OT- Vent

daileyad

Mouseketeer
Joined
Feb 6, 2009
Messages
245
Sorry for the off topic vent but I am worked up this morning :mad: My daughter has been taking drama classes 2 hours per week for the past year (to the tune of $875 we've given them - I just added it up). She has auditioned for every play they've offered and never been given a part. At first I chalked it up to every kid needs to learn that it's hard work and sometimes disappointing. But she is now on her 2nd year of study with this organization (which bills itself as Christian :sad2:) and the cast list just came in and she doesn't even get a background part with no lines? I understand some kids might be a natural but come on - at least reward her hard work this year and stick-to-it-iveness.
 
Honestly, I would talk to them and find out why she has never been given a part. If I felt that their answer was total BS then I would be finding a different class for her to be in. You are paying them to teach her to act and yet they don't allow her.
 
After 2 yrs of classes, she should of improved enough to get a background part. I would take her out and find someplace else for her to take lessons.
 
I would look for a different venue. My son acted starting in elementary school all through high school with NO lessons. He did plays at the local university and other non-profits along with a for profit theatre about 70 miles from us. It was all volunteer, but he gots lots of experience and as he gained experience, got some fairly decent speaking parts.

Most plays have lots of extra scenes that almost anybody can handle. If they are taking your money, they should at least let her get some experience on stage.

Sheila
 

The unspoken question: Is she any good? Does she just plain suck at acting? While I understand that self-esteem movement in general has forced extra-curricular activites to do the "everyone gets a chance/everyone gets a trophy" crap, if this organization isn't like that, maybe she's just not good enough?

What kind of plays do they put on? Is there always the same kids in the speaking parts? Are any of the kids related to the director? (favoritism?)

You're in a tough spot... if you don't speak up, your daughter continues to get passed over. If you do speak up, you become the obnoxious stage mom bullying the director to feature her precious little snowflake.

Take a look at the situation and then decide if it's worth it to you. It may be best just to find another program entirely.
 
If she just isn't good enough to do a background, non-speaking part after a year of classes why does the organization keep taking my money? Wouldn't the Christian thing to do to be to tell me she sucks so bad that she'll never get any part and they can't rightfully take my money for any more classes?

I've finally reached my breaking point and will be moving her to another program.
 
The unspoken question: Is she any good? Does she just plain suck at acting? While I understand that self-esteem movement in general has forced extra-curricular activites to do the "everyone gets a chance/everyone gets a trophy" crap, if this organization isn't like that, maybe she's just not good enough?.

But if it is the case, that after two years of lessons this child still isn't good enough to be included in any production, wouldn't you think that the teachers have an obligation to discuss that with the parents and tell them that they are wasting their money?

These aren't Broadway productions after all.
 
But if it is the case, that after two years of lessons this child still isn't good enough to be included in any production, wouldn't you think that the teachers have an obligation to discuss that with the parents and tell them that they are wasting their money?

These aren't Broadway productions after all.

Honestly, there is no way a for profit organization is going to stop taking your money, or tell you that your dd doesn't have talent (even if she doesn't have talent). Some kids take lessons just because they enjoy them, even if they're not that good. There are theater programs here where every child is guaranteed a role, and cost about $300 for a 12 week course.
 
We have a free program in our town and everyone gets a part. And I mean everyone - my daughter's BFF is 6 and wanted to be in the play and even her sister (age 3) got to be a snail.

I did theatre all through highschool and I'd honestly look elsewhere.
 
Sorry for the off topic vent but I am worked up this morning :mad: My daughter has been taking drama classes 2 hours per week for the past year (to the tune of $875 we've given them - I just added it up). She has auditioned for every play they've offered and never been given a part. At first I chalked it up to every kid needs to learn that it's hard work and sometimes disappointing. But she is now on her 2nd year of study with this organization (which bills itself as Christian :sad2:) and the cast list just came in and she doesn't even get a background part with no lines? I understand some kids might be a natural but come on - at least reward her hard work this year and stick-to-it-iveness.
First, I'll say that's super cheap for drama (or any) lessons. Even if it's one two-hour lesson a week, it's less than $20 each.

Second, that sounds just wrong. Even if she's the world's worst actor, there's no reason she couldn't be given non-speaking parts. That's ridiculous.

I'd have a word with them about why she's never been cast and look for another venue for her.
 
Even if you move her, I think you need to talk to the teachers, and also the people who cast as they may very well be different, and see what they can tell you about why she isn't being cast (in a very non-confrontational manner, no matter how angry you are- it should be more of a "what do we need to work on to give her a better chance at being cast"). How many kids are in the school as opposed to how many are in the productions? Is there something they think she specifically needs to work on? Can she not remember her lines? Does she freeze up at auditions? Is it strictly acting, or is it a musical- in which case does she have issues with her singing or dancing? Does she not get cast because the decision makers feel that others are better at acting, or are better fits for the roles, or is there something else such as her attitude or the way she interacts with other students or teachers. If it is a talent thing, is it something they feel she can work on, or is drama just not going to be a good area for her (think of the American Idol auditions- sometimes no matter how much you want something to be "your thing", it just isn't). Even if they don't think she has the talent, if it is something she really wants, I wouldn't give up completely although I would change her schools and see what her other teachers say. Even if she isn't a "natural", if it is what she really wants to do, with hard work she might be able to improve a lot.

They will keep taking your money whether they cast her or not. One, because they want to fill the class. Two, because the idea is that she should be learning in the class and hopefully improving to maybe get a role the next time Three, because the classes are usually treated as totally separate things than the productions. It is never assumed that everyone in a class will try out or get a role in the productions.

