Clang Clang Clang Went the Trolley, Ring Ring Ring Went The Cash Register.

[fancycwabs]

One of the local theater groups (a "family-friendly" theater, whose primary supporter is the one who criticized "all the swearing" in Taming of the Shrew) is holding a $25 audition workshop with the director, choreographer, and musical director for their upcoming production of Meet Me In St. Louis--the unspoken promise being that if you pay them $25 it increases your odds of getting a decent part.

I've never auditioned with these schmucks, because of the aforementioned censorship and the fact that it's pretty long haul from home, but charging twenty-five bucks to be in a show (which in turn will charge $20 a ticket, most likely) pretty much guarantees that I won't be darkening their door anytime soon.

The audition notice for the show states that Esther Smith (the Judy Garland role) has been precast. I wonder how much she paid?

Comments

[spatch]

That's a pretty lame and sneaky way of generating revenue. If you're strapped for cash so bad you're charging folks to audition With Benefits...

Jeesh.

[fancycwabs.livejournal.com]

The sad part is that due to some pretty deep pockets among sponsors (who already kinda pay to get their kids in shows), this particular theater is one of the most financially secure in town.

[resk.livejournal.com]

There's a theatre troupe in our area that charges $25 in dues per year. I was in a show of theirs a year and a half ago. Haven't been back. Never felt right about it.

[fancycwabs.livejournal.com]

One of the theatres that I've done quite a bit of work for charges completely optional and voluntary membership dues (which gets you show tickets and voting privileges at meetings, etc), but I've never paid them, and it's never been an impediment to being in their shows. I'm cool with that arrangement--but saying that $25 (and attending the "audition workshop") gets you preferred treatment at auditions is a crock of shit buried for several months in the back yard then dug up and allowed to perfume the living room.

I'm posting here only in order to keep my mighty powers of snark away from the Memphis theatrical community at large.

[resk.livejournal.com]

but saying that $25 (and attending the "audition workshop") gets you preferred treatment at auditions

Whoa. Did they actually SAY that, or was it just heavily IMPLIED?

[fancycwabs.livejournal.com]

Just heavily implied. Here's a direct quote:

This is your chance to spend four hours with the director, choreographer, and the vocal director, polishing your auditioning skills and learning how to best present yourself to be seen and remembered at an audition. To register, you can go to REDACTED and click on the auditions page. You can pay by credit card from that site, or you can fill out the registration form and bring a check or cash to the workshop on Saturday.

Auditions for Meet In St Louis are scheduled:
Adults Friday, November 16th, 6 p.m.
Children Saturday, November 17th, 9 a.m.
Attendance at the workshop does not guarantee a part.

HOWEVER, if it were an actual workshop and not a moneygrab, wouldn't you think that somewhere they'd mention the names and curricula vitae of said director, choreographer, and musical director? I don't care to learn how to audition from someone with less experience or skill than I have.

[resk.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there oughtta be some kind of credentials listed for the panel.

I hate stuff like this. You just KNOW that there will be some people with very little talent who are duped.