Feeling left out after being part of something big?

Question:So recently our High School just put on a musical, and i feel totally left out of everything, just like i wasnt important to their sucess...I was their audtion pianist--i played all 21 hours of audtions...i rehersed 1 on 1 with cast members outside rehersals, i was a rehersal pianist, and a member of the pit orchestra...For the auditions i was hired...but barely paid--if u can even call it that...$50 for 21 hours of auditons...BS i charge $35 an hour, if i charged her she'd own me a couple hundred...Then none of the cast thanks me, and finally the people in the pit choose to ignore me, and they did pictures of the entire cast and the pit...and i was told that i could go home earlier that night, because i wasnt needed to be there. What do i do now?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: So recently our High School just put on a musical, and i feel totally left out of everything, just like i wasnt important to their sucess...I was their audtion pianist--i played all 21 hours of audtions...i rehersed 1 on 1 with cast members outside rehersals, i was a rehersal pianist, and a member of the pit orchestra...For the auditions i was hired...but barely paid--if u can even call it that...$50 for 21 hours of auditons...BS i charge $35 an hour, if i charged her she'd own me a couple hundred...Then none of the cast thanks me, and finally the people in the pit choose to ignore me, and they did pictures of the entire cast and the pit...and i was told that i could go home earlier that night, because i wasnt needed to be there. What do i do now?

I wanted to be sure to answer, because I had exactly the same experience. I was "the kid who plays the piano for school musicals," twenty years ago. Trust me, you're not alone.

Being the pianist is odd. You sit in the pit, and get forgotten a lot of the time. It's not that they are being mean on purpose - they are caught up in their own excitement and are not being very considerate. It's especially hard, because really, your skills far outweigh anyone else's in the room. Anyone can stand up and read lines from a script. Learning to play a score takes experience and skill, and years of lessons. You've trained. Most of the others picked up a script yesterday and decided they were an actor. Also, show scores are notoriously difficult. So that's another part of it - They do not realize how difficult the job you are doing really is.

And no wonder you were set apart. However little, you were paid some money to do the show. Surely others resented that, even just a little. I guarantee you that more than one actor said something like "HE is getting paid? I'M in the play ON STAGE and I am not getting paid!!" As they get older, they will realize that accompanists come at a premium, and are the first to get paid, even when no one else does. You can replace an actor. It is much hard to replace the accompanist.

I learned from it. I figured I enjoy playing for the show, so I did it without complaining and learned a lot from it. I went to college to finish learning theatre and directing. Now I am a director who can musical direct & accompany my own shows without needing another pianist. How valuable is *that*?! I have total control over my shows. =)

Take comfort in this: There are always tons of actors, way too many of them, and not all of them get cast. For every person cast, there are tons more who want the same role. Pianists (especially who can play a show) are at a serious premium. They *always* need an accompanist. Pianists are few and far between. You're more valuable.

Don't get uppity about being paid. You were not hired for a job so much as they offered you some money because you were doing a lot of work. You're a kid. Enjoy yourself. You should *love* playing these shows. Do remember - You have the upper hand here. You are the one in power. But never use your mouth or be rude to assert yourself. Simply do it or don't, politely and with a smile. If you do not play the show next time, maybe they will realize what they had. If they ask why, just nicely and politely mention that you felt left out and did not have fun.

Best of luck.

I wouldnt help out anymore, they obviously dont appreciate you! And you can actually sue since they didnt pay you what u normally charge.

Personally, I'd tell the person in charge of the whole musical that you are dissapointed in the fact that you agreed to be underpaid and wasn't even thanked, was told to go home when you really should have been in the picture, and that you do feel short-changed of the whole situation. This way, they'll know that you aren't a dummy that they can take advantage of. Then, when the next musical comes around and they come running to you, say 'no thanks; last time, I was not impressed with how the way things were run.' And leave it at that. They'll think twice about leaving you out from then on. for now, though, don't sweat it. One day, your talent will be appreciated. =)

It sounds like you really did a lot and should have recieved recognition for it. You could spend your time getting really angry about it but that will really get you no where. If you approach the people about not being recognized you may look like you are just a complainer. You did a really good thing and spent a lot of your time and energy doing it. If there is any way you can feel good about your actions and forget that others were inconsiderate (albeit possibly not even on purpose) that may be helpful. Some where down the line you will get the accolades you deserve. This is one of those times where being the bigger person will get you farther than looking for retribution. You sound like a pretty conscientious person and that is remarkable in this day and age and something to be proud of.