You would be in the same boat in the better drama schools around here. If it is a "professional" type drama school or connected to a local theater (non-kid), it doesn't matter how much you pay them or how many years your kid has been there, if the other kids are better, then they are going to get all the roles and your kid isn't. Drama and theater are very competitive around here. It doesn't matter how many years or how much money you spend, the roles are going to go to the kids they think will be the best in the roles and the play. There also can be some "politics" in it- local actors kids, donor's kids, etc. might get some preferential treatment. Also, depending on her age, one year is nothing- around here the kids start young- I'm talking age 3 or 4 even though they are not eligible for productions until they are somewhere between 6 and 8 depending on the school-, and if the talent is equal, the kids who have been there longer will get a role over a newcomer- in fact sometimes the plays are even picked with an idea of who they are likely going to put in the role (however, a new super talent can show up and suddenly blow everyone else out of the water). Plus the schools are competitive with each other, and they want their productions to be as good as possible. They won't put kids in them just to have them there.

I'm sorry for your daughter. It stinks when the cast list is put up, and your name isn't on it, especially if it happens more than once. Unfortunately, that is part of drama and you have to have really tough skin if you want to focus in that area.
 
Some kids take lessons just because they enjoy them, even if they're not that good.
I wish more kids would!

Parents are always looking to make their kids well-rounded, and THIS is the way to do it... not just by doing activities they're "good" at, but those they just plain ENJOY DOING.

For the average parent who's only looking to showing off their snowflake at their best, or pad the kid's "activity resumé" for future school prospects, it's nice to see some letting their kids actually have fun.
 
Are they musicals or just plays? 2 of my kids were in numerous productions from age six until now but they both could sing. They always got leads and my other two were always chorus.
We never paid for acting lessons. Just voice and piano. Sometimes there is such a thing as too much training, especially if the teacher is over dramatic. We had a few directors like this!:lmao:
 
I'm trying to calm down and put a positive spin on the whole scenario for my daughter. And it's she who wants to be in a play - I am in no way pushing her or expecting her to grab the lead. In fact I hate seeing her have to deal with the rejection and wish she wouldn't want to try out so much.

I think what made me madder is that I've felt for awhile that the drama program was just glorified babysitting and they weren't doing much. I think this was sort of the straw that broke the camels back. If they're teaching her and she can't get a non-speaking role in their own productions then obviously the quality of what they are teaching is not good. I know there is some natural abilities to kids that are really good and getting the leads but in a year you can't teach someone to stand in the background of a play and not speak? :confused3
 
If she just isn't good enough to do a background, non-speaking part after a year of classes why does the organization keep taking my money? Wouldn't the Christian thing to do to be to tell me she sucks so bad that she'll never get any part and they can't rightfully take my money for any more classes?

:rotfl: That's what my mandolin teacher told me about 30 years ago, LOL. I was so horrible that he kept giving me lessons, but stopped charging me for them. I finally put the mandolin behind the sofa and put us both out of our misery.

On the other hand, my son's piano teacher called us in after about three lessons and said "you're wasting my time and your money giving this child lessons". He refused to practice Mary Had a Little Lamb. So we went home and he taught himself. He wanted to play "The Piano Man" and songs from Broadway musicals. Not Mary Had a Little Lamb. We would take him to see my older son on a show and he'd come home and pick out all the songs. By the next day, he could play them.

Your daughter is not thriving there. I'd move on.

Sheila
 
Are they musicals or just plays? 2 of my kids were in numerous productions from age six until now but they both could sing. They always got leads and my other two were always chorus.
We never paid for acting lessons. Just voice and piano. Sometimes there is such a thing as too much training, especially if the teacher is over dramatic. We had a few directors like this!:lmao:

That reminded me of all the years my two oldest (daughter 22 months older than son) would go to auditions. My son would always get a part. My daughter, never. There were always 10 times as many girls as boys auditioning.

Then there was the time my DH told my two older sons to audition for an extra part in a series of movies. Guess who got a part. DH, of course. He had great fun being an extra in three movies and the boys didn't get a call. DH didn't even sign up until they insisted on it. He had the look they needed.

Sheila
 
First, I'll say that's super cheap for drama (or any) lessons. Even if it's one two-hour lesson a week, it's less than $20 each.

Second, that sounds just wrong. Even if she's the world's worst actor, there's no reason she couldn't be given non-speaking parts. That's ridiculous.

I'd have a word with them about why she's never been cast and look for another venue for her.

Red flag! If she can't even be someone in the background pretending to sweep a floor (no real talent needed), it is time to pull her. Been through that with my son in dance. Sadly, we wasted too much time and money thinking things would change, meanwhile, it was a huge hit to the mental health. We put him in a different school and he has received many roles, some front and center, where the last school never cast him.
 
You might check around for a kids' improv class in addition to drama or a summer stage or whatever dramatic thing is in your area.

If your poor daughter has been trying out for a dang year and not even been cast in the background, I'm guessing she's a bit down on herself in this arena (but yay on her for continuing to try out - that should tell you how much she enjoys this and really wants to do it, and how much you should find her a place she can thrive).

Improv classes are really fun, *everyone* participates, it's the nature of the thing, everyone is silly and unprepared at first and it focuses on just going with the flow, gaining confidence in front of people, gaining confidence in acting, etc.

It could be a nice way to get her some 'performing' time, without it being a whole role or anything, and boost her confidence for trying more dramatic stuff in whatever new place you find for her. So that her first role or first audition in a new venue won't be scary.
 
I know there is some natural abilities to kids that are really good and getting the leads but in a year you can't teach someone to stand in the background of a play and not speak? :confused3
Most of the actors I know can't shut their mouths or not be the center of attention, like... ever. ;)

You've already talked yourself into pulling her out. Just do it.
 














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