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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Apr 5, 2021 0:28:07 GMT
When I saw A Chorus Line at Oxford Old Fire Station Theatre in 2019 (a five star amateur production) a lady with a clipboard, paper and pen sat next to me in the front row just before curtain up. I first assumed she was a reviewer but she was actually playing the Director. It made my visit extra-special to sit next to a leading performer throughout a musical. Loved the show and will definitely be at Leicester Curve. Is that a usual set up for A Chorus Line or was I just lucky ? Yes, It is the usual set up...not sure how much space if any they leave roundabout the director as I've only seen this at the Palladium? and I was up in the gods Thanks, I shall try to work out from the seating plan when it goes on sale where the director is likely to be sitting and book accordingly. Now I think again there was probably an empty seat between the director and me, where she put the clipboard when not writing notes. |
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Post by Oleanna on Apr 5, 2021 10:36:34 GMT
Zach stands at the back of the auditorium in the Bennett production, but this production may have them positioned elsewhere.
How much of the choreography Zach does also depends on how good a dancer is cast. If it’s star cast, Larry normally covers everything, but in the case of John Partridge, he did the opening combo etc. himself.
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Post by saral on Apr 5, 2021 10:38:27 GMT
Yes, It is the usual set up...not sure how much space if any they leave roundabout the director as I've only seen this at the Palladium? and I was up in the gods Thanks, I shall try to work out from the seating plan when it goes on sale where the director is likely to be sitting and book accordingly. Now I think again there was probably an empty seat between the director and me, where she put the clipboard when not writing notes. Just had a quick look at the seats, for each performance 6 seats, CTR, in the back two rows of the stalls are unbookable, i would have expected them to be nearer the front but all those seats are bookable...just to give you something to work on |
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Post by danb on Apr 5, 2021 11:44:07 GMT
I can’t remember very much about the Palladium version. I’d moved to an aisle seat nearer the back because my side stalls seat was tiny and crippling me. Where was Zach sat? I remember VHB being excellent but can’t remember anyone else in it. Edit: I remember the featured Strallen being off.
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Post by QueerTheatre on Apr 5, 2021 19:38:15 GMT
I was in the stalls for the palladium production, and similar seats for the Broadway revival and I can’t for the life of me remember Zach being sat in the audience? Maybe I just missed him, but I thought it was an unembodied voice until he walks on stage ‘from the stalls’, but cheated to seem as if he’d been sat there all along, when actually he’d been back stage?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2021 23:41:26 GMT
I hope it's better than the Palladium production. Why cast someone as Maggie if they can't belt the big money note in 'At The Ballet'.
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Post by dazzerlump on Apr 8, 2021 11:19:40 GMT
Ive never really tried booking on the day tickets were released but for whatever reason this still isnt available to book??
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 8, 2021 12:36:42 GMT
Forgot to check at 12, but this is live now. Have booked. Not selling very quickly yet, but that’s often true of shows at the Curve.
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Post by david on Apr 8, 2021 12:54:10 GMT
I’m looking to book for this this and never been to the Curve. Are there any sight line-issues with the height of the stage from the front row? Thanks.
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Post by stevej678 on Apr 8, 2021 13:32:13 GMT
I’m looking to book for this this and never been to the Curve. Are there any sight line-issues with the height of the stage from the front row? Thanks. No, just restricted legroom in the seats at either end of the front row. |
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Post by FrontrowverPaul on Apr 9, 2021 1:09:25 GMT
Good to see Saturday 4 December half price previews including a matinee. We're combining A Chorus Line with Bring it On at Peterborough (a week there prior to the run at the Royal Festival Hall).
Only an hour journey between the two by car or train.
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Post by stagebyte on Jul 25, 2021 7:36:59 GMT
So, a little disappointed in my favourite theatre
They just announced unpaid ‘voluntary’ roles for ensemble roles in this professional production. Roles are allocated via audition so I guess the expectation is the creatives at Curve will cherry pick the cream of dancers from a pool of talented amateurs or out of work professionals keen to work with Nikolai Foster and Ellen Kane for ‘experience’
After the last 18months just employ professionals and pay them Curve?
