Am I getting upset over nothing?

[CapeCodTenor]

About a month ago, I auditioned for a small regional opera company. I didn't get a part and moved on. Well, I got an email yesterday from the artistic director and asking if I'd be in the chorus. Well, I chose not to accept. Not because I have a grudge against the artistic director, it's just I don't want to do the chorus part to this opera. Well, I sent an email back saying that I was unavailable, trying to be nice. This morning I got an email back asking, "What would you have done if we casted you in Carmen? You know it's not a good thing to audition for something you can't commit to." What?! I was confused by her response. Why would she send this? Well, I sent this in reply, "I fully understand that it's not a good thing to audition for something that I can't commit to, however, at the time I auditioned for Carmen, I had the time to commit. Since I was not cast in Carmen, I scheduled things for that time frame and therefore am now unavailable." Am I getting upset over something small or am I justified in getting upset? This really irritated the snot out of me (wanted to use something else, but am reminded this is a Dis family site). Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[diznygirl]

Yeah, that would get me miffed to. I think your email was a good response - sets them straight without telling them off!

 

[AKL_Megs]

The director in question seems a little crazy in the stuffy kind of way that "artsy" people tend to get.

Hello? You didn't get the part! Life goes on!

People like that are nuts, don't let it get to you.

You're too good for them! They had their chance, right! I would've emailed them that!!! (I'm kidding!)

 

[MushyMushy]

I think it was an odd thing to write to you!

 

[nhpooh]

Sounds good to me too! Like you don't have a right to move on, what's with that?

 

[holycow]

You sent a great response off.

I don't blame you for being upset but chances are they probably need people and instead of asking you right off if you could help in the chorus they let it go to long. Now they have to use manipulation. Don't feel bad. Can you imagine what you avoided by not being chosen!


HC

 

[rie'smom]

I think she sounds pissy because she's having trouble finding people for the chorus,however,that's not your problem.

 

[Robinrs]

Wow! That was unprofessional...

What person puts their lives on hold after being turned down for a part? What is WRONG with her???

Excellent response. Yes, I'd be ticked at her response to you, too... it was unnecessary.

 

[Soubrette]

The director in question seems a little crazy in the stuffy kind of way that "artsy" people tend to get.

Wow...us "artsy" will try not to take offense, I guess...

To the OP:
The director, "artsy" or not, seems like a jerk. You responded beautifully.

 

[MamaLema]

I think your response was great. Lets her know that the world doesn't revolve around her production.

 

[jx3smom]

What were you supposted to wait around forever for her to offer you something. She was rude, simple as that.

 

[alabamaalan]

Never mind, I misread the original post

 

[mickeyboat]

I liked your response, too. Does she think that if you audition that you are therefore obligated to take some part in the opera? That's not a very good way to run your production. She is probably having a tough time getting people for the chorus, and think she can guilt everyone into participating.

Plus she needs to understand that someone might be willing to alter their schedules for a main role, but not a chorus role. That is just common sense.

Denae

 

[barkley]

been through this too many times to count! and sometimes i've gotten called at the 11the hour a few days before production to jump into a part i would have died to have been cast in originally. but depending on my schedual AT THE TIME THEY ASK ME-i may or may not be able to do it. that's just how it is. when i audition i'm honest about my availability-but more often than not, if i'm not cast i've got other irons in the fire that i'm pursuing (and in some cases it's the rehearsal process i love so it's not appealing to jump in right before production so i'll just pass on it).

i think there is allot of frustration with production staff over people who (not saying you did this) SWEAR they will take any part/ensamble during the audtion process, but then if not cast in the part they want decline or drop out right after the first couple of rehearsals. this is so frustrating for the cast and the production staff, and noone wants to call someone and say 'um, we told you you did'nt get cast, but we had people drop out so can you do it now?'.

i think your email response was fine-and honestly, i wish groups would take a cue from one of our area theatres. they've taken to posting a whole discussion on their website about how when you commit to taking 'anything' you better stick to it, because it will a much more negative reflection on you down the road audition wise vs. being honest and saying upfront 'i only want to be considered for x, y and z roles' (and i only know one director who was stupid enough to make a casting decision on a lead based on the person's willingness to do chorus in show after show, and for the show he was casting-felt she had somehow earned it due to her 'commitment to the group'. yeah, well her committment to the group did'nt overcome the fact that she vocally could'nt handle the role, was resistant to being singled out for direction, and managed to bring down the performances of the other very talented and proven performers she was cast with same director was very surprised to find that in subsequent productions his decision came back to haunt him when the strong actors and singers would'nt audition since they viewed him as not considering of talent/ability so much as reciprocity for participation in prior shows).

you may be much better off learning of this persons 'people skills' while not entrenched in a production.

 

[CheshireVal]

I'd be more upset at the fact that she used "casted" as the past tense of "cast."

I once turned down a role of a nun (chorus) in Sound of Music because I didn't get Maria, so I know how you feel.

I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[WhatATreat]

I would be annoyed too if someone responded the way she did when I told them no in a polite manner. Your response to her was right on.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Yeah, that would get me miffed to. I think your email was a good response - sets them straight without telling them off!

Ditto.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Wow...us "artsy" will try not to take offense, I guess...

I sure hope not, especially since it came from an "artsy" gal herself! C'mon... you never had a crazy art teacher?

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Thanks for all your responses, I really do appreciate it. I just couldn't believe the response I got from her. Life moves on lady, I'm sorry if I'm not waiting by the phone for you.

 

[Soubrette]

I sure hope not, especially since it came from an "artsy" gal herself! C'mon... you never had a crazy art teacher?

C'mon...I am that crazy art teacher! (On my better days, that is.)