Directing vs. Acting

I'm taking a self-imposed break from most things theatrical for a while until I can get my wedding planning off the ground. Right now, all I've got on my plate is directing Willy Wonka, Jr. at CDS and a Tuesday night acting class I'm getting ready to start teaching elsewhere.

I got to thinking about the kids in Willy Wonka. I'm really impressed by the talent that was shown when they auditioned, and they've been just about as professional as middle schoolers can be expected to be. There are two kids in particular that I was thinking about today; both of them phenomenally talented for their age, and sadly, both of them a little unhappy with their roles.

At least, I THINK they're a little unhappy. For the most part, they're very good sports, but I can tell every now and then that they don't quite understand why they weren't given what they consider "better" parts. The thing is, the reason they have the parts they were cast in is BECAUSE they're so talented. Even though I've tried to reiterate to them that their roles are two of the most challenging in the show (vocally and otherwise), I really think that THEY think I'm just saying that to be encouraging. And I'm not. I really mean it. They were perfect for the roles because I just couldn't see any other kids handling the specific vocality that's required. The roles I cast them in are really and truly two of my favorite characters in the show, and these kids are pulling it off beautifully.

And it got me to thinking...sometimes I wish all actors knew what directors take into consideration when casting a show. Because I've been there, too. Sometimes, as actors...we get parts and we think, "But I KNOW I deserve a better role. I KNOW I totally rocked that audition...and quite frankly, I know I'm better than such-and-such actor who got the lead." Don't deny it; you all know it's true. We've all had those thoughts. It's INCREDIBLY hard to imagine that maybe, just maybe, you got the part you got BECAUSE you're talented and no one else could handle the character role. Let's face it; it's fairly easy to play a lead most of the time. That doesn't mean we don't all want them at some point or another, but leads are typically not the most challenging roles. It's the comic character parts with the funny accents that are the most difficult to pull off successfully.

I just wish I could let these kids know that they really, REALLY are talented and that's why they got the parts they did. I know it wouldn't really help, because that kind of stuff only makes sense when you've been on the other side. If a director had told me five years ago that they cast me in what I considered a crap role because I was talented, not because I sucked...I probably wouldn't have believed them. It might have made me feel a little bit better, but not much.

Oh well. Maybe they'll both grow up and become directors and understand what I was doing. Until then...it's snowy, and cold, and I'm very disappointed that Montford apparently decided not to have a 12th Night party this January. David, if you're reading this, we should totally throw a guerrilla 12th Night celebration after the board meeting next weekend. Except by the time it's over, we will be clawing at the door to get out of that green room.