Thoughts?
CURVE theatre, Leicester are looking for 20 male and female local dancers, aged 16 and over, to appear as ensemble cast members in their Christmas 2021 musical, A Chorus Line.
Young ensemble members will play or cover the roles of Vicki, Tricia, Lois, Frank, Butch, Roy and Tom – young dancers who audition for infamously tough director Zach in the first number of the show, ‘I Hope I Get It’, but don’t quite make the cut.
Roles will be non-speaking and part of a significant dance and vocal sequence at the opening of the musical. Successful applicants will work with Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Olivier and Tony Award-nominated Choreographer Ellen Kane and Musical Director Tamara Saringer on the production - please note this is a voluntary opportunity.
The musical will rehearse at Curve between 1-25 November 2021 (some weekday evenings and Saturday mornings), with technical rehearsals from 26 November-2 December 2021 (evenings and some daytimes), followed by performances between 3-31 December 2021, with further performances possible in the week of 3 January 2022.
Applicants must be fully available in Leicester from Monday 1 November 2021 until Sunday 9 January 2022 and performances will be shared between two teams of dancers.
Applicants must have a playing age of 18 – 30 and must be strong, confident dancers and confident singers. The opening sequence’s choreography will feature a mix of musical theatre, jazz and ballet styles.
Curve encourage applications from racial and cultural groups, classes and backgrounds, and welcome submissions from anyone meeting the casting criteria, in particular those underrepresented on our stages including migrant actors and those who speak English as an additional language, D/deaf and disabled performers and transgender artists.
Group auditions will take place on 11 September 2021, with the deadline for applications on 29 August 2021 at midnight.
To apply for an audition, please contact Senior Producer at Curve, Tess Ellison, on t.ellison@curvetheatre.co.uk with the applicant’s name, age and school year (if applicable), date of birth, headshot or head-and-shoulders photograph, a brief description of your dance and performance experience and details of a next of kin or emergency contact.
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Post by danb on Jul 25, 2021 7:55:46 GMT
That really is a bit rough isn’t it? I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of this going forward.
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Post by stagebyte on Jul 25, 2021 8:04:01 GMT
‘What I did for love’ literally cos they ain’t paying.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jul 25, 2021 9:21:27 GMT
Well do note it says the word "local" dancers, which in my mind only puts this in the same category of their ongoing community projects that they have bee doing for years, giving talented local people the opportunity to put on a show or be part of a production, in the same way they give local kids the opportunity to the same and appear in their shows, like they do every year in the Christmas show. I'm not seeing any difference. There hasn't been the opportunity for two years to put on a community production so it seems like this is killing two birds with one stone because it also means they don't have to pay out for 10 cast members who don't even speak or have any major role. It's easy to say "just pay professional actors" well yes but this is also a business that hasn't been able to operate fully in the last two years and came close (a lot closer than many people think) to having to close, so.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 25, 2021 9:27:57 GMT
There should be a compromise though. If people are prepared to turn up and rehearse for no pay that’s one thing, but when it gets to the actual performances in front of a fully paying audience? That’s the line I’d draw. Even if it’s only for minimum pay, they should be compensated for that.
