Advice Please! Choir and Musical Theater?

Question:In school I had a very unpleasant choir teacher, whom demanded more than my family believed the district warranted, and this semester I switched to Theater. My teacher in this class regards me as one of two talented actors in this class, and we are on good terms, though she does not know me personally. But now we are putting on a musical- collaboratively with the choir director. I intend to try out for a lead part, having had vocal lessons and musical theater experience, but I am afraid the choir teacher will resent me for dropping out of her class and awarding parts to a favorite student instead- her habits of picking favorites is legendary. I don't know if the theater teacher will interject on my behalf, and I'm not sure if I should say anything or just audition and hope for the best. Advice?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: In school I had a very unpleasant choir teacher, whom demanded more than my family believed the district warranted, and this semester I switched to Theater. My teacher in this class regards me as one of two talented actors in this class, and we are on good terms, though she does not know me personally. But now we are putting on a musical- collaboratively with the choir director. I intend to try out for a lead part, having had vocal lessons and musical theater experience, but I am afraid the choir teacher will resent me for dropping out of her class and awarding parts to a favorite student instead- her habits of picking favorites is legendary. I don't know if the theater teacher will interject on my behalf, and I'm not sure if I should say anything or just audition and hope for the best. Advice?

One problem I find with the running of musicals in a high school seems to be that so many high school choir teachers believe that because it is a musical, that they run the show. It shouldn't be that way. Yes, people are singing, but in the end, they are still acting. So it should be collaborative between the two. Sadly it doesn't always happen that way. It depends a lot on the outlook that your theatre teacher takes. If your theatre teacher is like me, then you should hopefully have as good a chance as any. If they don't, then you stand the chance of not being cast in the part that you want.

On the other side, the amount of time that you actually get cast in the part you want is so small that you should never really expect it. Go in, do the best you can, and then that's all you can do. It may also just end up that you aren't the best person for the role, and that is hard to swallow sometimes. I definitely hope you get a great role, and that your theatre teacher thinks on things like I do! That way you'll have a good shot, cuz I know how much it sucks when teachers blatantly play favorites.

God i hope she is not that petty.

what do you mean by demands? if you mean rehearsal wise realize your musical rehearsals will be incredibly similar.

There are many variables that go into casting, so I can not promise you will get the part if you follow my advice but just behave professionally and be nice to her, don't be afraid of her, and do your best, she may have a pleasant memory of you despite your dropping the class, and she may look forward to working with you again.

Just give it all!

just go for it and try ur best
i am taking choir too. i wanted to audition for this solo emsomble but the choir teacher pick her favorite girls. i know how it feels

Do it show the choir teacher what u are made off, show all the talent u have

~jonas love~

Do your best and break a leg. That's all you can do. Hopefully your talent will overcome any personal issues the teacher has.

Unfortunately, many teachers in the performing arts seem to have "favorites" and will place them in lead roles whether or not it's justified. That may be true in the performing arts in general too (professionally).

Again, break a leg.

wow, that's a real situation.

If your choir director choses someone else over you, ask some of your friends (if it's an open audition) if you were better or worse. that counts the most if they think you're better because they're your peers. if so, could you at least talk to your choir director?

But I'm sure if they want a good musical and want to get good reviews the will pick the best people for the parts. If they don't, well then it's they're loss. Just go in there and audition your very best and don't let it show that you're unsure that you will be picked. confidence is pretty much key in those type of things.

i have to go through a similar case. I didn't take theatre or choir because I didn't have room because of my other priorities and now it seems like since i didn't take either class, i'm put in the chorus all the time even if I'm better than some other people. i live with it but it sometimes hurts.

best of luck to you. i hope you get the part you wanted. i wouldn't worry about it too much especially if you are on good terms with your theatre teacher. They know that you're good at acting and will take that into consideration because a lead has to be good at both things.

once again good luck!!

Be sickeningly sweet, so when she tries to explain to the theater teacher why she doesn't like you, the theater teacher will be on your side and she'll have nothing to hold against you (I love to be sickeningly sweet to people I really don't like! It freaks them out!)
And if she still is being stupid, tell her to shove it down her shirt with her carkeys and hankie (no one else will know what I'm talking about here)

Well the director of the play should have the final decision as far as his or her cast.Your previous choir director may add his opinion but if you are right for the part that is in the directors hands//Break a leg!!!