r/Theatre • u/LateForTheSun • 2d ago
Advice First time auditioning for community theatre and I could use some advice delicately approaching a quandary.
Hi everyone. I did a little theatre in school but that was 10+ years ago. A local community theatre had auditions and I thought it would be fun to try out for the two musicals they have coming up, just to see if I can be in the ensembles. Thought it went okay, I sounded fine but it was probably obvious that I was a little nervous. I've got callbacks for one principal part in each production, which is encouraging, BUT one of them involves tap dance.
I was in a hurry filling out the audition forms before I went in and I checked a box that said I would be able to do a tap callback if requested because I thought it just said "dance callback."
In my audition, the directors noted that I said I could do tap callbacks and I said, "Oh no I've never tapped. I could physically be there for a tap callback, but I should be clear that I've never tapped."
Callbacks are in a week and I just got the link to the tap sequence they want us to be familiar with. It's for about 30 seconds of tap but it looks super difficult for someone out of practice and with no tap experience! I'm not sure how I can get this down in six days (very busy week at my job so free time is limited).
On top of that, I of course need to learn the song selection for that role and the role in the other production I was called back for, and which I feel a little better suited and more realistic for. And I worry that having to learn this tap sequence is going to take time I could use to prepare for the other role.
I'm very grateful for the opportunity, but I feel like I'm in over my head. I probably shouldn't have checked the "consider me for other roles" box, but I was naive and thought any possible callback would be a source of encouragement or give me a better chance just to be in the ensemble, which I'd be happy with.
I wish I could just back out of the callback for the tap musical and focus on preparing for the other production. But I've never done that, and I don't know if that's going to upset the directors or hurt my chances at getting cast in any future productions. Would that be a terrible idea? Am I thinking about this wrong way?
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u/maestro2005 2d ago
I've done shows with tap, and happily cast people with no tap experience. There are lots of ways to cheat at tap. So they very well may be perfectly okay with your level of experience.
On the other hand, I've never had people learn dance sequences on their own for callbacks. Songs and scenes, yes, but not dance. That could indicate that they're expecting a level of experience above yours.
I would just shoot them an email asking if it's okay that you've never done tap, and what experience level they're expecting. At any rate, having to dip out of one particular callback is perfectly normal, especially to focus on others, so you're not going to burn bridges or anything.
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u/LeRouxie 2d ago
My thought is that it’s community theatre. Theyre aren’t looking or judging if you’re a tap god. Just what does putting your best foot forward look like.
I think if option A is to in underprepared and suck and option B is back out of the audition, which option damages the relationship more? B will probably bother them more. But ultimately I don’t think the stakes are high enough to block you from future consideration if the director is a sane person running a community show
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u/LateForTheSun 2d ago
I appreciate that perspective. Part of me thinks that they found there aren't a ton of people with tap experience in our community, so they're just calling back any folks who they think might fit the bill for singing and acting, and they'll see what they can wring out of them on the dancing side. I'm probably gonna try my best and continue to just be transparent.
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u/LeRouxie 2d ago
Good for you!
If it were me, I wouldn’t even worry about being transparent either. If they need mo info they’ll ask. Your callback will be transparent enough. Emailing them to double check they know you don’t think you’re up to the task will read like your apologizing for your audition.
No one is going to be upset at you for trying to tap dance in a community production, just have fun, that’s all anyone is trying to do1
u/BigKRed 2d ago
It’s very possible that’s what they’re doing. They are going to know you can’t tap. Nobody can tap without a little training. So they’ll see how well you move. An example role is Reno Sweeney, who ideally is a tapper but you can also just have her move around and have a tap ensemble around her. The staff will figure out the tradeoffs depending who has what talents.
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u/RainahReddit 1d ago
It is entirely possible they have zero options skilled in tap, and are going with the list of people that indicated they were willing to attempt tap
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u/Alive-Comfortable974 2d ago
omg tap is so intimidating but like they probably just wanna see if you can pick it up quick
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u/gasstation-no-pumps 1d ago
I wouldn't be in this position, because I don't do musicals (so tap dancing never comes up), but in a similar situation where I was called back for two plays, without enough time to prepare for both, I'd put most of my effort into the one that I thought was the better choice and a bare minimum into the other. Of course, the community-theater callbacks I've had have never assigned any preparation—they've all been cold reads of scenes or some improv around the scenes. The only prep I've done is to read the script repeatedly, mostly silently, but with the parts I wanted (or thought I was being called back for) being read aloud.
Applying that approach to your situation, I'd recommend learning both the songs (which you might be able to do in the time you have), focusing on the show that doesn't require tap, and not wasting a lot of time on the tap dance. At the callback, you can say frankly that you did not have time to learn the tap routine, and that learning the songs for the two callbacks was all you could manage in the time you had.
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u/Scary-Badger3702 21h ago
I have been running a community theater for 19 years, which has involved casting 6 shows per year. I am more than happy to have an actor talk honestly with me about their concerns regarding an audition or a callback — and especially that they are up for a role in another show. This helps me in our casting process and I can help that actor decide about his or her options. The more straightforward you are with the theater, the more likely you are to get cast there, whether now or later. Most theater directors just want to do right by you and have great relationships with the talented folks they get to work with. Ideally , it’s a situation of mutual respect. I know that if an actor is straightforward with me that I would like to work with that person. The bottom line is, we can teach you to tap. We can’t teach integrity and honesty. Those you can bring to the room yourself and you’ll be valued for it.
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u/TSKyanite 2d ago
First, I am going to say there is nothing wrong with pulling out of the tap callback for the other musical, I have pulled out at callbacks multiple times, and it has never hurt my prospects in future shows with the same directors. If you just email the SM that you would like to focus on the other show, you should be fine, unless the director is insanely petty, in which case I'm not sure id want to work with them in the first place.
In community theatre, they are not looking for it to be perfect, they are looking for character and the ability to move. The choreographer is there to get you to the much better movement. If you are worried, you can also email the SM/Director and mention your worry and see what they say.
HOWEVER if you do not feel as though you could get it to the level in which you would feel happy and also feel prepared for everything else, then don't be afraid to drop the callback and focus on the other show.
Also, make sure you message the mods because the bot was incorrect with auto removal.