Auditions!
NEXT AUDITIONS ARE IN FEBRUARY 2024 for Spring Play '24 - scheduled for May 2 and May 4, 2024, with a trip to and special performance at the METG Middle School Drama Festival on Sunday, May 5!
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DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM ON A PHONE. It won't go well.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday are the days that are typically available to us to hold rehearsals - rehearsals would run from when school ends until 5 to 10 minutes before the late bus departs, so about 4:10 PM.
Students auditioning need to be available on a regular basis for three out of four of those days- so if they have a tutoring session every Thursday, for example… but we must also stress that kids don’t get to pick a “day off“ - which a few have tried to do over the years! (If they are available for all four days most weeks, that is even better!) It’s important to note that each student won’t necessarily be called for all of those days- we just need as many options as possible to optimize the schedule.
We collect all student conflicts at the time of auditions, and we publish the full rehearsal schedule as soon as we can, so that people can make other appointments and plans for the days they don’t have rehearsal scheduled.
About three weeks out from the show, we shift to full company rehearsals every one of those days, typically running until 5:30 PM from that point on. Two weeks before the show, we ask everyone to minimize all conflicts. One full week before opening night (typically from the Friday prior-Thursday opening night ), there can be absolutely no conflicts whatsoever.
We will also add one (or two) rehearsals on the Wednesdays in those last few weeks, which is the day that is normally reserved for teacher meetings. We also have one or two of the rehearsals that last week go through dinner time and have a pizza dinner for the company, but we don’t know if that will be an option for us this year.
During rehearsals, each student has a little assigned cubbyhole in a big wooden box to put their phone in, so that if needed, they can go over and communicate with home, but the phones won’t be backstage or out in the seats causing a distraction (or even a privacy issue.)
Please contact daydrama@newton.k12.ma.us with programming questions.
Here is an important resource I've created to help families work together as we go through the audition process: Auditions and Growth Mindset
The Audition Process & Growth Mindset
I know that this is a lengthy letter, but please bear with me and read all of the way through. I think it is helpful, and, dare I say, essential reading for all families to support their students through any audition process.
Thank you for your patience during this process - we take the time to do it right, while being as efficient as possible.
When your student signed up for auditions, they were greeted with an essay from me about my general thoughts on the process of auditioning for a show and responding to the casting information. I’d like to connect with you so we may work together to support your child through what can be a tense, emotional experience for many of them.
As a faculty, we have explored the idea of "growth mindset" (as opposed to "fixed mindset") based on the work of Carol Dweck, Ph.D. Since producing and directing shows is a direct extension of my drama classroom and curriculum, I know that applying the idea of growth mindset to the audition process is critical to encourage all student-actors to grow and learn from the entire experience.
Informally, I polled my students about what kinds of “fixed mindset” responses a student might have to casting information that didn’t make their dreams come true, as it were. These were some of their responses:
“Mrs. McGettrick hates me!”
“I can’t act/sing/dance. I stink.”
“Of course so-and-so got the part. They’re so much better at this.”
“Of course so-and-so got the part. Mrs. McGettrick must like them better.”
“Of course so-and-so got the part. They had a solo last show.”
“I quit!”
“I hate her!”
“I’m a seventh grader, of COURSE I didn’t get it.”
“I’m an eighth grader, I SHOULD have got it.”
“I hate the kid who got MY part.”
“I am never acting again.”
“The casting is so unfair!”
“I got a bad part!”
“I’m just in the background.”
“All I am is……”
“I only have ____ lines.”
(I have to say that the students had WAY too much fun coming up with this list.)
It's also important to note that anyone dealing with some disappointment might seem okay in family conversation, but turn to social media to "vent." I cannot stress enough how inappropriate that is, especially given how quickly those tweets or posts can escalate into a wave of negativity or bullying behavior.
All of the above “fixed mindset” statements are completely inaccurate - but moreover, they do not help a student move forward in a positive path as an actor or as a student.
The reality of theatre is that even when you are a seasoned performer, you don’t always get cast in the role you want. A core concept of “growth mindset” is that with constant, diligent effort and hard work, all learners can see improvement in their skill set and knowledge. This does not mean that an actor “didn’t work hard enough” if they are not cast in the role of their choice - rather, they have to learn from the experience and continue working and growing as a performer so that when the right opportunity/moment/situation comes along, they are ready.
“So, how do I help my child work through this?” you might be asking.
Here are some suggestions for starting conversations with your student-actor, regardless of their jubilance or initial disappointment, using a “growth mindset.” These type of questions will encourage your child to move forward and keep learning.
What do you already know about the role(s) that you are cast in?
What do you want to learn about the role(s)?
What ideas do you have for how to bring your character(s) to life?
What do you think your role contributes to this story?
What do you think you will do differently or the same to prepare for your next audition?
What do you think will be the best part of the role you will be playing?
If your student is really struggling with working through being disappointed in their casting, I cannot recommend strongly enough that you encourage them to stick with the process and work on the show. While they might be disappointed or even upset, allowing them to “quit” would be a setback in their learning process as an actor. That said, if your child truly feels they cannot continue with the show, please refer them to me to be a part of the discussion. It’s important that we connect!
I pride myself on casting all actors in roles that will show off what they can do, as well as challenge them to grow as performers. I also encourage all auditioners to seek feedback from the directors about their audition, but not about why specific casting choices were made. It’s a core part of my role to help everyone learn to put their best foot forward when auditioning for me or for anyone else.
Thank you for your continued support! I can’t wait for rehearsals to start.
Sincerely,
Jessica McGettrick, Day Drama