the two that particularly annoy me...

My teacher knows I'm a good actor - he's predicted me an A* for Drama GCSE, so I can't be that bad...but yet I get cast into this role, stereotyping me because I wear glasses and (had) braces?

I think it's unfair that people get cast on what they look like rather than how good they are at acting. Another teacher even said if I didn't have glasses I would probably have bigger parts...

some of the kids getting the main roles in this years play - Guys & Dolls - cannot act/sing/dance to save their life, but because they're "gangsters" they get the good parts?

I hate it when people are cast due to their look/attitude rather than acting skills. I'm actually not that nerdy, I do a lot of music/sport and that...I just don't get in trouble like the "cool" kids.


So yeah back to the point, I'm really annoyed at the Drama department at the moment for casting me in these "nerdy" roles, because I have glasses? Does anyone else get this?


Just to add: I found out that this kid - who failed his singing Grade 1 because he was so bad, failed his drama GCSE and has two left feet has one of the main parts?

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Drama isnt a real qualification anyway.

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Originally Posted by Nazi

Drama isnt a real qualification anyway.

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Lol. Harsh. Lots of essay writing actually.

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Originally Posted by R0BB13G

Lol. Harsh. Lots of essay writing actually.

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I wouldnt try and defend it. Its a sad truth, for you atleast. Im terrible at drama

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Originally Posted by NaughtyNemo

I wouldnt try and defend it. Its a sad truth, for you atleast. Im terrible at drama

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Lol, I took it because my Drama teacher sent my parents a letter saying I'm Gifted & Talented in it and I could (if I wanted to) pass it easily. I should've taken computing though. Oh well.

Sorry to be so insensitive but I am really confused... you say you're in a wheelchair but you're saying you do lots of sport and dance..?
so whats actually wrong..?

the way the world works is that what you look like gets the part, if a character is decided to be fat then a fat person has to play them, you cant have a skinny person!!

good luck with the production

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Originally Posted by Myke

Sorry to be so insensitive but I am really confused... you say you're in a wheelchair but you're saying you do lots of sport and dance..?
so whats actually wrong..?

the way the world works is that what you look like gets the part, if a character is decided to be fat then a fat person has to play them, you cant have a skinny person!!

good luck with the production

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I use a wheelchair - yes. I don't do much dance...but I do sport such as skiing. I have a wheelchair when I need it - not often.

Anyway, yes some parts are what you look like, but a generic part like "crapshooter" as the part I wanted in Guys & Dolls is basically a gangster. There is no defined look for it. There is also no defined look for Salvation Army. I understand why you would want people to look like their part, but the main girl character (who is blonde in the real play/film) is ginger in our version? That's hardly going with what they look like.

I think they should do it on actual skill then, if there are two people fighting for the same part, physical looks.

To be fair, in the real world, most plays etc are cast because of what people look like and what their real life character is like.

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Originally Posted by -Punchline

To be fair, in the real world, most plays etc are cast because of what people look like and what their real life character is like.

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But they're not going to cast someone who looks identical to the original actor if they can't act for ****?

Isn't you saying a person can't act just your opinion? Maybe the people doing the casting feel the person can act.
And when they cast people they take into account different factors, not just whether they're an amazing actor or whether they look good for the part.

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Originally Posted by R0BB13G

But they're not going to cast someone who looks identical to the original actor if they can't act for ****?

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Originally Posted by rucksack.

Isn't you saying a person can't act just your opinion? Maybe the people doing the casting feel the person can act.
And when they cast people they take into account different factors, not just whether they're an amazing actor or whether they look good for the part.

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It might be my opinion, but as with the example I gave - the Drama exam board share my opinion. And yes they might take into account different factors, but surely they would, as I've said over and over, go for the best actor over someone who looks the part?

I don't think looks should matter, if someone was meant to be 'beautiful' on screen and they chose an 'ugly' person who cares? It should be about beauty and characteristics within.
As I wear glasses, and have been in a situation sort of like this before (but mine was sexist) I feel that looks shouldn't matter.

Basically, we could only take BTEC performing arts (I didn't) but my ex did, and no one liked him, and he's a bit chubby, and he got the minimal parts, just sweeping a broom off stage and such; that was because he wasn't that good. That's what it should be about, I do see where you are coming from and I feel that you are in the right.

When you are in the production or rehearsing, look at the other characters portrayed in the production, maybe they are like that because that's how they act/look in real life, it may be because they can relate to the part and it may be fun for them, but what the teacher doesn't realise is that he/she should take into consideration everyone's views.
However, maybe the teacher didn't have the time to rehearse a lot, and didn't want someone who didn't look the part - to be honest, if you are good at drama then it's her/his loss.

I've like critisied my point in there a bit, but I stick with my first thought, it isn't fair. Regardless of looks they should be picking people who are best for the role, that's the only way they can improve.

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Originally Posted by Samanfa

I don't think looks should matter, if someone was meant to be 'beautiful' on screen and they chose an 'ugly' person who cares? It should be about beauty and characteristics within.
As I wear glasses, and have been in a situation sort of like this before (but mine was sexist) I feel that looks shouldn't matter.

