Please keep your fingers crossed/send PD for DD#1! **next update post #8

[Rock'n Robin]

DD#1 (age 13 1/2, 8th grade) tried out for the junior high production of "Annie" today. She probably won't get an orphan role because she is 5'6" is not built like a little girl anymore, but she takes private voice lessons and has 11 years of dance so we are very hopeful, since 8th graders supposedly get a little preferential treatment.
She has tried out for the last two shows in 6th and 7th grade and not even gotten into the chorus. Last year after semester grades we figured out the choir director was having behavior issues with her choir class, including her(she got a B minus in choir and I EMailed to find out why), and I imagine that had a bearing on it. At that time DD took it upon herself to write a letter of apology to the choir director, and some of the bad behavior kids dropped choir at that point, so things got better all last spring. Now the choir director loves her. Her voice teacher is her former elementary music teacher who told me when she was 9 that come junior high, she should take lessons. She swore to me last week that if DD doesn't make it there are serious politics. She's been practicing "Tomorrow" for 2 weeks (even though she probably won't be an orphan, all the girls sang the same song).
Here is the procedure--over 100 kids do the first tryout. They score them on their singing and on their academics, as rated by their teachers (DD#1 is mostly A/B, has a C plus in math right now, but her teachers are always saying how she works hard and is positive). The top 80 based on that go on to tomorrow's first callback audition, where they do a reading and dance. This is where DD can also move up since she can do tap and jazz like nobody's business. After tomorrow the top 40, rated on singing, grades, dance and acting, move on to the final callback Thursday and roles are posted Friday.
She is SO GOOD! It broke my heart when she didn't get cast last year. I try to be confident for her, but privately I'm a big worrier!!!! So if you could cross some fingers or send Kelly some PD I would really appreciate it! I'll keep you all posted as it moves along!
Robin M.

 

[FTWFAN]

Sending all the pixie dust I have her way!!!!!!!!

Please let us know how things turn out. Good Luck!!!!!!!!

 

[minkydog]

I bet she'd be great in the role of Mrs. Hanigan with her longs legs and less child-like body perhaps that role would really give her the chance to shine. P & PD Break a leg!

 

[preb]

Wishing her good luck! Please keep us posted!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

UPDATE---She made the first cut--she is at the dance/reading audition now. I don't know about her acting, but I'm hoping her dancing gets her through to tomorrow's audition.
I also found out that the girl who is probably the best singer in 7th grade did NOT make the first callback because her grades are too low--don't know how low that is, but I was totally floored by that. This girl at age 12 was one of 2 narrators for the summer theatre "Joseph" production--she can really belt it out. I am wondering if her parents will put up a fuss about grades counting as much as singing.
Robin M.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

.

 

[minkydog]

Woo-hoo Dancers who can sing are a valuable commodity. It looks like all those lessons are about to pay off!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well here's another update...we had a snow day Thursday so no second callback...it was on Friday. She made it and was one of 3 finalists for Miss Hannigan!
She has no idea how she did. She is notorious for not judging herself and not saying anything bad about the competition. She said the other 2 girls were 7th graders, one who just moved here this year. She said that girl was also trying out for Lily and did very well. She said the 3rd girl was very good at the acting (this callback was just acting and singing). I did ask a neighbor girl who was up for Annie how DD did and she said she thought she did great. Most parts had 5 finalists and this one only had 3. DD said most of the others had people who were called up more often, but not Miss Hannigan, it was spread out pretty equally, so she has no idea if anyone has an edge. The final list won't be posted until tomorrow afternoon.
Now I know that final cast sometimes depends on how people look with other people, etc. and there are a million factors, but I'm hoping that since DD is an 8th grader she gets a little bit of an edge that way. She is in the show now no matter what, but I think getting this part would be a huge boost for her. So keep that PD coming in case the decision is still being made!
Robin M.

 

[eeyore kelly]

 

[CharityLynn]

Can't wait to hear how it goes.

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

oooooo good luck to your DD!!!!! im the same exact way! This being said...im sure she got in! The next few days are going to be nerve wracking (gaurented..even if she doesnt show it) You HAVE to keep us updated! (be careful with the "8th grader" advantage...it doesnt always work, but usually will..i found that out last year when one 8th grader got a little part...most of 8th graders got leads) Im so excited for her!

yay!

ps-i got a call that i got in to Aladdin JR....im going to take this as its a good luck time and your DD is going in! im sending PD!!!!!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well she didn't get Miss Hannigan but she is in the chorus, and none of the "minor" parts have been assigned, such as "star to be", which she would love to have. The 7th grader that was up for Hannigan and Lily did not get a part either; it was the other 7th grader. All the leads are 7th graders except Grace and Rooster, and most of them are in the director's "team".
I don't know if I mentioned that her choir director was the head play director until this year. She thought she was retiring so she gave the job to her assistant. Then when she did not retire she asked for the job back, and the now-director said no, which is her right, I guess. But DD said the choir director came in today looking very ticked off and said she had no say in the casting process, even though she is now the assistant. I know she should not have said that to the kids (although I find it pretty darn enlightening) but she probably figures she's been there so long she can say what she wants.
DD is fine, I'm more upset, seems my kids always get #2 or also-ran or whatever, just having a pity party I guess, I need to adopt DD's attitude! I was hoping she would have a lead so I would be able to stand this show--I really don't like it at all--and now I will have to see it at least twice (DH will go for one show) and suffer. It's just so sappy! Plus opening night is DD's birthday and it would have been nice....but oh well.
The HS director always watches this musical, and I was hoping that DD would be able to "strut her stuff"--I hope she gets a solo or a dance solo so she can show off a little. I also wonder if she will get in trouble if her voice carries over everyone else's, which it usually does. She is always right on the notes but if her director wants her to blend in she'll have to take her volume down a few notches. Sometimes they want her to be loud because she gets everyone else on the right notes.
Thanks for all of the support. This is such a cutthroat town for this kind of thing, DD and I really appreciate it.
Robin M.

 

[Keli]

I'm sorry to hear your dd didn't get the part she wanted. Oh, how I remember those years with my dd! I think I was like you too, in that I was more disappointed when she wouldn't get the part she wanted than she was, lol.

But your dd is in the chorus and just being a part is so much fun. My dd loved the whole play experience, especially the practices towards the end. She'd get home so late and had worked so hard and but she was wired up for the production and thrilled to be a part of it.