Was I wrong to quit our amateur theatre group after they asked me to hand over my first speaking part?
I joined a local amateur theatre group in June. It's eight of us, mostly people with day jobs, putting on a short comedy in November. I got a small speaking part, nine lines, and have been practising after work. There's no pay or competition involved.
At last week's rehearsel I missed two cues and lost my place once. The director stopped us, went over it again, and the second run was better. Yesterday she called and asked me to give the part to a member who's come back after a year away. He's done several productions before.
She said I'd still be involved, holding the prompt script in case anybody forgot a line. I said I joined because I wanted to try acting, and if the part was gone I'd rather leave. She now says I'm making it impossible to change anything without somebody sulking. Another member says staying to help is what being in a group means.
I didnt shout or demand the part back. But I also didn't offer to keep helping. The performance is five weeks away and they've got somebody who knows what they're doing. I feel like one messy rehearsal shouldn't have ended my chance, but maybe walking out over nine lines really is childish.