Basically, we could only take BTEC performing arts (I didn't) but my ex did, and no one liked him, and he's a bit chubby, and he got the minimal parts, just sweeping a broom off stage and such; that was because he wasn't that good. That's what it should be about, I do see where you are coming from and I feel that you are in the right.

When you are in the production or rehearsing, look at the other characters portrayed in the production, maybe they are like that because that's how they act/look in real life, it may be because they can relate to the part and it may be fun for them, but what the teacher doesn't realise is that he/she should take into consideration everyone's views.
However, maybe the teacher didn't have the time to rehearse a lot, and didn't want someone who didn't look the part - to be honest, if you are good at drama then it's her/his loss.

I've like critisied my point in there a bit, but I stick with my first thought, it isn't fair. Regardless of looks they should be picking people who are best for the role, that's the only way they can improve.

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Yup. And if they don't look the part - unless it's their natural physique - surely a bit of hair dye would do that trick?

From personal experience I'd rather have a good actor who doesn't look like the original character than a bad actor who does.

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Originally Posted by R0BB13G

Yup. And if they don't look the part - unless it's their natural physique - surely a bit of hair dye would do that trick?

From personal experience I'd rather have a good actor who doesn't look like the original character than a bad actor who does.

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I'm trying to relate it back to a T.V. show, if Rosie Webster off coronation street stayed as a goth instead of a tart would they have changed the character because of the size of her buzzom? No, they wouldn't. They would wait until she quit from the role, and then they may have killed her off.

Looks shouldn't matter, afterall 'Drama' is acting etc, not how you look.

That's showbiz I'm afraid. The thing with drama is that people need to look the part as well as acting it. Hair colour/eye colour/shoe size doesn't really matter but build and physique often does.

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Originally Posted by Inseriousity.

That's showbiz I'm afraid. The thing with drama is that people need to look the part as well as acting it. Hair colour/eye colour/shoe size doesn't really matter but build and physique often does.

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Hmm I suppose. I guess I'm not exactly a stocky type of guy that a gangster would be...still annoyed though -.-

Edit: 1k posts woo.

Have you told your teacher how you feel? It's no good ranting and raving if you haven't.

In all fairness, if you want to go into pro acting later on, the casting directors will be very picky. Everything has to match.. stuff like hair can be changed and dyed but they are very picky.

I think they had it in all schools tbh, certainly when I did drama, I was good, but shy and didn't really want to act properly cos I felt like a wierdo. But I regret doing that because maybe that could of got me somewhere. I didnt even take part in school plays when I was offered parts, but now I am completely different and love acting, even though I dont go to any drama clubs or anything. But yeh, not much you can do really. Maybe try talking to your teacher about it?

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Originally Posted by Describe

Have you told your teacher how you feel? It's no good ranting and raving if you haven't.

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Originally Posted by TanyaaTurner

In all fairness, if you want to go into pro acting later on, the casting directors will be very picky. Everything has to match.. stuff like hair can be changed and dyed but they are very picky.

I think they had it in all schools tbh, certainly when I did drama, I was good, but shy and didn't really want to act properly cos I felt like a wierdo. But I regret doing that because maybe that could of got me somewhere. I didnt even take part in school plays when I was offered parts, but now I am completely different and love acting, even though I dont go to any drama clubs or anything. But yeh, not much you can do really. Maybe try talking to your teacher about it?

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I told my teacher and he said he can't change anything now but will take it on board for next year...I hope he's not like the other teachers and say something to shut me up then not act on it...

and I'm not very interested in Professional Acting...I do it because I enjoy it, of course if I were to get offered a part in a film, then yes I would take it, but I'm not going to go to hundreds of auditions a year just to get a small part...I know it is picky in the real world, but surely when it's a school play, they want to display the acting ability of the school, not the similarity between students & famous actors? Lol.

I completely understand how you feel Rob and I can totally sympathize with you, but As Mike's said that's how the industry worked. If not and feelings were spared imagine how bad television and media in general would be :P

So you audition for a certain role but they then give you a "nerdy" type role?

I'd say if you bring this up with your teacher(s), parents and headmaster something will be done about it.

Well I was quite close with my drama teacher and she often told me that she picked the "gangster" type people, because the play would be more popular as in, more people will come to watch it because of the people that are in it. I can see her point I suppose, but then again, I dont think its fair.

Unlucky bud.

At my school you couldn't be in plays in year eleven - I used to enjoy being involved in the auditions lmao

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To those saying Drama isn't a 'real' GCSE - it counts to sixth form so?

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Originally Posted by HotelUser

I completely understand how you feel Rob and I can totally sympathize with you, but As Mike's said that's how the industry worked. If not and feelings were spared imagine how bad television and media in general would be :P

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I know, but this isn't West End, Broadway or anything, this is a school play and it's supposed to show of the talents of the students, not who is the closest celebrity look-a-like or what ever?

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Originally Posted by eoin247

So you audition for a certain role but they then give you a "nerdy" type role?

I'd say if you bring this up with your teacher(s), parents and headmaster something will be done about it.

