What Would You Do?

The question was posed in class on Thursday, “If you were cast in American Idiot,” a rock opera by Green Day, would you list it on your resume? I think for most people it would depend on what they were auditioning for. If I was auditioning for something on Broadway, like a musical, I would absolutely have it listed as a role I had performed. However, if I was auditioning for an opera, I would definitely be hesitant, especially as a young singer no one has ever heard of. If I had other more operatic roles listed in addition to a role in American Idiot however, I might feel differently.

If I was the individual responsible for the casting of an opera, and I saw someone had a role in a rock opera listed on their resume, I think I would be even more curious about their singing style. I doubt very much that I would write anyone off because of what roles they have taken in the past; my only concern would be how they would perform in this role right now.

Unfortunately I don’t think that the majority of people doing the casting these days share my sort of hippie lets all get along attitude when it comes to opera vs. rock opera, vs. musical theater. It really is disheartening at the lack of respect other genres of music receive. If someone is talented and can perform different styles of music well, I don’t think they should be discriminated against as a result. I remember in Opera Workshop last semester, someone asked the professor if it was true that if you go for your PHD as a performer, that you should not list it on your resume, because it may lead casting directors to believe that you were behind vocally and needed more time to work on your voice before going out on auditions. He professor thought that was ridiculous, but what is going on out there in the world that a question like that even needs to be asked?!?!?!