Teaching my peers!

http://www.thestage.co.uk

Soon, I will be teaching my fellow trainees a few things about my specialism.  Now, rather than ask them to don their red tap shoes and put bows in their hair, (Alex and Rhys would look so cute), I am having to give serious thought to what I can teach them, that will be of any use to them as teachers.

The next few attempts at blogging are going to be sharing my ideas and preparing for this micro-teach-type-thing, and will include various links, such as the one above for The Stage.

Back in the year 1847, when I was a professional dancer, The Stage newspaper only existed in hard copy.  There's something satisfying about drawing a big red circle around a job you'd like to go for, and crossing out all the ones that are irrelevant, but it's so much more convenient to have it all catalogued for you on line!

The Audition Process - Relating to Musical Theatre auditions:

Turn up to the audition early.  Warm up. Be prepared.  Get your bearings.  Don't be put off by the other auditionees, nor intimidated by the people signing you in or handing out numbers.

Wear something smart-casual to sing in - not too laid back, but not too dressy.  Be comfortable.  Tip for the ladies - IF, as happened to me on a few occasions, your legs shake like jelly when you stand up to sing, wear trousers, as it won't give your nerves away as much as a skirt or dress.

Wear, or have with you, appropriate dance clothes and footwear.  Your body needs to be seen.  Perhaps wear a colour that will make you stand out a little, but not too much!

Prepare at least 2 songs and bring sheet music for the pianist.  One up tempo and one ballad.  Depending on the show, you may need a more rocky/pop song, as many of the shows are based on popular  music, i.e. We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia, etc.

Bring a CV and a head-shot black and white photo, either A4 or A5 in size, with your name and contact details written on the back.  It used to always be a black and white photo, partly because of the cost, but now with digital cameras it may be that colour photography is used more.  This is something I will look into.  I intend to send a questionnaire to actors on The Jersey Boys, currently playing at the 'Prince Edward' in the West End.  I have good contacts in the wardrobe department of this show.

Pay close attention to the audition spec.  If it says to bring an Irish folk song and wear a kilt, then don't turn up in a  ball gown with a song from Annie.

If your CV states that you can do back flips, play the piano and juggle, then be prepared to do any of these things.  Seriously!  I auditioned for Barnum; I got through the dancing, I got through the singing and acting.  Then they turned to my CV.  "Oh, it says you're Grade 6 piano, can you play something?" - Having no music with me, I had to play from memory.  Seeing that I had passed my last piano exam 8 years earlier, all I could remember was 'We're Walking in the Air' from The Snowman, and, ironically, 'Memory' from CATS!  Unbeknownst to me, the Musical Director had been the MD on CATS for the past X years.  He held his head in his hands and begged me to stop!  I then had to walk on my hands and do some tap dancing, both of which I could still, thankfully, do.  As a side line, the show got axed before it even got cast, so I do not know if I was successful or not.

And it's often like that.  It can be very demoralising.  You have to believe in yourself.  When you go to the next audition, you can't carry the burden of your failures, but must approach it afresh.  Difficult as it is in action, the best advice is, 'Don't take anything personally'.