Update - he got a part! Questions about DCs who do theater

[mamicka]

Update: he got the part of Michael! We just found out today - he's so excited!

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I know nothing about acting or theater & don't have any interest in it aside from enjoying it from the audience. DS1 (6.5 yrs) has a very outgoing personality & was recently introduced to a friend of a friend (started going to our church) who works for the local children's theater. He is convinced that DS1 is a natural & would like him to audition for their production of Peter Pan. We missed the original audition as we were out of town & the company manager emailed an invite to the callbacks & sent a script. Have I said yet that I know nothing about this stuff? I feel like this stuff should be self-explanatory but I'm reading the email & script & I'm all of a sudden feeling very nervous (I have a serious stage-fright issue) & easily confused.

Here's the body of the email:

We would like to invite you to attend a special callback audition for our production of PETER PAN AND WENDY in our 2010/2011 season.

Audition for the role(s): Michael and Lost Boys- Tootles
date
location

Peter Pan and Wendy- Mainstage Production:
Rehearsals begin September 21, 2010
Performances October 15-November 14, 2010

You will be auditioning for the role of Michael and Lost Boys- Tootles Attached are the side(s) (selection of the script) we would like you to review before coming to the callback audition. Please look over all Lost Boys lines.

Please bring a photo that we may keep for our files. It may be of any size or type---a school photo, copy or snapshot is sufficient. You may want to bring your calendar so you can alert of us any conflicts you will have during the rehearsal/performance period.

There are 5 files attached of different scenes, 3 with Michael & 2 with Tootles. How familiar should he be with all (meaning not just Michael & Tottles) the lines before audition? Should I worry about "coaching" him (I hope the answer is no) or just knowing the lines?

It mentions bringing a calendar - I don't usually plan things out that many months in advance. How rigid or flexible could I expect them to be?

Photo - we homeschool so we have no actual school photos - is a snapshot really OK? Like when he lost a tooth last month?

Thanks for any help. I'm really lost on this but I don't want to screw it up. It's not my thing at all but I think DS1 would love it. I have no interest (nada, zero, zip, zilch) interest in being a "stage mom". But he's obviously young enough that he needs DH & I to know what's going on & help him navigate through this process.

Thanks.

[caleymama]

I have no suggestions for you, but wanted to wish him (and you!) good luck as he auditions and navigates this new adventure.

[pinkmomagain]

A snapshot should be fine.

I would have him look over the lines and get comfortable with them. Not memorize. But if he can get comfortable enough to just glance at the page from time to time that would be a plus. If you don't feel comfortable coaching him, don't. If he has natural talent and the director sees potential...well, then great. You should be reading the sides with him as the roles of the other characters in the scenes so that he is comfortable with cues and the context of the scenes for both the roles of Michael and Tootles.

I would imagine that the director would want to stick pretty close to dates on a schedule for rehearsals....I'm sure if there was a huge reason to miss a rehearsal it would be OK. Performance dates would be pretty firm.

This is just my experience with dd1 acting.

[lizzywednesday]

Review the lines/scenes so he's not going in "cold" and a snap would be fine; I am guessing they would like something along the lines of a "headshot." (If you've ever been to a professional play or musical, look at the handbill; usually there are headshots of the primary cast members in the program/handbill.) So would a formal photo of just your DS if you have one.

Break a leg to your DS & keep us posted on how he does!

[maydaymommy]

For kids, even auditioning with professional casting directors, a recent snapshot is truly fine.

I agree with the pp as to preparation with the sides - if he is familiar enough to say most of the lines without having to read looking down at the page, that would be good.

[mamicka]

Thanks for all the info & encouragement guys! I'll let you know what happens.

[mamicka]

Posted here to bump it.

Update: he got the part of Michael! We just found out today - he's so excited!

[elizabethkott]

Woo-HOO!!!
Congratulations to you and your little Michael!!!! How wonderfully exciting! (Says the theatre teacher... )

[zoestargrove]

Congratulations! What a great accomplishment.

[pinkmomagain]

Hurray!!! That's awesome!