Theater directors offer tips for success in capturing roles

There have already been many upcoming drama productions, including, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Oster Regent Theater, fall and spring productions at the high school, and the Waterloo community playhouse and the speech team. All of these productions require auditions, and some directors offer advice on what to do to try to secure these roles 

English teacher Molly Magil co-directs the fall and spring theater productions at the high school. and she made a list of what she looks for when she casts for these events. She said something someone could do to prepare for additions is reading the script or the parts of the script and try different ways of saying things. She also said that if someone is upfront with the director it makes it easier for them to cast the role. 

Something she said about what to do if someone doesn’t get the role is to think about what else one could do for that show. She also recommended asking for feedback but not letting emotions take control. 

The first show that Magill tried out for was in fifth grade as Gretel in Sound of Music. She showed up and tried her best, and she did get the role, but she said has also had the experience of not getting a role. The advice she gives is to look at all opportunities as a learning process, as a fun learning experience and a chance to grow and noted there is a play here on Nov. 15 and 16, as well as an upcoming play in the spring.

Greg Holt is a director who does productions for the Oster Regent Theater in Cedar Falls, and also had suggestions for aspiring people in auditioning “So some steps to take for someone who wants to get better at acting: learn from others, memorize monologues to gain practice taking on other personalities, and read plays. Of course getting experience on stage is helpful but if you don’t get that chance you can still practice by learning a monologue on your own.”

Holt said that getting experience onstage is good but so is assisting in other ways. “Assisting backstage is helpful because being a part of a production is a learning experience unto itself. I ran lights, helped construct sets and ushered back when I was in high school. This was out on the east coast and it allowed me to meet some pretty big time actors and directors.”

Like Magill, Holt also started acting at a very early age. “I received my first role when I was 7 because I had been taking an acting class and the teacher recommended me for a professional production.” 

Holt recommended not being frustrated when one doesn’t get part. “I have tried out for far more roles than I have received. When I was striving to make a living as  a professional actor I would go to twenty auditions in order to get one callback. And then I’d go to a dozen callbacks before I finally landed a part. Rejection is a huge part of this business and it’s what leads to most folks giving up after a while. And I even tried out for a show here at CFCT that I was not cast in – and so has Chris Hale (our Managing Director). But when you finally get the role you want it is a lovely thing. That’s when it’s important to work well with others.”