Assisting roles lead, too
Mary Petrides
Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: Focus
Horatio. Toby. The gentleman caller. Adelaide. Though supporting actors may not have as much prestige as lead actors, Hillsdale thespians insist supporting actors are essential.
"Every part is important to some degree, or the playwright wouldn't have put it in the play," Technical Director in Theater Arts Dave Griffiths said.
Associate Professor of Theater James Brandon agreed.
"We don't want to see one star actor and a bunch of second rates," Brandon said.
Some plays are written with a lead and supporting roles; others are written as an ensemble, where no one particular role stands out.
This distinction is helpful, but not absolute. It can be difficult to define a particular role as lead, supporting or part of an ensemble.
"It happens every year at Oscar time," Professor of Theater George Angell said. "Lines begin to blend."
Senior theater major John Scribner said he prefers supporting roles because he can probe the character without as much pressure.
Some consider the supporting role more difficult to play than the lead role.
"With supporting roles, you're also usually given less information about your character," said senior theater major Katelyn Rasmussen. You're given a lot more freedom but you have to be a bit more creative."
Sophomore theater major Kirsty Sadler agreed, saying sometimes the lead actor absorbs the director's attention, leaving supporting actors to fend for themselves. She said this hasn't been a problem for her at Hillsdale.
The best actors don't necessarily land the lead roles. Directors cast actors based on the actors' theatrical skills, their ability to take on a particular character and how well they work with other actors.
A better actor might get a smaller part because he fits best in that role.
"We're not looking for lead or supporting roles," Angell said. "We're looking for the right actor for the job."
The casting process works differently in the professional world because reputable names and beautiful bodies in lead roles sell tickets, but Brandon said good acting is still a necessity.
"Everyone in those shows, down to crime victim No. 17, is a top-notch actor," Brandon said.
Actors do not need to be stars in order to succeed professionally.
"There are other actors who make a career out of playing the father or the mother or the best friend," Griffiths said.
Scribner said people commonly think that the supporting role is unimportant or "significantly less important."
"A lot of people would say that a supporting role is there for a lead to work off of, but I have to say that if it's a really good play, the supporting role is there for a reason," he said.
Sadler said actors ought not be picky about their roles.
"If you only love the lead, you only love the spotlight," she said. "If you really love acting, you will love any role you get."
"Every part is important to some degree, or the playwright wouldn't have put it in the play," Technical Director in Theater Arts Dave Griffiths said.
Associate Professor of Theater James Brandon agreed.
"We don't want to see one star actor and a bunch of second rates," Brandon said.
Some plays are written with a lead and supporting roles; others are written as an ensemble, where no one particular role stands out.
This distinction is helpful, but not absolute. It can be difficult to define a particular role as lead, supporting or part of an ensemble.
"It happens every year at Oscar time," Professor of Theater George Angell said. "Lines begin to blend."
Senior theater major John Scribner said he prefers supporting roles because he can probe the character without as much pressure.
Some consider the supporting role more difficult to play than the lead role.
"With supporting roles, you're also usually given less information about your character," said senior theater major Katelyn Rasmussen. You're given a lot more freedom but you have to be a bit more creative."
Sophomore theater major Kirsty Sadler agreed, saying sometimes the lead actor absorbs the director's attention, leaving supporting actors to fend for themselves. She said this hasn't been a problem for her at Hillsdale.
The best actors don't necessarily land the lead roles. Directors cast actors based on the actors' theatrical skills, their ability to take on a particular character and how well they work with other actors.
A better actor might get a smaller part because he fits best in that role.
"We're not looking for lead or supporting roles," Angell said. "We're looking for the right actor for the job."
The casting process works differently in the professional world because reputable names and beautiful bodies in lead roles sell tickets, but Brandon said good acting is still a necessity.
"Everyone in those shows, down to crime victim No. 17, is a top-notch actor," Brandon said.
Actors do not need to be stars in order to succeed professionally.
"There are other actors who make a career out of playing the father or the mother or the best friend," Griffiths said.
Scribner said people commonly think that the supporting role is unimportant or "significantly less important."
"A lot of people would say that a supporting role is there for a lead to work off of, but I have to say that if it's a really good play, the supporting role is there for a reason," he said.
Sadler said actors ought not be picky about their roles.
"If you only love the lead, you only love the spotlight," she said. "If you really love acting, you will love any role you get."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Elizabeth Petrides
posted 2/15/09 @ 8:24 AM EST
Supporting roles sound very much like stay-at-home mothers of young children, a vital job, but without all the headlines.
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