is this weekend. Anyone attending???

My daughter and I won't be attending. She got as far as a work session with Binder Casting. She was very excited. Unfortunately she didn't get the part. She was a little hurt but moved on. She wants to audition again but isn't too keen about the open calls.

How realistic do you think it is for children who are Caucasian to audition for this production? Have they ever offered a role to any boys or girls of any ethnicity other than African-American? Just wondering.

Do you think they are actually looking to cast right now? Aren't they required by Equity to do an open call every so often?

lightsonbway:
my (caucasian) daughter went to a lion king audition last year, or earlier this year i guess. it was absolutely ridiculous. the line stretched around the block in harlem, and it was around 10 degrees. she didn't even make the first cut. she's never not been called back or made the first cut. we later talked to a good friend who is friends with the casting director, and he said a caucasian child has never been offered a role. doesn't matter how talented they are, i think it's just not going to happen.

One of the girls on my DD"s current tour was on Lion King last year. Although she got in through an agent, the other Young Nala got in through the open call- 800 kids.

Even if they don't use caucasian kids they do have casting people there from Disney who are always looking 4 the next big thing. So it's probably a good idea to go. I emailed my oldest daughters headshot(hispanic) last time because I couldn't make the open call(and she wanted to go) and they called us for more info. She's not a singer so they weren't inerested. Disney looks for the whole package. Good luck to anyone who attends.

and when are the aauditions? and what is he age range. thanks

8-12 under 58" at NJPAC in Newark on Sat.

I'm not sure if they've ever casted any caucasian children!

quote:

Originally posted by Drama Diva:
I'm not sure if they've ever casted any caucasian children!

Never have...and I've been told they never will. But for some it may be an opportunity to get in front of casting.

Kipmil,

If you go to Binder casting's website it states that all ethnicities are encouraged to attend....that's not fair.

We saw it this past July and the Young Nala was a serious superstar!!!She was awesome! She is the one that had been in The Color Purple-so I am assuming she is the one with the agent.
Young Simba was a little different-he needed benadryl or something as he was itching and looking out to the audience quite a bit. maybe it was his first show.
Is it against the law to say-no caucasions? Maybe that's why.
I just sat through a Madeline's Christmas-and Madeline was black. So it can be done-but I think it is safe to say-thepreference is African American kids.
BTW-Scar was caucasion when we saw it. But that was about it.

My daughter had gotten called in for a Lion King audition a few months ago. It was very well organized and everyone was given a time. We got there 10 minutes before our time and one girl was coming out. My daughter got called in at her exact call time.

Unfortunately she didn't get a callback but it was still a great experience for her.

quote:

Originally posted by Drama Diva:
Kipmil,

If you go to Binder casting's website it states that all ethnicities are encouraged to attend....that's not fair.

Yes, that is always the case with casting for this show, all ethnicities are encouraged to audition, but if you ask any agent or manager what the chances are, they will point to the casting history. As always, every opportunity to get in front of casting is a good thing. I don't know if I would say it is not fair...it just is what it is.