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Hi - newbie to the forum

My daughter has been invited to a workshop audition for the Sylvia Young agency. This will be her first ever audition and I am just wondering what to expect and how we can be prepared. Are there any members with children who are on their books or who've auditioned for them?

TIA

fudge97

Hello and welcome to NAPM! I'm sure you'll rapidly become addicted!

I'm sorry I don't have any direct experience, though you may find other threads about agencies and auditions helpful. Hopefully there will be someone on the forum with some good hints and tips for you.

Hi there and welcome.

As I understand, the audition is in the form of a workshop. SO as a group they may be invited to improvise a scenario with the other children ( for example a family arguement over the tv remote) - you don't say how old your daughter is. With the older kids they may ask them to sight read a piece.

My advcie is if they ask for a volunteer - tell your dd to put her hand up. SHe has far more chance of being noticed that way; and after all that is the whole purpose - to get noticed. Getting noticed for the wrong reasons is a no no so tell her to behave, be polite and obey instruction, be confident and more important than anything to have a great time and enjoy herself.

Hi and thank you for the kind welcome

I'm having a good read through some of the threads and I'm finding them very informative as this is all new territory for me!

Fudge97

Hi Dogcop

Thanks for the info, that's very helpful. DD is 9, I think the letter says her age group will be asked to read a piece to act out as well as sing and dance if they want to. She's very excited and normally quite confident so hopefully on the right track.

Have you any idea how many children are likely to be in the workshop?

Thanks

Good luck to your DD!

I know this may sound really silly, but whenever my DS went to workshop auditions he always wore a brightly coloured top! Sounds silly, but when there are loads of kids, it makes them stand out, be remembered and easier to describe/refer to when they are discussing the kids (ie "I liked the boy in the yellow t-shirt", as opposed to "I liked the boy who was stood 3rd from the right in the 2nd row"!).

Having said that, I'm sure they will all be given their chance to shine!

Let us know how it goes!

Thanks, that's a good tip, I will see what I can find for her to wear that's nice and bright. I will let you know how it goes, it's in a few weeks' time.

Can you audition for the agency but not the school then?

yes

My DD auditioned for thw agency as she goes to the Saturday school. About 15 children went in at a time and they were split into a couple of groups for improvisation. They cold then sing a song of there choice and dance. If your DD does any dance def recommend that she takes the correct shoes as my DD was adamant she would not be able to wear her tap shoes so didn't take them but came out of the audition saying she should have taken them!! DD said they were really nice and friendly and she came out very happy. My DD didn't get in but it was just before the new year 6 in take so with hindsight think it may have been because of that. The Saturday school is fab if you live close enough

Thanks everyone, just the information I needed, feeling less nervous about it all now

Glad to hear they are friendly. We aren't in London so couldn't attend the Saturday school - wasn't really expecting her to get an audition with them so was quite surprised to receive the letter. I think she will enjoy the experience whatever the outcome.

one of the Summer School teachers recommended my dd audition and she thoroughly enjoyed it. There were quite a few children in her audition and it was v. relaxed. She was 8 at the time and they were asked if they wanted to sing or dance and I think did an improv. My dd sang a song but most of the other children in her audition were too shy to get up and do something by themselves, so I would highly recommend vounteering to get noticed. DD was lucky enough to get in but now we have unfortunately moved away from the London area so it's v. quiet for us on the audition front. Lots of luck to your DD, I hope she has a lovely time.

Thanks Manicmum

DD has a song prepared, and is going to work on a little dance but if it's a choice of one or the other I'm sure she will sing. Looking forward to it now, it doesn't sound too scary (DD is counting down the days, she is not worried about it at all)!

This is such a friendly and helpful forum!

The workshop audition for SYTS is tough and they recall you if they like you. It is split into three an acting peice which is a peice that they supply you with prior to your audition , a song you need to sing and to tak epart in a short dance workshop - you also have an academic test, i think this is only if you get called back. They let you know fairly quickly afterwards- If you dont get in keep trying - my daughter is there and she didnt get in on our first attemp but then she re-auditioned and thank fully got a place. Good luck

That sounds more like the audition for a place at the full-time school.

I think fudge97 was asking about the audition for the SY agency!