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Post by stagebyte on Jul 25, 2021 11:42:45 GMT
Well do note it says the word "local" dancers, which in my mind only puts this in the same category of their ongoing community projects that they have bee doing for years, giving talented local people the opportunity to put on a show or be part of a production, in the same way they give local kids the opportunity to the same and appear in their shows, like they do every year in the Christmas show. I'm not seeing any difference. There hasn't been the opportunity for two years to put on a community production so it seems like this is killing two birds with one stone because it also means they don't have to pay out for 10 cast members who don't even speak or have any major role. It's easy to say "just pay professional actors" well yes but this is also a business that hasn't been able to operate fully in the last two years and came close (a lot closer than many people think) to having to close, so. Yes and their full community productions are wonderful and are cast fully from the local community. I |
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Post by stagebyte on Jul 25, 2021 11:49:22 GMT
So, a little disappointed in my favourite theatre They just announced unpaid ‘voluntary’ roles for ensemble roles in this professional production. Roles are allocated via audition so I guess the expectation is the creatives at Curve will cherry pick the cream of dancers from a pool of talented amateurs or out of work professionals keen to work with Nikolai Foster and Ellen Kane for ‘experience’ After the last 18months just employ professionals and pay them Curve? Thoughts? CURVE theatre, Leicester are looking for 20 male and female local dancers, aged 16 and over, to appear as ensemble cast members in their Christmas 2021 musical, A Chorus Line. Young ensemble members will play or cover the roles of Vicki, Tricia, Lois, Frank, Butch, Roy and Tom – young dancers who audition for infamously tough director Zach in the first number of the show, ‘I Hope I Get It’, but don’t quite make the cut. Roles will be non-speaking and part of a significant dance and vocal sequence at the opening of the musical. Successful applicants will work with Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Olivier and Tony Award-nominated Choreographer Ellen Kane and Musical Director Tamara Saringer on the production - please note this is a voluntary opportunity. The musical will rehearse at Curve between 1-25 November 2021 (some weekday evenings and Saturday mornings), with technical rehearsals from 26 November-2 December 2021 (evenings and some daytimes), followed by performances between 3-31 December 2021, with further performances possible in the week of 3 January 2022. Applicants must be fully available in Leicester from Monday 1 November 2021 until Sunday 9 January 2022 and performances will be shared between two teams of dancers. Applicants must have a playing age of 18 – 30 and must be strong, confident dancers and confident singers. The opening sequence’s choreography will feature a mix of musical theatre, jazz and ballet styles. Curve encourage applications from racial and cultural groups, classes and backgrounds, and welcome submissions from anyone meeting the casting criteria, in particular those underrepresented on our stages including migrant actors and those who speak English as an additional language, D/deaf and disabled performers and transgender artists. Group auditions will take place on 11 September 2021, with the deadline for applications on 29 August 2021 at midnight. To apply for an audition, please contact Senior Producer at Curve, Tess Ellison, on t.ellison@curvetheatre.co.uk with the applicant’s name, age and school year (if applicable), date of birth, headshot or head-and-shoulders photograph, a brief description of your dance and performance experience and details of a next of kin or emergency contact. How very interesting - since I posted that info this morning the audition. Criteria has changed! Gone is the wording for playing ages of 18-30, headshots, strong confident dancers and singers and the three month commitment. All of which made for them sounding like they were trying to get in professionals for free And been replaced by this! ****** We have updated this announcement in response to some questions we’ve had. We are looking for up to 20 young, locally-based, non professional (and non professionally trained) dancers aged 16 – 18 years old to appear as part of our community ensemble in Curve’s Christmas 2021 musical A CHORUS LINE. Please read on for more information about the musical, brief, dates and how to get involved. THE SHOW AND ROLES A CHORUS LINE is set in New York City, in 1975. On an empty Broadway stage, performers are put through their paces in the final, gruelling audition for a new Broadway musical. Young community ensemble members will feature in the scene where dancers audition for the infamously tough director Zach in the first number of the show, “I Hope I Get It”, but don’t quite make the cut. We are not looking for professional or trained actors or dancers- instead we are hoping to bring together an ensemble for the opening of our show to celebrate our local community. Everyone taking part in the scene will be non-speaking, but they will take part in a dance and vocal sequence at the opening of the musical. Those taking part will work with Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Olivier and Tony Award-nominated Choreographer Ellen Kane and Musical Director Tamara Saringer on the