Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 1/5/2010

Question
I am a sixteen year old girl who will shortly be auditioning for an amateur production of Les Miserables. I'm confident in my acting and singing ability, and have been cast in such roles as Rusty in Footloose, Maggie in 42nd Street, and Taylor in High School Musical. When I go to audition for Les Mis, my goal is to be either Fantine or Eponine, preferably Fantine. There's just one problem... Both of these characters are beautiful women who are poverty stricken, and therefore probably very skinny... And I am 5'6" and 165 pounds.

When I think about these auditions, I get a nasty feeling that I'll be walking away as Madame Thenardier or some other character role. I was told when I auditioned for Footloose that the only reason that I was not made the lead role was because of my weight, and I was able to infer that the same thing happened with High School Musical. Don't get me wrong, I love playing Character roles. It's fun for me to be loud or obnoxious or comical. I just want my moment in the sun. None of the roles I've ever had allowed me to showcase my true vocal ability because I had to cover it up with a funny singing voice that suited my character. I want the chance to be an ingenue for once, but I'm afraid that my size will keep me from being cast as either Fantine or Eponine. Is this an irrational fear, or should I just resign myself to being Mme Thenardier?

I'm including a link to a video of me singing, if you want to use it as a reference.

Thank you so much for your time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIvIi8u09yw

Answer
Hi there, Morgan...And thanks for writing and sharing your youtube video.

I appreciate your candor and your question.  It is a good one.  Let me see if I can help you...

First of all, it is essential that you be realistic about who directors are and how they cast.  There is no way that you can influence who they see in a role before auditions begin.  Much of the time, a director comes to auditions with very specific ideas of what the person is like that they will put in a role - in attitude, body and ability.  And so they are looking for something even before you get there.  That is their job - to know what they are looking for.

What you can do though is do your best job at your audition and influence them through your performance for them. Sometimes what they think they are looking for is not at all what is best.  You might be the best.  Concentrate on your job which is to act and do your best to show your talents and your person.  Be yourself and prepare well and let things happen as they may.

In addition, I want to encourage you to feel good about who you are.  Very few people in this world are skinny skinny.  And that is a good thing.  I am not condoning being overweight and unhealthy.  But if you are healthy and not a size 2 or 0, there is nothing wrong with that.  In fact, when I watched the video, I thought you looked perfect just the way you are.  You are beautiful.  Take care of yourself well and enjoy yourself.  

Also, be realistic about who you are and who you can play.  I am not a small woman either.  So I know that I will never be the gorgeous leading lady.  That is just not the role I was made for.  So when I audition, I aim just to do by best and hope for the role I really want while at the same time being ok with whatever I get.  

I take this approach because I want to trust the director.  They know what is best for the story and that is what I want - a great telling of the story.  

So you always have a chance at a role.  Just remember that there are a lot of things at play in the choosing of someone for a role.   

Does that help you?

Wanda