Seems like the Same Four Girls Always Get All the Parts.

I'd get my kid involved in activities outside school.

What else are you going to do?
Organize a boycott where students/parents don't participate or attend performances and shows can be only these 4 kids with a near empty audience?
Unless the parents, teachers, PTA and principal can come together and talk about the blatant repetition I'm not seeing how things will change.

Side step it by seeking theater/performing opportunities outside the school.

I'd send an email to the music director and comment that it's been a number of years with the same few kids getting all the starring roles (and be sure you have your facts right on this one), and you wonder how the auditions are held so that various kids get a chance to shine. A public school should give opportunities to everyone in the interest of the arts being vital to all children, while a private theater/music group can award parts in a different way. I think you can say you'd like to see some diversity without saying "they're all white" and "the African American girl is relegated to the beat box all the time." If you accuse them of being racist, you'll make them defensive. But they're also being exclusionary of all the other kids as well. Surely there is a way to offer these opportunities to a broader swath of the student body - that's what I'd say. And I'd leave out that my own child is talented and got cut, because it sounds too personal. You must convey that you'd like to see a wide range of kids get a chance rather than have it be a showcase for the same 4 kids every time, talented as they are.

I would send an email (a very friendly "hey I was just wondering" email) to the school's music director, and go ahead and cc the principal. I would ask for clarification on HOW the parts are cast. At my kids' school the musical director was very up front about the process. Everyone who auditioned was given a part, and the larger parts and solos went to kids who were not only talented, but demonstrated maturity and responsibility, knew how to take direction/criticism well (without tears) and had good listening skills. Sometimes the same kids (usually girls, though not always) were seen in starring roles more than once.
As long as they are transparent about the process you should accept their choices. If you want to be more involved sign up to help out with shows, tickets sales, advertising, rehearsals, costumes, etc. You'll get a great perspective and it's FUN!

go to the principal and the music director and have a conference. Air your issues and tell them that enough is enough. Find out if other parents feel the same way and have them join you at the meeting so they know it's NOT just ONE person sees it.

School and community theaters tend to be very clique, the same people get the leads every year. It's very frustrating for new people or someone with less experience. These are supposed to be platforms for inexperienced performers to learn and gain experience.
You can try to talk to the musical director or principal or both together but I doubt if it will do any good. You are probably going to get an answer such as 'we would never be prejudiced' or 'we understand your frustration but we believe we need to cast the best person for the role'.
These productions are very expensive to produce. Schools and community theaters have to pay a royalty to the playwright or songwriter, they have to carry more insurance, pay custodial staff extra etc. etc. So the justification for playing favorites is they need to be able to sell lots of tickets to help cover costs. And favorite performers tend to sell more tickets.
If you really want your child to be able to perform look for other opportunities in your area. Maybe if he has more experience he will be able to successfully audition for a role at his school.

You do not say what "type" of school this is.

Is this a private school, where these four girls' families have donated huge amounts of money? Is this a public school? Is this year, sixth grade, the last year before everyone leaves to go to a new school (junior high / high school)?

If this is your son's final year in this school, I would not worry about it.

If this is a private school where everyone spends a fair amount of money, I would talk to some other parents to see if any share your concerns and see if you can gain any "insight" (like finding out if these four girls' families are big donors).

If this is a public school, I would send an email to the music director or theater director, explaining these concerns.

I like Mamazita's suggestion on asking "I would ask for clarification on HOW the parts are cast."

That's a really good way to open communication on PROCESS without starting by complaining. Complaining (starting out) sets people on the defensive. That's never good.

Say your son is interested in performing ... open the talk, and somehow bring up the fact that you wonder how these girls get the lead ... but there are ways to do this without complaining. Ask how they get them. As if you're interested.

Sometimes really talented kids with good attitude get the roles, just as really talented sports kids get to be Captains of the sports teams. If however, you don't like the answer or it doesn't sit well with you - then at least you investigated - and you can go to the next person from there, and say you spoke to so-and-so and aren't happy with the response you got, and have some concerns ....

Then I would word it in such a way to sound progressive, as in it would be great if other kids got to experience being the lead .. focus on the other kids, not the 4 girls.

I would not focus on race.

I notice at our school the popular clique seems to get favored by the teachers. It's weird. I assume that's because their parents are also somewhat cliquey at the school. I don't know. Sometimes there's a reason behind it. Maybe that's the case with these 4 girls. I like B's suggestion of looking outside the school for ways to have your son pursue his interest too. If there's already a pattern here for showcasing these 4 girls, you may just create animosity by going against the system. I'd look into it - but wouldn't push it in other words, if you feel it will backfire.

