About Arlene Schulman Expertise I have been a director, dramaturg, actor and acting coach for over twenty-five years and am happy to share my expertise in learning to act, character development, taking direction, acting styles and techniques, auditioning techniques, how to choose an audition monologue or song (but NOT specific audition songs or monologues), learning lines, script analysis, acting in musicals, dramas, comedies, farces, mysteries and even new plays in their first productions.
I am NOT a voice teacher or vocal coach. My expertise is in acting and directing, not in singing. I can not advise you on specific audition songs, vocal exercises, how to stretch your range or on solving vocal problems. For that you need an expert on singing and vocal work. And there is at least one very good one on this list.
Experience I have been a director, dramaturg, actor and acting coach in the NYC/NJ area for over twenty-four years. I have directed dramas, comedies, musicals, mysteries, thrillers and farces as well as directing original plays in staged readings, workshops, showcases and world premieres. I have worked with all level of actors from amateurs to Equity, from children to seniors.
Organizations Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers - associate member Literary Managers & Dramaturgs of America - associate member Shakespeare Association of America The Shakespeare Instititute - MA candidate - "Shakespeare & Theatre"
Question I am a student at Arizona State University as a theatre major and have been told, many times, that I will be tough to cast due to my height. I'm only 5'3" and have been told I will not be cast as a female lead in a musical (such as Elphaba in WICKED or Eponine in LES MIS) because of my height, even if I have the right voice, acting ability,training, etc.
So my question is this: Does height play a huge role when casting? Or am I destined to play younger roles because I am "short"?
Thanks.
Answer Hi Kasee,
While height could play a small role in some casting situations (say, when pairing with a particularly tall actor), it is seldom a deciding factor, and certainly not in the majority of auditions.
Look, type and style depends on a lot more than just height. It includes how old you look, the kind of presence you project on stage or film, your vocal quality and range (speaking as well as singing) and much more.
Talent and ability is far more important than height. Obviously being short will limit to some extent the roles that you might be appropriate for, but actually that's true of any body type. Actresses who are tall, thin, heavy, Black, Asian, young-looking, character actresses - each of them has their own obstacles to deal with. But the fact is that everyone is unique and those who suceed are those who learn to make their uniqueness into an asset rather than an obstacle! There are roles out there for every type of human being, and being short is hardly the biggest obstacle that actors have overcome. If you have real talent, your height isn't going to make a wit of difference in the long run.
Being small is hardly a major problem for an actress - certainly it's worse for short actors. There are and have been plenty of short actress out there who do really well. Estelle Getty - more recently known for "the Golden Girls" but a huge star earlier in her life - was only 4'9". Kristin Chenoweth - of "Wicked", "The West Wing", "Pushing Daisies", "Candide and more - is only 4'11", as is Nell Carter. Bernadette Peters - one of the premiere Broadway actresses today - is 5'2". Judy Garland was just under 5' tall. Helen Hayes, one of the greatest actresses of the 20th century was 5'. So is/was Patty Duke, Dolly Parton and Natalie Wood.
If you are not talented and well-trained, then your height will not help you get roles. If you are talented and well-trained, then your height will not hurt your chances. Actors audition for hundreds of shows a year - their work is far more about auditioning than about acting. And all actors - ALL actors - get cast in only a small percentage of roles they audition for. Some they are not right for physically. Some they are not right age-wise. Some are not right vocally. Others are simply wrong for the character or don't have the specific talents needed for the role. For some there is just someone else a little bit better. There is always some reason, and height, in some cases, may be one of them. But only one of many.
If you believe you have talent and are willing to put in the huge amount of time, hard work and determination to get the training and experience you will need to compete professionally, don't let your height (or weight or anything else) get in your way. If you think acting is going to be easy, and something insignificant like height is enough to stop you, then you should find another career.
Go for it, Kasee. Height is simply a description. It has nothing to do with your talent or ability to make the most of who you are and to make any role your own. If you are good enough, the roles will adjust to who you are.