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Yup pretty much. I went along to the auditions, did what I thought was a pretty good audition. My singing teacher listened and said it was strong, but I get given a crappy "nerdy" role.

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Originally Posted by TanyaaTurner

Well I was quite close with my drama teacher and she often told me that she picked the "gangster" type people, because the play would be more popular as in, more people will come to watch it because of the people that are in it. I can see her point I suppose, but then again, I dont think its fair.

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I can see where they would come from, but the guys who are playing the "gangsters" in this, aren't even that cool. The cool people don't bother to audition LOL.

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Originally Posted by Milestone

Unlucky bud.

At my school you couldn't be in plays in year eleven - I used to enjoy being involved in the auditions lmao

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To those saying Drama isn't a 'real' GCSE - it counts to sixth form so?

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Thanks, I've thought of quitting a few times, but I don't want to dissapoint my teacher because I know he sees potential in me, so why he didn't give me a better part I don't know. But I want to show dedication no matter how bad the part is ¬_¬

And yeah Drama IS a real GCSE - it's more "real" than business studies/Film studies/media studies lol.

Rob, of course it's about talent too but unfortunately the acting industry isn't always one where a spectrum of talent can be presented. Some parts are more important than others and, of course, they have to select the individuals who look best for the role. I could be the best actor in the world but unfortunately I'm just not the right guy to act out a 50 year old woman in a play, for instance :P

Not sure how film and media studies can be compared to business? :P

I didn't take Business studies, but that's only because I do not need to have a GCSE in it to do it in Sixth Form.

EDIT: Huge example. Daniel Radcliffe. He isn't the best actor ever, but he was picked because he fitted what they wanted and vision'd him as - not just because he was the best actor there - he probably wasn't.

As far as I was aware, actors are chosen more on appearance than acting style. I mean, look at Daniel Radcliff, a lousy actor at the best of times but he pulls off the Harry Potter look quite well. Afterall, if you need someone with braces and/or glasses, you'll find someone who fits the bill perfectly. It's a harsh fact of life really :P

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Originally Posted by Milestone

Not sure how film and media studies can be compared to business? :P

I didn't take Business studies, but that's only because I do not need to have a GCSE in it to do it in Sixth Form.

EDIT: Huge example. Daniel Radcliffe. He isn't the best actor ever, but he was picked because he fitted what they wanted and vision'd him as - not just because he was the best actor there - he probably wasn't.

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I suppose that's true. And to some extent I'd agree with what they did there. But as I've said, school is different. Obviously you can't have a girl playing a boys part and vice versa (although for some reason my primary school did that...) but I think especially with the parts like "crap shooter" which is a type of chorus, but they have a lot of scenes, it should not be what they look like - you can make anyone look like a 30's gangster given the right clothing - but it should be their acting ability.

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Originally Posted by HotelUser

Rob, of course it's about talent too but unfortunately the acting industry isn't always one where a spectrum of talent can be presented. Some parts are more important than others and, of course, they have to select the individuals who look best for the role. I could be the best actor in the world but unfortunately I'm just not the right guy to act out a 50 year old woman in a play, for instance :P

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You did mention how it shouldn't be chosen on "attitude" as well. Attitude has a lot to do with it, dedications a real issue for school productions and whilst the "gangsters" etc might not be the best actors like yourself who excels in Drama, their attitude and dedication can often be very good during school productions from my experiences so perhaps that's why they're picked. I'm not doubting you wouldn't be as dedicated as them or have the right attitude, but seeing as they're louder people it'll rub off a bit more and they'll be noticed.

Saying that though, I got the main role in Year 7 and one of the better ones in Year 8 productions at school and I don't see myself as a gangster :P

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Originally Posted by Jordy

You did mention how it shouldn't be chosen on "attitude" as well. Attitude has a lot to do with it, dedications a real issue for school productions and whilst the "gangsters" etc might not be the best actors like yourself who excels in Drama, their attitude and dedication can often be very good during school productions from my experiences so perhaps that's why they're picked. I'm not doubting you wouldn't be as dedicated as them or have the right attitude, but seeing as they're louder people it'll rub off a bit more and they'll be noticed.

Saying that though, I got the main role in Year 7 and one of the better ones in Year 8 productions at school and I don't see myself as a gangster :P

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Lol, that's true I suppose. hence why I want to stay in this because I want to show I'm dedicated even though I have a bad part.

And obviously it's worked in the past because I got Hamlet & The White Rabbit - but then there aren't really stereotyped groups in either of those plays - they're are just single characters.

I've only ever auditioned for one production and I got a rather decent part- yup people who know me, now you've heard everything! The angry God of the Gods when I was in Year 9 (who only lasted for a bit of the play but that's besides of the point) and I think that explains one important factor already. I'm not the easiest person to impress and I don't have the best temper either so attitude does indeed have a lot to do with it. Another thing is that I would say I'm incredibly hard working- to be hard working you need to be dedicated, definitely not saying you're not but like the above posts say, a lot of people who you wouldn't expect to do something like this will actually be dedicated. I think these are the main two factors and it's just rather unfortunate. :(