Lies.

[Linksquest]

Well... i am really mad right now. That is because, esentially, i tried out for the play, and the director said i would get a big part, then today when we read our parts, i found out i had one of the smallest parts in the whole play... i'm dropping out of the play and i am furious!!!

Has anything like this ever happened to you?

[steelbeliever]

first of all...you shouldn't give up...you need to keep going because maybe you can prove to whoever's runnin this thing that you really do deserve a bigger part...secondly...yes, something similar has happened to me but in sports...i played on an all-guys hockey team a few eyars back and the coach didn't play me at all because he thought i couldn't do it...i didn't drop-out though...i played one game as goalie and made and most aggressive (that's a good thing in hockey! ^_^)...what i'm trying to say is that you have to keep trying...i know it makes you made but you can't give up...

[Yumie]

Ugh, I hate when stuff like that happens. I mean, if the director wasn't going to give you a big part, why didn't he/she just come right out and say it? It doesn't make any sense. Well, hopefully next time the director will get a brain and give you reasonable expectations about it!

[Slater]

it's for this reason that my drama teacher would have us write an oath of allegiance to the director's command before she even considered which parts would go to who. One year someone tried to drop out of the play for similar reasons and we were all furious at him. needless to say, he wasn't allowed to quit.

[Scribs]

Come Now! So the director said you would get a big part. You didnt get it. Big flippen deal! Are you going to quit just because you got a smaller part than you wanted? That is a very selfish thing. It is fitting into one of the more negative steriotypes of actors. You are depriving the show of your tallents, and therefor depriving the audience of them. A good play needs excellent actors for all the parts or it is not as good as it could be. Quite often you dont even realise how big a part is until you get into the rehearsals. I am currently rehearsing for the tempest. I have the smallest part in the play. I walk on say 2 lines and leave. Thats it. In the last play I was in, I had the lead. I sang at least 5 solos, and every other line of dialogue was mine. That is quite a bit more than I have now. Do I mind? No. Drama, if you are to enjoy it must be done without caring how large your part is. As someone once said, there are no small parts, just small actors.

If you have not yet quit, I urge you not to. If you have, I suggest that you go back to the director and tell him that you made a mistake, and appologise. Directors hate people quitting for petty reasons. It doesnt reflect kindly on you, and it ruins your chances to get further roles.

Sorry if that was a little rough in tone, but I think you are making a mistake.

-A fellow actor,
Scribs

[Hitokiri]

I agree...dropping out just because of that is a bad idea.

If you are willing to drop out, then you didnt really want to do the play in the first place. And maybe by doing such a great performance, you can blow the head of the leader who gave you that small role. Being so surprised by your energy was well as grace and understand, he/she may reconsider when the next play comes along and promote you to a larger role.

[starfire]

Well... i am really mad right now. That is because, esentially, i tried out for the play, and the director said i would get a big part, then today when we read our parts, i found out i had one of the smallest parts in the whole play... i'm dropping out of the play and i am furious!!!

Has anything like this ever happened to you?

Yes, I have been lied to more times than I care to admit. The funny thing about lying is that it never really makes you mad until you find out that it's not true. It's because, in however small a way, your own little reality has come crashing down around you. It can be unsettling, but I would encourage you to not be bitter about it. Trust me, it makes things worse. You may be angry now, but I agree, try to perform whatever role that you did get as though you're performing it unto God, and maybe next time you'll get that role. I hope God grants you peace about it.

[Eriana]

I would go back, play the part and feel good about it. The least you can do is do this for yourself. You don't have to appreciate the actors/actresses that are working along side of you, and you don't have to appreciate the director's move but please go and do your best for God, yourself, friends and family. I'm sure God doesn't want you to give up on yourself and this play so quickly. Sometimes a smaller role is more noted then the bigger or leading role. You never know, you may get more applauding then the main actor does at the end. Even if you don't, please do not be discouraged or ashamed, I'm sure you will be great no matter what role you are given. Someone could walk out on the middle of the stage dressed as a huge toilet paper roll but it doesn't neccessarily make that person the underdog. I think you should give it your best shot, chances are you will be prouder of yourself and so will everyone else if you just go through with this.

[Mangafanatic]

As one who's done some drama with theatre groups, churches, ect, let me just suggest that you take the part. Aside from the fact that I would want you to do it because you had made a commitment and we're supposed to do all things to the glory of God, I bet you could learn a lot even in this small role. Furthermore, when you're not on stage, it would be a great chance to help with stage crew.

