I Hear You!

OK, I can't believe how many of you responded so quickly! Great comments -- they're all really pertinent, so let's start with this one and I'll tackle more as soon. Here we go:

My new question that comes up every day is, WHY DON'T CASTING DIRECTORS HAVE ANY IMAGINATION!? The roles that I know I'm right for I'm not even being considered for.. As soon as I walk in the door I'm being put into the "showgirl" category. Which is all fine and dandy.. Just not what I'm good at. And not what I want to be seen as. I consider myself to be an average height, but with heels on I look like a giant. But they WANT to see girls in skirts and heels, right? AAAH! such a dilemna shouldn't be a dilemna.

Um. Yeah. You're thinking, "Boneheads," right? But nice boneheads who are just trying to do their job. Keep in mind you're just starting to get out there and these folks don't know you yet-- so they take one look at a pretty young woman who sings and has great gams and they think "I FOUND A HOT NEW SHOWGIRL!" Well, I know you, I know you're smart and funny and sharp as a tack and probably not a showgirl deep inside. If you can, try and enjoy being pretty and leggy enough to be a showgirl. Have faith that as you get to know these casting directors and they get to know you, they will start to see more of what you do. In the meantime, get good at faking the showgirl thing. Lots of biggies started out as showgirls, lots of my brilliant friends get work ($$$) as showgirls and honey, showgirl doesn't last forever. (Unless you're in Vegas and that's a whole different kind of thing.)

Also, casting directors have a different kind of imagination than we do. Just as we think, "Cheese and crackers why don't they see me the way I want to be seen ..." they are thinking, "Those nutty actors, why do they always want to be someone they're not?!" It takes time for them to see who we really are and what we can really do. They are going off first impressions and stereotypes when they don't know you. The important thing is to stick with it, keep auditioning and keep develop relationships with those casting directors.

Rock on.