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WEK

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 1:56 am
by Kasmum
Any opinions, first hand knowledge of this company?
Many thanks in advance x :)

Re: WEK

Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 5:55 pm
by amo185
My DD would not be where she is without WEK. They have very high expectations and work the kids very hard - but the results are really good. There are four "colour" training companies and the main performance troupe. This year the troupe has had amazing performance opportunities including RAH, main stage at Moveit, West End Live, many top hotels hosting major charity functions and in the summer they are heading for Camp Bestival, Car Fest and Hampton Court Palace. What attracted us was that the colour groups are based on ability and not age - so a very talented 10 year old can be with a less talented 16 year old in one of the training companies. Everyone is auditioned. About 1 in 500 get into the troupe. And everyone is reauditioned regularly. There is no complacency. You have to keep up the standard to remain in the troupe and there is a considerable amount of movement up and down and out of training companies and the troupe. Everything is recorded so there is a lot to practise at home to make perfect and there are detailed and very honest appraisals for everyone every term. This is not a "You are wonderful darling" company. They pin point what your child needs to do to become a viable West End adult performer. It is the most demanding of my DDs musical theatre pursuits but the one that is pushing her the most as a performer. I absolutely recommend auditioning. Workshop auditions are free and give a good indication of standard expected. There are also now places for boy vocalists. Currently there are only 15 members in the troupe following a recent cull, but they are all lovely and supportive of each other.There are around 25/30 in each colour company. Once a WEK always a WEK.
Hope that helps a little!

Re: WEK

Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 1:31 am
by 38ta
Is this really suited to those who live close to London?

Re: WEK

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 5:02 pm
by amo185
Kids travel from everywhere - including Isle of Wight, Coventry, Essex, Surrey, Herts, Suffolk really from anywhere - have even been some in training from abroad (not sure how feasible that is). The training sessions are 3.5 hours (am or pm depending on colour) ; the troupe is about nine hours - all on Saturdays. So not just for London based performers. I expect it depends on the age of the child and whether a parent needs to travel too and how good travel links are into central London.

Re: WEK

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 12:15 am
by Kasmum
Thank you so much, they were advertising for male vocalists, my sons been invited to audition in Aug. Fingers crossed x

Re: WEK

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2017 10:31 pm
by amo185
I've sent you a pm x

Re: WEK

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 10:37 pm
by Kasmum
amo185 wrote:I've sent you a pm x
Pmd you back, so sorry had no notification :?

Re: WEK

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 11:18 am
by Harrypottermouse
Any tips we are due to begin training with them in Blue group after Christmas. We would be travelling in from Newbury area. It's our first type of training anywhere in London.

TIA

Re: WEK

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:35 pm
by amo185
Congratulations on getting a place in WEK Training. Our dd is still in their Troupe and loving it. WEK offers great training in musical theatre and the discipline plus hard work required to be successful There is a cafe area where parents can wait and everyone is very friendly - although the cafe itself is rarely open so parents tend to use Costa etc nearby. It's within easy walking distance of Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations. The training may well feel fast paced and overwhelming at first but everything is recorded and sent to the children via their members' site. Make sure you know how to log into your child's account or ask for your own login as they'll need your support at first. Get your dd or ds to practise hard during the week so that they know the material really well for the next session (well enough not to need to watch the videos or listen to the vocals). Tell them to listen in the training sessions and just have a go. Everyone will be very encouraging! Wear leggings or joggers with jazz shoes or plimsolls and a t shirt initially. Most people in their first term find it quite hard but by their second term get the hang of it! You'll meet Red Training members as well as Blue in the morning then Yellow and Purple come in the afternoon. Good luck on your WEK journey!

Re: WEK

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 5:25 am
by Harrypottermouse
amo185 wrote: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:35 pm Congratulations on getting a place in WEK Training. Our dd is still in their Troupe and loving it. WEK offers great training in musical theatre and the discipline plus hard work required to be successful There is a cafe area where parents can wait and everyone is very friendly - although the cafe itself is rarely open so parents tend to use Costa etc nearby. It's within easy walking distance of Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations. The training may well feel fast paced and overwhelming at first but everything is recorded and sent to the children via their members' site. Make sure you know how to log into your child's account or ask for your own login as they'll need your support at first. Get your dd or ds to practise hard during the week so that they know the material really well for the next session (well enough not to need to watch the videos or listen to the vocals). Tell them to listen in the training sessions and just have a go. Everyone will be very encouraging! Wear leggings or joggers with jazz shoes or plimsolls and a t shirt initially. Most people in their first term find it quite hard but by their second term get the hang of it! You'll meet Red Training members as well as Blue in the morning then Yellow and Purple come in the afternoon. Good luck on your WEK journey!
Thanks for you reply - she is really looking forward to it...I am just trying to plan out her life (hahaha) in terms of her education so getting time to do the practice shouldn't be an issue - how do the various groups work - as in are they age related, or ability etc...or are the different groups generated by other factors - or is this something which comes when we get our log in access...(sorry its all new to us)

Re: WEK

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2018 4:38 pm
by amo185
The colour groups are now arranged in rough dancing ability (technique plus performance and taking direction) from what I understand with no regard to age at all - so there could be 10 to 18 year olds in all groups including the Troupe. There are strong singers in all colour groups. All the groups seem to get on well regardless of age. :D