Ensemble: Yes or No?

Last night was the first rehearsal for the Oliver! ensemble. We rehearsed three numbers from the play, numbers which require more voices than just the main roles in the scene. The pracice was sort of like a choir rehearsal except a lot more relaxed and raucous (well, you can hardly expect a bar crowd to sound like a church choir).

When I auditioned for a part in Oliver! I was asked to complete an audition information form. In addition to the usual name, address, phone, email, etc. there was a question about which role I was trying out for and whether or not I'd accept being in the ensemble. I thought it was an interesting question and, of course, answered Yes. (I had also listed "any" as the role I was trying out for.) But I had missed this interesting bit of information about the ensemble on the DMTC website:

When you fill out an audition form for any DMTC show, whether it be a Main Stage or a Young Performers production, you will come across the question, "Will you accept ensemble? Yes or No." There are only two acceptable answers to that question:

1. Yes, you will accept a spot in the ensemble if the director offers it to you. Or...
2. No, you will not accept a spot in the ensemble if the director offers it to you.

Please answer that question honestly. Do not say "yes" unless you mean it. Do not say, "Yes, I'll take ensemble," and then, upon having it offered to you, turn around and say, "Oops, I'm too busy." Now the director has to look for someone to fill the slot she or he offered to you based on what you wrote on your audition form. That takes up time the director really does not have.
Reasons to say "no" to ensemble

The best reason: You have years and years of acting experience behind you, even formal training, and years of experience playing principal roles. If that is the case, these next paragraphs are not directed at you. If you have that kind of talent and experience, it will show, and, chances are, the director will only consider you for a principal role, anyway.

Other reasons: If you are not that experienced an actor, but, for whatever reason, you do not want to do the show unless you get a particular role, say "No" to ensemble. Please be honest with yourself. If you will feel too miserable to do the show if someone else gets the part you want, please, just say "No" to the ensemble question before you audition. We don't want you to be miserable. It is okay to say "no" to ensemble if you really do not want to be in it.

While you will be given equal consideration for the roles you are interested in playing, regardless of whether you state particular preferences or say you will accept any part including ensemble, please remember: The fewer roles you indicate you will accept, the fewer the director's options for casting you.

If you really are too busy for a part that a director might offer you, please do not audition at all. Do not waste the director's time and the time of everyone else who auditions. If you are too busy to do the show, you are too busy to audition. Do not audition just because your best friend is auditioning if you, yourself, do not have time to take part in rehearsals and all the performances.
Reasons to say "yes" to ensemble

* You want to do the show because you love it (it is your favorite show or the score features your favorite song or the show is based on your favorite story).
* You love performing in general.
* You want to get more stage experience.
* You want to work with the show's director, music director, choreographer, etc.

Remember that you have a far better chance of getting cast if you are willing to accept any role or ensemble part offered to you as opposed to only wanting particular roles. Only one person can play "the lead," but two or three dozen can be in the show in other roles and ensemble parts.

The fun continues.