Our girl loved to be in plays and musicals for many years. We have a very active theater program for the youth in our area plus we have a community theatre that does a new play every other month. The youth program has almost always allowed everyone that auditioned to be in the play in some manner. Whether it was a pirate in Pirates of Penzance or a Lost Boy in Peter Pan, they didn't have lines and they did easy dance style choreography as a group. They weren't even on the stage that much.

The last one our girl was in she had a lead part and got to sing a solo. Then another person came in for a Christmas play and he only picked maybe 10 people to be in his production. All the other kids were so sad but they understood that this guy was new.

So now the kids theatre program is doing pretty much what you are talking about. The directors are all picking and choosing just a few kids to be in the plays/musicals now. The joy of auditioning and getting picked then being on stage, even for a few minutes, is gone.

Our girl has auditioned several times and hasn't been selected to be in any of the shows for almost 2 years now. She stopped auditioning after about a year.

I went to a couple of the shows and it was the same few kids in all the lead roles. Each play, same kids, different lines and costumes, but the same kids. We stopped going and spending our money on tickets.

If I had this happening in a school setting I would be sure to speak to the teacher and let them know that it's unfair for the same few kids to do everything.

I might also suggest that they instate a rule that says if you have played a lead in a production in the last year that you cannot be a lead for the rest of the school year. All programs included.

However, if a girl was in a dance and also wanted to sing in another show they wouldn't be allowed to do that. In my mind that takes away the competitive part of auditioning and working hard to get a part.

I think your child might go talk to the teacher and ask them what they can do better so they can win some parts and be able to participate.

maybe they're actually exceptionally talented?

it does seem odd that it's been going on for years. has it always been the same director who keeps picking them? if so i'd speak up and say courteously but firmly that it's time to mix it up a bit.

if it's always different teachers or directors who pick them then it's a bit harder. but you say 'school' as if it's been the same school all along. i'd have a quiet (no drama, no accusation) word with the principal or teacher and see what the response is.
khairete
S.

oh i was a child growing up with this!! i went to a school and tried out for every part, i could only land the background rolls, like a villager in a play, or once i was a tree. when i was a senior i was at a different school. i tried out for a tiny roll thinking i couldn't possibly get anything better and didn't want to deal with the disappointment of trying for a good roll and getting a one line roll. i landed lead roll with first solo. i was shocked! asked the drama teacher like 3x why me.
point of my background story is. find out why its the same kids. and if its favoritism change it! if my mom would of been involved i might of learned sooner that i was as talented as i thought i was. i probably would have more confidence as an adult too.

Either e-mail the principal and the music director, or set up a conference. Don't stew about it.

Is this a private school or a public school?
Are other parents complaining as well?

Race/Color doesn't have anything to do with it. Leave that out. It's about the talent and the kids being able to show their skills/talent. NOT about race/color.

Our schools treat it like the real world. You try out. You either make it or you don't. However, if you don't get a part? you can still help with the production of the play, show, etc. If you don't show up for practice? You might lose your part.

I would consider talking with the choir teacher about your concerns, but in the end there may be very little you can do about it, sometimes favoritism is definitely shown to a certain few and it sucks and is never fair.

I think you could certainly ask what qualities the director is looking for when making casting decisions but honestly I think it is insulting to question the director’s decisions. We have a girl in our school that has a beautiful voice. She likes to be a part of the shows but does not like to be center stage and has no desire for lead parts. I know the girls mother so I know this but most people wouldn’t have any idea why a girl with a beautiful voice would get ensemble parts.

If you have a question or want to make a comment about your son’s role/part then have a talk with the director about him specifically but to bring up your concern about the African American girl that you have acknowledged has in fact gotten the spotlight on occasions I think Is extremely insulting to the director.

My daughter’s have not always gotten the parts they wanted. As I tell them, when they are the director they can make any casting decisions they see fit until then they are to make the most of the role they were given/assigned.

Re: your question what would I do? I would do nothing and let the director do his/her job. I think it is their job to put on the best show possible not give other kids a chance to shine. I may seek private voice or music lessons for my child to make them a better performer so they can get the lead roles at a future recital/performance.

Definitely set up a meeting with people at the school to voice your concerns. That isn't fair.