How to get a lead role in a play???

Question:Some people forever remain supporting actors and some people just starting out get cast in that elusive lead role. It is chance. The only thing you personally can do is prepare until you can't prepare anymore. Know your audition material backwards and forwards and if you make it to call backs know all you can about the role you are reading for. Know the play, the playwrights style, and most importantly the lines you are reading. If you have been given it in advance know your beats, your motivation and who you are playing.
Dress properly, use the training you are hopefully getting, be polite and confident, be believable and then give it your all.

From there it is all dependent upon chemistry, looks, the roles the directors needs to fill and a million other things that are completely out of your hands. There is no guaranteed way to ensure you will get cast in the lead role and most great actors out there know that any role is a blessing. One of the best performances I have ever seen was done by a man who played a silent soldier in the play "Caine Mutiny". He never spoke a word and still blew the audience away. Any role can be as magical as a lead when done right.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Some people forever remain supporting actors and some people just starting out get cast in that elusive lead role. It is chance. The only thing you personally can do is prepare until you can't prepare anymore. Know your audition material backwards and forwards and if you make it to call backs know all you can about the role you are reading for. Know the play, the playwrights style, and most importantly the lines you are reading. If you have been given it in advance know your beats, your motivation and who you are playing.
Dress properly, use the training you are hopefully getting, be polite and confident, be believable and then give it your all.

From there it is all dependent upon chemistry, looks, the roles the directors needs to fill and a million other things that are completely out of your hands. There is no guaranteed way to ensure you will get cast in the lead role and most great actors out there know that any role is a blessing. One of the best performances I have ever seen was done by a man who played a silent soldier in the play "Caine Mutiny". He never spoke a word and still blew the audience away. Any role can be as magical as a lead when done right.

Audition. If you are lucky, you will have what the director is looking for. There is no magic formula for getting a lead. Right time, right place, right person. If it isn't you, there is nothing you can do.

PRACTICE....

sleep with the director

Have a small waist and be able to connect with the lead's problems like no one loves me, he loved me then left me, I'm going to kill myself, I'm leaving the county because he hates me.

Leads aren't all that great, especially in highschool. You can't remember you line and the character is always weak until the end of the play, where she has resolution in her problem not her personality or life.

Older supporting roles are really really good no matter what play. They always have an omnicient sence about them and are very strong.

Despite that if you are wanting the lead because you like the character not just because it's the lead talk with your director, don't tell them what part you want, and get some pointers. A good idea is to also check up on the role and see what is expected, don't steal idea just put a new spin on them.

I wish you well and hope you're not doing Romeo and Juliet for your own sanity.

You act/sing very well
Hope for the best
and see what happens
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
*but don't over practice two nights or the night before auditions

I second what Joy said, and remind you that the lead isn't always the best role. Many times the supporting characters have more flavor and meatier scenes.