Lastly, please, consider everyone else in the play. What would happen if every person who didn't get a massive part dropped out? There would be no play. I'm not saying that you haven't been treated unfairly. You have. The teacher should have been up front and honest with you. But the only thing that you can do is a) tell the teacher how you feel and b)do what you intended to do-- act.

[Linksquest]

Ok. Let me clarify some things here. I am part of many things at my school. I am part of an after school choir, i am part of a men's acapella group after school, and i am the Editor in chief for my school's literary magazine. I also am in AP english and we are currently reading 3 books at the same time. Keeping up with all of my other classes is also insane.

I really don't have the time to put my energy into something which was not something that i expected. My teacher allowed me to accept the part on false pretenses. She said "There are no large parts in this play... more medium parts." Well... she didn't even give me a medium part... out of 30 actors... there are prolyl 2 people who have as much or less lines than i do...

My parents also don't want me to waste my time on this. I do understand how the other actors could feel, but honestly, many of them are my friends, and know how our drama teacher is: Very mean somtimes.

Because it is such early notice, she should be able to get someone else for the part. Again, my parents are making me do this... i would go through with it... but they don't want me to.

[Scribs]

Ok. Let me clarify some things here. I am part of many things at my school. I am part of an after school choir, i am part of a men's acapella group after school, and i am the Editor in chief for my school's literary magazine. I also am in AP english and we are currently reading 3 books at the same time. Keeping up with all of my other classes is also insane.

I really don't have the time to put my energy into something which was not something that i expected. My teacher allowed me to accept the part on false pretenses. She said "There are no large parts in this play... more medium parts." Well... she didn't even give me a medium part... out of 30 actors... there are prolyl 2 people who have as much or less lines than i do...

My parents also don't want me to waste my time on this. I do understand how the other actors could feel, but honestly, many of them are my friends, and know how our drama teacher is: Very mean somtimes.

Because it is such early notice, she should be able to get someone else for the part. Again, my parents are making me do this... i would go through with it... but they don't want me to.

That makes no difference! If you are so busy, why the heck were you trying out for the playin the first place! If anything, you ought to be glad you got a small part! With an attitude like the one you seem to have, I am suprised that you got any part. The drama teacher has every right to be annoyed, or even angry at you. When you audition for a play, you are aknowleging that you will take whatever part is offered to you, be it big or small. You really ought to think about who is being unfair in this situation. I will give you a hint, It isnt the director.

Again, Sorry for the rough tone, but you asked our opinion and this is mine. I think you have some reevaluting to do.

-Scribs

[Linksquest]

When you audition for a play, you are aknowleging that you will take whatever part is offered to you, be it big or small.

That is NOT true. With our auditioning... she gives us a sheet, and you circle what you want: a small part, a medium part, or a large part, or any. if you circle large, that means that you only want a large part. If you cirlce Large AND ANY, that means that you want a large part... but if you don't get a large part... you will be happy just to be in the play. I circled only large... which meant i would only want a large part in the play... and if i didnt get one... i didnt want to be in the play. My teacher afterward, said "John, i saw that you circled 'large.' There are no large parts... more medium parts. I mean, you won't be speaking ever second." I said, "Ok... i don't have to be speaking every second." The thing is... there ARE large parts... and my part that i got was one of the smallest in the entire play. There were 3 guys that tried out. She made guy parts, that would be better played by guys.. into girl parts...

So yea... if she didn't want to give me a large part, she wasn't SUPPOSED to give me a small part... She wasn't supposed to give me any part if that was her intention. that is what HER policy is, not mine. She went against her own policy.

[starfire]

I think its important to remember that teachers are only human. They have bad days, good days, and some can just be mean. And if your teacher is not a Christian, maybe you can take this opportunity to witness to them by handling it in a Christ like way. If it upsets you that much and its not a big deal, perhaps you shouldn't do the play. On the other hand, it can never hurt to pray over your decisions. Whenever I drop out of things that I didn't pray about, I almost always feel a sense of dissatisfaction. Either way, maybe you can look on it all as a learning experience. You didn't get the part you wanted and your teacher wasn't very understanding...There's nothing now that you can do to change that. You can only do what you feel God is calling you to do and move on. I hope you receive closure in this.

