I want to preface this blog by saying that hopefully the experience I just had is NOT the norm when casting shows where “older actors” make up the entire cast.
With that said…since I’ve turned 60 years of age – which was 15 years ago -- I have continually heard actors my age complain about there being no roles for actors our age.
Have to say, I was astounded by the underwhelming response to a casting notice I posted in Las Vegas for a show I have written, that requires a “senior” cast.
I posted in all the appropriate casting call sights for older actors a month in front of the audition dates. Offered sending scripts to those who might be interested so they could become familiar with the content Even contacted so called “senior” theater groups directly – no response. After all was said and done, only one actor showed up that was age appropriate. Of the six actors I cast, only one was age appropriate.
Kudos to the talents of the other five actors I cast for being 15 to 20 years younger, and making the audience forget they were 15 to 20 years younger.
Holding auditions for the workshops of the show I’m doing in Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, the turnout was even more underwhelming.
And before you ask: Yes, I keep rehearsals to a minimum, AND…I pay a good stipend. I never expect actors of any age to work for nothing.
Because the show is a musical, or you could say a play with music, I got inquiries about genre/style of song(s) they should prepare. When I answered those inquiries, saying I wanted to hear a specific song, because of the style of one of the songs in the show. The response I got was, “But, I don’t know that song. Can’t I sing (another song, not even close to the style of song we needed to hear)…?”
Side bar, here. My computer literacy – or EXTREME lack of – is well known to all who know me; but even I know how to “google” a song title and the artist who sings it.
I would have expected that kind of response from a young actor, but an actor who is an alleged adult, and old enough to know better?
For the Las Vegas workshop: two of the six actors are age appropriate.
In closing…to all of we “senior” age actors. Excuse the sports metaphor, but when given the opportunity to step up to the plate. And we can’t or don’t want to do it. Quit griping and whining if no one wants to give us a bat.
Flaming begins in 5…4…3…2…
Loren
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