Back in the Saddle

Well, here we go starting another play.  Today I have the hardest job - casting.  I actually dislike casting, it is the hardest thing that I do.  If I could just cast without worring about the kids feelings it wouldn't be hard.  If I could just pick out the best for each part without considering everyone else and what they are going to do, or how they are going to feel then this job would be easy.  But it's not in me to do that.  I worry about each kid, about how they are going to feel about the part that they get.  I want it to be a good experience for everyone involved.  Of course then you also have to think about how hard they are going to work.  You always have those kids who want a bigger part and yet don't really work very hard, they are there mostly to socialize and spend more time talking than anything else.  Then you have those who really aren't that talented and yet they work really hard and so I always like to give them a shot at it, give them something to work for.  Then you have the kids who are scared to death, but still want to do it, so you have to find something for them to do.  I am glad that we don't cut anyone that auditions, because I think that if I had to cut people I could never do this.  I would rather find a part or add a part for another student than to cut them and not give them a chance.  Maybe it's because I'm not very good on the stage myself, so I would never be able to tell someone that they didn't make it.  So, I'm off to find the perfect part for each student and perfect student for each part.  Most of it is just a gut feeling that I go with, and most of the time it's right.