So much has changed & so much is the same

[Katymac]

I've been re-reading some of my very old posts; & I was surprised by the act that I'm nearly as confused now as I was then

Some bits are clearer but some bits I though I knew are now confused. We are about to start the year <gulp>


So much has changed & so much is the same.....


Wishing lots of luck for everyone auditioning this year - & their mums!!

Maybe we should all sign in here & we can keep track of auditions etc?

[suesmith]

I think we have a long and possibly bumpy year ahead of us Katymac

Auditions, dance exams, mocks, GCSEs, Prom......... the list is endless

I had hoped to apply for earlyish auditions so we could then concentrate on GCSEs but someone has now said don't apply too early as they may forget about you absolutely no idea if there is any truth in that?

Any help or advice will be most gratefully received by all of us I imagine

[Katymac]

Early or late; my biggest issue is getting dd to agree to me or her grandad filling in the forms

If she does they won't be able to read them - on-line would be best but most are paper I think

& all the photos (only 1 medical form that can see tho')

[Katymac]

Just thought - DD has 2 shows as well <gulp>

Looks like it's just thee & me, Sue.........anyone else worried yet or are we just early?

[JayLou62]

Nope, just as anxious.....2 dds auditioning for the same year (2014 entry) - elder dd in Musical Theatre (more singing than dance) and younger dd in Ballet. Costs are a biggie so the bigger schools like Arts Ed, Mountview etc are out. Younger dd auditioning for overseas too (DVD auditions - her ballet teachers are putting them together thankfully as they have done them before) - free tuition and cheaper boarding costs.
Other worries are that younger dd was diagnosed with Osgood Schlatters Disease in January and has been having regular physio. She cut down on her classes for a while and has started to gradually do more. She has a ballet school show (Cinderella) in May at a local theatre; GCSEs; auditions; plus her ballet classes (Mon: Intermediate tap, Advanced pointe; RAD Advanced 1 ballet; Tue: Russian Advanced ballet and pointe; Wednesday: free; Thurs: RAD Advanced 1 followed by RAD Advanced 2; Fri: Russian Advanced ballet and pointe; Sat: Singing (just taken Grade 5 Singing in Musical Theatre); Alternate Suns: Russian Youth Ballet Company.
Older dd has A levels (Biology, History and Chemistry) plus dance classes in Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz (weekdays) plus work (she teaches at a drama/musical theatre school for an hour each week); singing - both Show Choir and singing lessons (just done Grade 8 Singing in Musical Theatre) plus part time theatre school.
Ds moves up to Seniors in October which means more practice (he plays snare drum currently in a Marching Band and competes around the country) - thank goodness we didn't have more children
Good luck to everyone

[Caroline A-C]

OMG JayLou62 - I feel quite exhausted just reading that!!! You certainly have a very busy year ahead of you. I am hearing of more and more people that are looking to go abroad. University is free too!

Suesmith - I don't think there is any truth in being forgotten if you audition early. My ds was told not to even apply until the January by his college. As a result, by the time he actually auditioned (and they were the last auditions for the entire year!), all the DADA's had been offered so that might be something to think about too.

Good luck everybody. Most important thing to remember at the auditions is to enjoy yourself as this will help you relax and show what you can do.

[suesmith]

OMG yes I too feel exhausted reading JayLou62 dc weekly schedule!! Looking at that I really have nothing to complain about

Caroline A-C thank you for that info - I too wondered if that would be the case?

My understanding of the audition process is that you audition - if you are very lucky and they like what they see you are then offered a place - if you have ticked the DaDa box you are then invited at a later date to re audition for a DaDa? On that basis they are offering you a place after your first audition not waiting until they have seen everyone then trying to remember who they liked?? I think possibly Bird College are the exception as they offer Dada or not at the same time they make any offer? Does anyone know if that info is correct?

Dd will probably only audition at four colleges this year - so wanted to get done and then concentrate on GCSEs - although obviously have no idea what dates are offered??

[Caroline A-C]

I am not sure you were invited back to a second audition for a DADA at Arts Ed where my ds is. He did apply once he had been offered a place but there were none left. I am sure there is somebody far more knowledgable than me on this site though who may know more about the process.

[Katymac]

DD is just back from summer school; she is having today off & then tomorrow she starts looking at application forms

We have an exciting life

[suesmith]

which summer school has she done katymac? hope she enjoyed and has come back inspired

[Katymac]

She did Watkins Dance & Arts Ed

We have a big issue - DD is better at Dance but wants to do Musical Theatre. Which colleges do a combined first year? I know Urdang & Millenium do, how about Performers, Bird & Laine?

[suesmith]

I'm no expert katymac - as I'm sure you know but from what I understand - and hope to be true! - they will not be looking for perfectly polished performances in all areas - more something with potential that they can work with, I'm sure not many turn up to audition as a perfect all round triple threat - most have one or two areas they are stronger at and others that will need more work

Don't know much about Performers, Bird - waiting for new website to be up and running ............. since May!! Laine do either MT or Dance but website doesn't make clear at what stage they decide which route you should follow - hoping to find out more at Audition Support day in October - off on hols tomorrow so lots of time to think!!

[Katymac]

Have a lovely holiday

I have to say I have been disappointed with the standard of the websites; several have improved dramatically but I really expected (considering the cost) these colleges websites to be bit more up-to-date. Some have been excellent but some seem years out of date showing things from 2009/2010 & not keeping up-to-date with things like summer schools (once they have passed a holding page should go up until the next one is planned properly). The number of times I ring/email about a holiday course to find out it was last years

Enjoy your holiday we are off next week (but coming back for 2 show rehearsals)

[JayLou62]

Both dds have completed Summer Schools and younger dd is thrilled to learn she has been given the part of one of Cinderella's Stepsisters in Cinderella next year at a local theatre and potential tour up North by her ballet school (Cinderella is being played by Elena Glurdjidze, Senior Principal Dancer at English National Ballet; fairies are being played by vocational ballet students)
Elder dd is working on monologues for LAMDA Grade 7 to be taken in December and for her to be up together for auditions. She is starting on UCAS forms. She was thrilled to pass her Lifeguard qualification so can start earning money now
Younger dd is having photos taken at the end of the month is readiness for application forms for ballet schools.
Hoping to keep organised, but am sure there'll be something that will take us unawares!

[Katymac]

Sounds very busy

Have they got their lists sorted yet; this is where I (sorry DD) have a problem