what do i do??????

[mikaytay]

Hi all, can anyone give me any advice im new to all this!!!!!!!!!! my 11 year old daughter really wants to DANCE in the west end, shes has danced since she was 2, ive read alot on here about agents and auditions which sounds soooo confusing to me lol.
we live in yorkshire which isnt ideal as not much opportunities up here, she has attended the royal ballet school and recently did a pineapple musical theatre summer school which has now give her a fire in her belly to take this up professionally................ please any advice xxx

[Panda]

Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you? ie more North or south?

[islandofsodor]

Though he does not work in the dance department my dh teaches at a college that has lots of ex students inthe West End.

You dd needs to be studying ballet (essential) tap and modern with maybe jazz as well then look into auditioning for one of the major colleges (look at the ones that are CDET accredited). As she approaches that age she can attend open days or summer taster courses. As a rough guide she would need to be about Advanced 1 level but they go completely on audition not on Grades taken.

The emphasis is now on being triple threat (dh is a vocal coach and all the dance students at his college have to study singing too) so as she gets older perhaps some private vocal lessons. At college open days ask what the provision is for dancers in terms of singing and drama. Some will provide classes, some will provide one to one coaching and some will expect the students to supplement this privately.

[mikaytay]

Hi, she is grade 4 ballet (she has just also won a BADTA schollership) grade 3 tap, grade 3 modern and jazz, she also does acro, she has attended many workshos with westend stars etc, won local ballet and tap championships, she jus loves to dance!!!! we live in south yorkshire so its tough up here not much happening, i have found this site more usefull than google lol x

[Welsh Mum]

As the process relies so heavily on audition, then your DD should take every opportunity to perform on stage as well as get her grades. There will probely be amateur theatre societies wherever you live, and most will want dancers at some stage. It may be worth looking at the programme for a seasonatf a local theatre -= this will give you some idea of amatuer societies and groups. Performance skils are so important so all experience is worthwhile - don't worry whether it is amateur or paid work.

[jasmine2]

She sounds very talented..
Have you tried auditioing for West End touring shows that go to near where youlive. like Chitty or Sound of Music?

Good luck for her future,x

[pg]

It may be worth looking at the programme for a seasonatf a local theatre -= this will give you some idea of amatuer societies and groups.

Also worth (and this is the time to do it) looking at any theatres near you that put on pantomimes and contacting the theatre management to find out more about them. It is quite common for theatres to take on local children in dance troupes for pantomimes. The pay is negligible or non-existent, but the experience and contacts can be very useful.

[mikaytay]

Hi, thanks for ur replies, our local theatre have nothing to do with panto its pantoni who sort everything and they go to 1 dance school (always the same 1) and use there girls always have, inside polotics, the woman who runs the dance school works for council and organises the girls work permits!!!! so its easier for them to just go back even tho its not one of the better dance schools in our area, shame really but thanks anyway, oh and ive shes already missed sheffields panto auditions they were in JUNE!!!!