How do you attract guys into your youth theatre program and hold on to them for more than one show? It is a common problem with theatre groups, both young and old- not enough guys. To make things worse, the most popular Broadway shows have more males in major singing/speaking roles than they do females. What can you do to help solve this imbalance in male/female roles? Here are a few pointers on how to interest guys in doing a musical and keep them once you have them:
Strategy#1- The show title should be masculine or neutral.
The show can be about a guy (“Robin Hood”, “Aladdin”, for example) or it can have a masculine theme (“The Sword in The Stone,” “Newsies”). If the show does not have a masculine title or theme, then you must emphasize to potential male actors the great male roles available. Show titles that might be off-putting: Cinderella, Annie, Snow White – you get the idea.
Strategy #2- Get them while they’re young.
If you can interest boys in theatre when they are 8 or 9, they may stick with it. It’s harder to pull in new guys by the time they’re 13 or 14 unless their friends recruit them with the promise of hanging out with girls. Even if the leads in your show are being played by high schoolers, try to make room for some younger boys. If you want guys in your shows, you may have to grow your own.
Strategy #3- The costumes and props have to be cool.
Guys in “Robin Hood” should have boots, a feathered cap, a bow and arrow (not a real one!). Let them wear their costumes once or twice on stage early in production to get a feel for their character. Boys (and girls, too!) feel more at ease on stage if they have a prop of some kind.
Strategy #4- Give the kids plenty of opportunity to interact socially. Plan social activities before or after rehearsals, have great cast parties with dancing, ask kids to help one another with lines, choreography, etc. Work on making your actors into a socially connected group.
Strategy #5 – Ask girls if they are willing to play a male role.
Middle school kids are especially conscious of their bodies and playing the opposite sex would be uncomfortable. But there are some girls who would find it fun and adventurous to play a male role, especially if it’s a good role. Before auditions begin, ask ALL the girls, and you might get one or two who are game to give it a try.
Strategy #6 – Try an original musical.
There are plenty of original musicals available that were written specifically for young actors, and for that reason, have more major female roles. Even though they may not have the initial attraction of a popular animated movie musical, if the kids are excited about their role in it, their friends and family will be delighted to come to the show.
It takes a while to build up a group of great male actors but start now and within a few years you may have a group of experienced male actors to play those big roles.
SpotlightMusicals.com