production. Please note this is a fully voluntary opportunity. PRODUCTION DATES The musical will rehearse and play in Leicester as follows: • Rehearsals at Curve between Monday 1 November – Thursday 25 November 2021 * • Technical Rehearsals at Curve between Friday 26 November – Thursday 2 December 2021 (evenings and some daytimes)* • Performances at Curve between Friday 3 December – Friday 31 December 2021, with further performances possible in the week of 3 January 2022 Full dates for the production are listed below. Applicants must be fully available in Leicester from Monday 1 November 2021 until Sunday 9 January 2022. Performances will be shared between two teams of dancers. *Please note the community ensemble will only be required for a very limited number of rehearsals which will mostly be scheduled in the evenings and at the weekend to fit around school/college and work. Whilst we hope everyone will be available throughout the run, you will not be needed for every show and each ensemble member will normally only be required for up to four performances a week. CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS Applicants must be aged 16- 18 years old (in year 12 or above) with a ‘playing age’ of up to 30 years, and must be confident dancers and singers. The opening sequence’s choreography will feature a mix of musical theatre, jazz and ballet styles- no formal training in these areas is required! Inclusivity sits at the heart of our work at Curve. We encourage applicants from all racial and cultural groups, classes and backgrounds. We welcome submissions from anyone meeting the age criteria, in particular those underrepresented on our stages including individuals from migrant communities and those who speak English as an additional language, transgender young people and participants who are D/deaf and disabled. HOW TO APPLY The team at Curve will meet everyone who applies and will select up to 20 people to take part in the ensemble. Group workshop auditions will take place on Saturday 11 September 2021. The deadline for applications is Sunday 29 August 2021 at midnight. To apply for an audition, please contact Tess Ellison, Senior Producer at Curve on t.ellison@curvetheatre.co.uk with the following information: – Name – Age and school year (if applicable) – Date of birth – Head-and-shoulders photograph. Please note this doesn’t need to be a professional headshot; it just needs to be a clear picture so we know who you are when you take part in the workshop. – A brief description of any dance and performance experience at school or college, amateur dramatics etc. Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience, this is a great place to start! – Details of a next of kin or emergency contact If you have any questions, you can also call Tess on 0116 242 3562. FULL DATES |
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Post by TallPaul on Jul 25, 2021 11:53:45 GMT
Bit of a backlash then?
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Post by stagebyte on Jul 25, 2021 11:56:29 GMT
Sounds like it. It’s gone from a full ‘Director Zach’ spec to 16-18 year olds and ‘a celebration of the community’ You don’t need ANY dance experience but will be participating in the opening number (I paraphrase) The ‘cuts’ will be easy then any non dancers would make the first step in that number and cry |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 25, 2021 11:59:03 GMT
So they’re going to use non trained dancers because the first cuts are supposed to be a bit rubbish anyway so it doesn’t matter?
Oh dear!
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jul 25, 2021 12:07:56 GMT
Do you need to be trained to be able to dance or pull off some moves?
As I said it's earlier it's about getting the community involved again on stage, which Curve do for most of their Christmas musicals, quite normal. It's just a Curve quirk. I think this is all a bit moany for moany sake.
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Post by stagebyte on Jul 25, 2021 12:11:18 GMT
Not moany at all and they’ve obviously changed their spec as lots of people must agree with me. I love the Curve and their ethos. They needed to do better - and they did
I would say you would need to be able to dance to a high standard to pull off the opening number.
As for the point further up that the original shout out was no different to casting (unpaid local kids) for panto.
I’ve never agreed with that either.
Pantos get the double whammy of using kids for free and the revenue from the tickets their adoring families buy.
If it’s a professional production all actors should be paid. As long as people are prepared to work for ‘the experience’ or fun producers get away with the pervasive culture of performers being undervalued and expendable.
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 25, 2021 12:13:21 GMT
They did this with West Side Story last year and it was an absolute disaster...load of youth theatre kids came on and did some weird dance in Somewhere which was awful.
Count me out thanks
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Post by stagebyte on Jul 25, 2021 12:17:06 GMT
They did this with West Side Story last year and it was an absolute disaster...load of youth theatre kids came on and did some weird dance in Somewhere which was awful. Count me out thanks Oh dear. This makes me more curious. If they regularly insert ‘local performers’ ie free in their productions why was the original audition spec worded differently and only changed after ‘questions’ 🤔 |
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