Advice for Theatres Looking to Cast a Dog

Tori Bates and “Sunny” in Annie (Photo: Joan Marcus)

by Chris Peterson

So your theatre wants to cast a dog.

Maybe it’s Annie. Maybe it’s Legally Blonde. Maybe it’s The Wizard of Oz.

But once you decide to use a live animal, the cute part has to come second.

As someone who has been through this myself, first, ask whether you actually need a real dog. Plenty of productions have used plush stand-ins, puppets, or actors in costume and been perfectly fine. But I get the appeal. There is something wonderful about a real dog walking onstage.

That can be magic. It can also go wrong very fast.

A good stage dog needs to be calm before they are adorable. The dog who is sweet at home may not be sweet when the lights come up, and someone is singing two feet away from them. That is a lot for an animal who did not ask to be in musical theatre.

This is where productions need to be honest with themselves. You do not need someone who “loves dogs.” You need a trained handler. This is where my experience failed. You need someone whose only job is to make sure the dog is safe, prepared, and not overwhelmed.

If you do not have that person, don’t cast the dog.

And rehearse with the dog. Not once during tech, and then hope for the best. If the dog is part of the show, then the dog needs rehearsal like everyone else.

You also need a backup plan. Dogs get tired. Have alternate blocking ready. Use a stuffed animal if you have to. The audience will forgive a missing dog. They may not forgive watching a frightened one.

A live animal can make a production feel special. But only if the room is prepared, and the animal is cared for. The dog is not there to save the show. The dog is there to be part of it.

And then, ideally, get a treat.