[Linksquest]

Yea... already i am seeing opportunities to do things i wouldn't have been able to do if i had been in the play... maybe this is a God thing after all. ^^

[starfire]

Good for you! I'm glad that God has given you this opportunity. Despite the circumstances, I think its great that you can take a step back and look at the big picture of God's plan. I know he'll bless you for it.

[Sonic_13]

It happened to my sister. She went, sang beautifully, totally shocked the drama director. then it turns out shes nothing but a mere "prop." she doesnt even have any lines, she sits in one spot, waits for the lights to dim and runs out and cleans the stage and goes back when the lights to turn on.

I feel so bad for her, but being the optomistic person she is she's sticking with it and is going to do her very best. I gotta admit, my sister surprises me sometimes!

[termyt]

I think quitting the play because you didn't get the part you expected justifies the director's decision. It shows a lack of commitment (and a sizeable ego) on your part. If you have so much to do already, why did you try out in the first place?

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, I'm no thespian, so maybe I'm off base. Just my observation. I'm sorry you didn't get the part you wanted.

[Linksquest]

NO... the point is... I WOULD have the time for a part that i tried out for: A large role... which i indicated, and according to HER policy... would have to give me a large part, or no part. She gave me a part, and it was not a large one... SHE went agaist her own policy. I DO NOT have the time to give to a part that i didnt want. I tried out for a large part... not any part... there is a difference.

[Scribs]

NO... the point is... I WOULD have the time for a part that i tried out for: A large role... which i indicated, and according to HER policy... would have to give me a large part, or no part. She gave me a part, and it was not a large one... SHE went agaist her own policy. I DO NOT have the time to give to a part that i didnt want. I tried out for a large part... not any part... there is a diffrence.

The above quote sounds a bit too much like a temper tantrum. You are simply whining at this point. As a christian we should do everything to the glory of God. Even if it is a small part in a show. But there is obviously no reasoning with you on this point. Perhaps at some point you will grow up and stop whining when you dont get what you are anticipating.

Sorry I was rude, but I think that this is something that needed to be said, and the clearest way to get it across was to be blunt. I do not plan to continue responding to this thread, because I have said the same tihng several times now and have gotten the same response. It is obviously going no where.

hoping you will snap out of it,
Scribs

[Linksquest]

The above quote sounds a bit too much like a temper tantrum. You are simply whining at this point. As a christian we should do everything to the glory of God. Even if it is a small part in a show. But there is obviously no reasoning with you on this point. Perhaps at some point you will grow up and stop whining when you dont get what you are anticipating.

Sorry I was rude, but I think that this is something that needed to be said, and the clearest way to get it across was to be blunt. I do not plan to continue responding to this thread, because I have said the same tihng several times now and have gotten the same response. It is obviously going no where.

hoping you will snap out of it,
Scribs

Ok. Let's put it this way: If you tried out at a job agency to be a policeman... and only a policeman... and they gave you the job of a fireman... you would still be a fireman... something you didn't want to be?

You told me to "snap out of it." Well, i did NOTHING wrong in this situation. Tell me exactly of what i am supposed to "snap out." If it is my attitude to which you ar reffering, i think i responded justly. I did not accost her, or say anything to her in fact. I did write her a letter tnt, which i will put in her teacher box tomorrow:
[I]
Mrs. [Anonymous],

As I indicated to you on the form prior to the audition, I was only interested in a large role in the fall play. You verbally told me there were “no large parts,â€

[Scribs]

Well here I am, responding again.

Ok. Let's put it this way: If you tried out at a job agency to be a policeman... and only a policeman... and they gave you the job of a fireman... you would still be a fireman... something you didn't want to be?

This is not a valid analogy. fireman and police man are absolutes. Big and small are matters of opinion. I will leave it at that.

[quote]Mrs. [Anonymous],

As I indicated to you on the form prior to the audition, I was only interested in a large role in the fall play. You verbally told me there were “no large parts,â€

[Linksquest]

Well here I am, responding again.


This is not a valid analogy. fireman and police man are absolutes. Big and small are matters of opinion. I will leave it at that.

There is some validity in what you say... to a point. Comparing a part with 100 lines to a part with 1 line... i think it's pretty obvious which one is big, and which one is small... there is no opinion on that... there is fact.

[Scribs]

Your director coud have a very vague opinion of the term "medium sized part" I think that this is a case of miscomunication, not outright lies. I understand where you are coming from, but if you decide not to take the part, you are going to be the one who comes out of this looking unreasonable, not her. That is my take on it. Once again.

