Meaning & use
cast in a play
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Meanings
phrasephrasal verb
to be chosen to act a particular role in a theater production.
Grammar: Usually passive: 'He was cast in a play.' The active form takes an object: 'The director cast her in a play.'
Patterns
- be cast in a play
- cast someone in a play
- cast someone as a character
She was cast in a play at the local theater last spring.
After three auditions, he was finally cast in a play by a young director.
The director cast his best friend in a play even though he had little experience.
phrasefixed phrase
the group of actors who perform in a particular play.
Grammar: Here 'cast' is a noun and the phrase means the whole acting company: 'the cast in a play'.
Patterns
- the cast in a play
- a strong cast in a play
The cast in a play usually meets for the first read-through a few weeks before opening night.
A large cast in a play can make rehearsals complicated.
Common combinations
- be cast as the lead
- She was cast as the lead in the school play.
- be cast in the role of
- He was cast in the role of the king.
- the cast of a play
- The cast of the play took a bow at the end.
- a member of the cast
- Every member of the cast had to learn their lines by Monday.
Synonyms and how they differ
- be chosen for a role
- A plain phrase that means the same; 'be cast' is the professional theater term.
- be given a part
- Everyday and slightly less formal; it does not always suggest a formal audition process.
Word family
Commonly confused: cast in a play or cast?
cast in a play vs cast
As a verb, 'cast' has many meanings (throw, shape metal, direct a look). In this phrase it means choosing actors.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
The past participle of 'cast' is 'cast', not 'casted'. 'Casting' is the -ing form and does not fit after 'was' in this passive sentence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cast in a play”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.