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My hair is well past my shoulder blades all one length. I generally wear it in a pony tail or one braid down my back. My 15 year old daughter is trying out for a local Rotary play "The sound of music". I allowed her to convince me to go up on stage last night and sing the Eadlevice (sp). Considering I have never sung that song before and only viewed the movie about three times in my life I didn't sound too bad. With practice I could do really well. I also know I have good stage presence. Tonight when I went to pick up my daughter incidently I drove one hour to do so. In any event I walked in in the middle of reading and was asked if I wanted to read. I hesitated because I wasn't sure Iwanted the part. Before I could answer, I got asked if I would be willing to cut my hair for the part, I immediately said no. Consequently no matter what I said after that the director simply blew me off and ignored the fact that I said over and over that I would be willing to read. I was sort of put out by that experience. On the way home, Ashley my daughter pleaded with me to cut my hair. She said it would be reallyl neat to have a father daughter situation in a local home town play. I know if I cut my hair for this one play , I will hate it after the play is over. It took me over 5 years to grow it. If I don't cut it by next year it will be to my waist and the following year long enough to sit on. I am a dedicated long hair but still would love to be in the play with my daughter. I could possibly get the part of the captain. Are there wigs to make it look like you have short hair for a stage situation? I need some support and suggestions.
you were put on the spot about your hair... very unfortunate. is the haircut request because long hair doesn't fit the character in the reading or because the director thinks men should have short hair?... to not acknowledge your hints about reading says that he won't consider it unless you cut your hair. you could consider a compromise like putting your hair under a hat or something but the director may not go for it.
lessons come difficult; unless you capitulate & undo 5 years of growth in order to perform 1 reading- it may be time to teach your daughter something about sticking to your principles. it doesn't sound like she gets the profound unfairness of asking someone to cut off his or her hair. by not taking you aside & asking in private, the director created a conflict and put your daughter in the middle. personally i wouldn't take part in anything directed by such a person, but that's easy for me to say- i don't have a father-daughter relationship at stake.
good luck.
Thanks for the support. It feels refreshing to read that. I think you are absolutely right regarding the director asking me that in front of the entire cast. I even called the director after I got home last night and left a very nice message asking her to call me for further discussion. She never returned my call. Consequently I believe I will not be in the play, just support my daughter and give her rides etc. I thank all who supported me. I truely have to be true to myself regarding this issue. I believe I will respect myself more for the decision as well as my daughter. My fear is that 20 years from now, my daugher will be in a therapist's office really mad at her father because he wouldn't cut off his hair to be in a play with her that was sooooo important. I think I am exeracerting (sp).
In any evnt thank you all who supported my but my decision is that I will not cut my hair. Perhaps there will be a Native American play I could be in where my hair will be the thing that gets me the part. It certainly seems there could have been a comprimise with wigs etc.
glad to be supportive joseph. i regret that you misunderstood my other post which was directed at 'anon' whose post irked me. perhaps i wasn't very clear at whom i was directing the comment- for that i apologize.
i feel that cutting your hair would be sending the wrong message to a 15-year-old who needs to learn to stand up to people like that director. a dad who takes such a keen interest in his daughters life like you do proves himself to be of great character. you don't have to cut your hair to get that across. you obviously put your daughter first- there ought to be more single dads like you. this message board is like a community of many great people like yourself- your contributions are welcome here.