Nativity! workshop

[TalyaB]

I don't know anything about this one, but Jessica R doesn't only do musicals. I know she cast the kids in the brilliant To Kill a Mockingbird, currently at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park.

[LivingTheDream]

And she cast the three girls who alternate the role of 'Young Elizabeth' in The Audience in the West End (the play where Helen Mirren plays the Queen).

[emi's mum]

They require children who can sing and dance to an excellent standard. They only require 10 as its a workshop and the don't need teams.
A workshop allows the writers and creative team to see what works with actual children. Most new musicals and some films are workshopped this way. We just don't always hear about it.

Hope this helps.

[CatKat_0]

I agree - it also doesn't always mean that the kids picked for the workshop are the same as the movie or production either. Lots of kids get picked to show ideas to potential backers only to find they are not cast in the final production. I think the best approach to take for those kids that get asked to attend is just to have a fun day, learn from the experience and keep an open mind without getting hopes up.

I loved the first 2 movies and would love to see a third one made - they were really funny and a great opportunity to see something that the whole family could watch together - we're usually split between shoot 'em ups for the boys of the household and animated Disney for the girls.

Anyone attending the workshop - have fun and let us know how it goes.

CK x

[mouskouri41]

Thanks,yes that does kind of make sense.I just had not heard of a workshop that you got paid for as it's usually the other way around!In my email it does say they are looking for kids that can sing dance and act to a high standard,but also kids with vulnerabilty and likeability.Looks like great fun whatever happens!

[GreaseIstheWord]

Let's hope they do get paid for attending for 2 weeks, especialy if they need to be there for an early start-rush hour prices!!

[CatKat_0]

Don't think the workshop is for a whole 2 weeks - I think it's going to happen during that 2 week period - unless I've misunderstood.

[Lolalou]

It's a workshop for a musical based on Nativity the film that's in the pipeline directed by Debbie Issitt and is for the whole two weeks.
Debbie Issitt was on the radio last week and revealed the film will be filmed in Coventry this Autumn...
Debbie Issitt used a small batch of agented kids for the film Nativity 2 but all of the kids in N1 and the majority in N2 were cast locally.
Hope the above is helpful.

[Dwafffamily]

Should be good fun for the kids picked I'm sure, good luck to everyone going x

[willali]

So lolalou it is a musical film of a film?? Or is it a theatre show based in a film? I'm all confused now and our agent is no help!

Those that are going what do you make of the requirement to do a dance "to our music" - surely the type of dance will entirely depend on the bloomin music arrrgh

I'm really not cut out for this clearly

[pg]

I'm guessing - which might not be helpful - but can't quite resist:

If they haven't specified what the music will be, then they won't be expecting anyone to have worked out a dance in advance I shouldn't think. They may be looking for responsiveness and imagination and an ability to "go with the flow" - that's what I would be looking for if I were selecting people for a workshop - plus the ability to listen and interpret instructions/directions quickly.

The children will be selected to help the artistic process so they will be given the instructions they need to enable them to do that. If the children need to know something before the audition, then I would imagine this information will also be passed on - but probably there is nothing much to "know". There often isn't. I imagine they will be looking for children with a particular skill-set plus the right kind of personality to be "useful" in a creative workshop.

[mouskouri41]

Hi willali-I had a chat with the agent about the dancing,especially as my dd is not really a dancer,and she said just let her do what she wants really and just be free and natural as poss.As for song-it's the opposite-I feel like she knows too many to choose from!She'd prob like to do a Matilda song but I feel everyone will be doing the same.Exciting but I feel worn out already!

[Dwafffamily]

I didnt get any info about preparing a dance

[Lolalou]

The plans are for a stage musical based on the film.
Just extra info: in the original audition process for the film they did lots of improv and they chose very natural 'quirky' kids. Debbie Issitt the director's films are mostly improvised and the script is very organic .... Though I'm sure they'll have a concrete script for the musical!
Break a leg to workshop hopefuls

[willali]

Dwaffamily-our brief was to prepare a short monologue about yourself, do a verse/chorus of a song and a short dance "to our music". There are two "types" sought- quirky kids and "posher" kids but both must have like ability, cute factor and "make us laugh" and must look like they are in primary school

The more I think about it the less I think it's suitable for my very conventional DD but hey ho.......