[Nate]

I do not have the necessary time this year to devote to a very small role

This is what I don't understand. How did you have the time to devote to a large role, but not a small role? It would make sense if you tried out for a small role and were given a large role, because you may not have time, but it doesn't quite work in the reverse.

Well, all I can do at this point is echo everyone else that says you are being childish by refusing to be in the play, so, I will depart now.

[Linksquest]

This is what I don't understand. How did you have the time to devote to a large role, but not a small role? It would make sense if you tried out for a small role and were given a large role, because you may not have time, but it doesn't quite work in the reverse.

Well, all I can do at this point is echo everyone else that says you are being childish by refusing to be in the play, so, I will depart now.

I have time to do something i agreed to do, Something i expected to do... i don't have time to waste on things i did not agree to do. Who wants to waste time on things they didn't agree to do?

[Scribs]

i don't have time to waste on things i did not agree to do.

Herein lies the whole problem. It appears that you consider anything below a large role to be a waste of time. It looks like you think it is beneath you. This may not be true, but that is how it looks. I therefor would appear to your director that you have a huge ego. I have a question. have you ever acted for this director befor? If so how big a part? I just want to have a better understanding of the situation.

[yukinon]

To be concise: If you commit, you commit. I very seldom get the parts I want. But I have a good time and do a fairly good job with the parts I do get and usually end up loving it. Most parts are what you make of them, regardless of the amount of lines. I was in a play last year that was miserable because the director was very 'postmodern'. It was exhausting, but I stuck it out and learned from my mistake. I don't audition for her plays anymore. But I did follow through on my commitment and as a result she and I are still on good terms.

[Nate]

TBut I did follow through on my commitment and as a result she and I are still on good terms.

Right. Whether you like it or not, this is going to tarnish your reputation if you don't commit to the play. Your drama teacher is going to say to anyone else, "Oh, that (insert Linksquest's real name here), if you don't give him exactly what he wants, he throws a temper tantrum. It's not worth it to work with him." Then you won't be considered for any future roles.

Is this really what you want?

[Linksquest]

Herein lies the whole problem. It appears that you consider anything below a large role to be a waste of time. It looks like you think it is beneath you. This may not be true, but that is how it looks. I therefor would appear to your director that you have a huge ego. I have a question. have you ever acted for this director befor? If so how big a part? I just want to have a better understanding of the situation.

Last year, i was a butler in the fall play THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST. it was a really small part, but i did very well at it, and made the part more than it was. People told me I made it the funniest part in the play. In teh spring, i was in GUYS and DOLLS, and i was ARVIDE, teh leads grandfather. It was a medium role, and i had a solo to sing. People said i stole the show.

This fall i tried out to have a large part, or no part. She told us to be clear in what we wanted to prevent people's feelings to being hurt. The only thing that i did "commit" to was that i wanted a LARGE part ONLY. Nothing else. That or not be in the play at all. She knew that. She told me their were no large parts (which was a lie) and that their were only medium-ish parts. .... She didn't even give me a medium part. I have less lines than people who have onlu a monologue. I am practically the most minor character.

Sure, i feel obligated, though i shouldnt (cause i only agreed to be a large part.. this is not Ego, this is common sense and this is being honest) have to fell this way. My parents told me not to do it and withdraw from the play, because this drama teacher has basically run over me before and has taken advantage of the fact that i don't stand up for myself.

I am very frustrated. I am very Depressed. You guys aren't supporting me, or helping me with this... you are making this worse, and harder for me, as The choice is no longer in my hands, but in the hands of my parents.

[starfire]

It's none of my business, but it would seem to me that Linksquest has made his decision. We should all be respectful of that, regardless of what we ourselves would or wouldn't to. Arguing in circles is pointless and will solve nothing.
He obviously feels that he's been treated unfairly. We should listen to him and offer constructive advice that will build up, not tear down. So, for my part, Link, I think that you should do whatever you feel that the Lord is calling you to do. If you decide to do the play, you may or may not find it rewarding. That depends on you. However, I can't judge you for quitting. I've given up on far too many things myself. It's not something that I'm proud of, rather something that I've learned from. So, as a sister and servant in Christ, I support you no matter what you choose. And, I know that I sound like a broken record, but I would encourage you to humble yourself before God and to ask his guidance.