Hey everyone, I wanted to get your opinion on something. I had a pretty big audition the other day and one of my acting teachers suggested before I go on the audition, that we perform it in class as a cold read. After the scene was done the teacher asked if they could keep script because they liked it so much that they wanted to keep it on file. The next day I run into one of my acting friends and he tells me that this same teacher asked if he knew about the audition and that he would be perfect for the role and wants to get him on tape (I can only assume using my script!) and submit him. Who knows how many other people the teacher put on tape. Now for my question...do I have the right to be upset over this? I just kinda feel lied to and it's bad enough that I'm competing with talent the agencies send out but now I've got my teacher putting up people against me. Or am I just being a baby about it and taking it too personal? Thanks in advance everybody =u)

OMG!! There's absolutely nothing about this story that sounds good (except for your having an audition!) First, you shouldn't have brought the scene to class at all. If you wanted to work on it with someone before the audition, you should do it privately. Next, you shouldn't have given the script to the teacher, and they should never have asked for it! Finally, your teacher sounds like someone who is untrustworthy and unconscionable and the fact that they gave the script to another actor and submitted them for 'your' role is pretty despicable. I'm having a hard time believing they're even a good teacher of acting. Yes, you should be upset about this, and you should tell your teacher that you are, and if it were me, I'd tell everybody else about what the teacher did and never return to their class, (where you're undoubtedly paying money, right? I'd ask for money back... and a fee for providing that audition material! And a commission from the other actor if he gets the job!!) Yeesh! Yeah, this whole story sorta pisses me off. (Ya think?)

Thanks Broadway! I know, I wasn't planning on working on it during the class it just kinda...happened. The whole thing went against my better judgment but I guess I'm going to have to chalk it up as a learning experience at this point. And I am going to confront the teacher about this...I just wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy in my reasoning at being upset over the whole thing. I appreciate the advice and was planning on asking for a refund as well but I didn't even think about asking for an audition and commission fee! =u) I just feel like there was a level a trust between the student and the teacher that was breached and I wouldn't feel comfortable learning in that environment.

Okay, I've calmed down a little now. Some people do bring audition material to class and SOMEtimes it's a good place to work on it, and actors find it useful. But still the teacher shouldn't ask for the material -- an actor might instead say "I can give it to you in a few weeks after the role has been cast". BUT they never should have taken the material and given to another actor for the purpose of auditioning for that same role. (I was, of course, slightly kidding about the commission... but still!!)

It is such a shame people feel the need to be so shady! This is a rough business, and you need to educate youself, read anything you can on line, and protect yourself from all the shady characters out there who are basically in it to rip you off!You can only learn from your mistakes and move on, and everyone who starts out in this business has been taken advantage of in one way or another, your not alone!

Yeah, the whole situation just really upset me and it kept me up most of the night because I was so fired up about it. Okay, I won't ask for the commission fee's =uP but I'm definitely gonna try to get my money back. Thanks for responding, I needed a place to vent!

Yes, an acting class should be set up as an environment of trust, for anybody to learn anything. By its very nature, it requires actors to be revealing. Your teacher betrayed that trust (in a big way) and probably does so with other actors all the time.

[Broadway2Hollywood shakes his head in bewilderment]

Well, you did learn something.

Another thing about the script.... many writers and producers do not want their material to be freely distributed. For many film/TV auditions, like the one I have tomorrow, I've gotten audition scenes with my name watermarked across the page. They put it there so they know that if someone else gets that material, they got it from me. So, no, don't give the scripts to anybody "for their files" or for any other purpose.

Thanks that's a good point and I'll definitely be more careful in the future.

Why not have a grown-up, cool-headed talk with the teacher, share your feelings, and give the teacher an opportunity to explain?

I agree with Michael in that, perhaps, just maybe, there's a logical explanation here? Or perhaps the rumors aren't true?
You'll know by the teacher's response (defensive or admitting) whether you can trust this teacher in the future.

Hey, I thought I would update the situation for anyone who was reading this. I did end up calling the teacher and asked if they were using my script to audition other people and they admitted it but at first was surprised that I was upset at the situation. They eventually admitted wrong doing and could see how I would be upset over this. I was cool and wasn't angry or anything when speaking to them, I just said that I was disappointed because I felt like the level of teacher and student trust was broken and that I didn't feel right coming back to class and asked for a refund...which they refused to give me, saying that I'm leaving because I wanted to not because I'm getting kicked out of the class. We went back and forth on this issue for a bit but I basically just let it go and decided it was best for me to not continue with the class. I talked to a few other old students of the teacher and they weren't surprised that the teacher behaved this way. I've moved on and it felt good to let the teacher know exactly how I felt. Hopefully we both learned something from this experience.