For the last few years - at least in Champaign-Urbana - and perhaps in other Central Illinois communities - the number of people auditioning for regional/community and even Park District Youth shows has been decreasing. My daughter was in a community theatre show several years ago where the cast was 100 people! I have not heard of a community show since then where that large of a number even auditioned. Where once 100 people might audition for a cast of 40 - now, barely 40 may audition. Where 60 people might audition for a cast of 25, now barely 30 may audition. I recently directed a show with a six person cast - but I only had 12 people audition. (For the record, all six people in the cast were excellent and delivered a great show). I know of a recent show where only 25 or so people auditioned for a 14 person cast. I see audition dates for shows extended frequently by days or weeks - or cast lists issued with TBA or TBD. Even some youth productions -- which are more oriented to education as people pay for their child to be involved - have had difficult times reaching the numbers they once did. It's not just that there are too few men auditioning - there are even too few women trying out for parts.
We sometimes have the idea that "if we announce it, they will come," But, when they don't come to audition, you question whether you have selected the wrong show. You question whether you had the right publicity about the auditions. You question whether perhaps it is "you" that people don't want to work with. Confronted by a lack of persons to adequately fill a cast, producers and directors then hit the phones in search of actors whom they know who may not have auditioned. It's not that shows are pre-cast - they are now post-cast. And, it doesn't mean that the ultimate cast isn't good, great or even exceptional. But the lack of auditioners creates stress - and also makes you wonder whether you missed out on an exceptional performer, when you have to focus on the cast you have.
The irony is that as the number of people auditioning gets less and open auditions for all roles does not yield a cast - or the producer and director haven't seen the "right" person for a role, they end up post-casting. Then members of the community may decide that auditioning is not worth the effort on the erroneous assumption that the producers and directors are not open to casting "new" faces, and then the number of auditioners decreases further. I know I am always looking for new faces when I put on a show. But, it can be quite disheartening and discouraging to sit in an audition room, chatting with your production team while staring at a list of roles wondering how you are ever going to fill them..
The lack of auditioners impacts show selection. Can you really do a "big" musical - for example, Mame or Hello Dolly - without some assurance that you will have enough people? Can you do "Cats" or "A Chorus Line" if you're not sure you will get enough dancers. Can you do "Memphis" if you're not certain you will get enough African-American actors? And, should you just forget about producing "Miss Saigon"? I'm fairly confident there are audiences in Central Illinois for all of these shows. I'm not so confident those shows can be properly cast.
So, I encourage all of you to go out and audition. Remember, you are not the judge of whether you are right for a role. You may be right for a role that you never even considered. The best way to not get a part is to not audition.
So, watch your local newspaper for auditions. Join Facebook groups such as Champaign-Urbana Theatre Resources and Bloomington-Normal Theatre. Tell your friends when you hear about auditions. Tell your friends to tell you when they hear about auditions. And, if you're a producer or director-do all that you can to get the word out about auditions to new parts of the community. Facebook is not sufficient - even though it is very convenient. Send press releases to the local media. A first release would be about the upcoming show. Then a second release would be about the upcoming auditions. And, a third release would announce the cast - perhaps even emphasizing members of the cast who are new to the theatre company's shows. You could also phone community groups to let them know about auditions. Emailing an audition announcement to local drama teachers - middle or high school and college - may help get the word out. And use local talk radio programs as well!
Maybe, this downturn is temporary. I hope so, because I have two upcoming shows to cast!
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