Summer vacation is here, and right
now thoughts of back to school may be far and away. However, it’s not too early
to be thinking about next year’s musical. Yes, next year’s musical.
Many schools announce the following
year’s production at the end of the school year, so you might already know what
your musical will be. Other schools don’t announce until early or late fall.
Still it is not too early to plan for that special role.
Whether you know your musical, or not,
this blog is about getting you to reach outside your comfort zone and maybe try
for that very different role. A role that is so unlike anything you’ve ever
done.
An example. I once tried out for a production
of “Grease”. Instead of the Sandy or Frenchy role, I wanted to try out for
Rizzo. Yes, she was totally different from me, the quiet little shy high school
student, but I have to tell you I had more fun preparing for that audition, and
more fun trying out for that role. I didn’t get the part, but I did get the
part of Cha-cha, and that was another fun and different role and I had a blast
playing that part.
Over the years I branched out to
community theater and played such fun roles as Agnes in Gypsy and Agnes Gooch in Mame,
all because I took that Rizzo chance. Never, ever would have done it if I didn’t
say, “What the heck, I’ll give it a try.”
So, here are some suggestions guys
and gals. Doing a production of the Sound
of Music? Go for the Baroness instead of Maria. Other great fun female roles
Ermengarde in Hello Dolly, Miss
Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Eulalie Shinn, the Mayor’s wife in
The Music Man or Bloody Mary in South Pacific.
Horace Vandergelder in Dolly is a fun role with a great comedic
reach. Les Mis? How about Javert or
the innkeeper Thenardier. I’ve seen many young actors bring down the house with
that one. Doing Disney? There’s the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, or another fun role, Shrek. I also love The King in the King and I. What a
stretch that is.
If you see a part, and it looks
like fun, or you get that little nudge that says “this might be fun to play”, run
with it. Watch the musical. Study the character, and listen to the soundtrack. Note,
make sure to study high school versions of the show on You Tube. Movie adaptations
are ok, but they don’t always follow the stage script.
Now, decide what YOU can bring to this
character. I guarantee you’ll have fun exploring, and if you don’t get the part,
you will still show your director that you can reach inside and tackle any
part. Who knows? You just might get that quirky lead or supporting role.
So high school musical peeps, start
prepping!
