Category Archives: General Information

Countdown! One week to go…..

Have you got your ticket yet?

Wednesday October 31, 2012 / 10:30 - 13:30 / , LondonAt next week’s event, TV talent show audition secrets, 10 lucky attendees will be chosen on the day to perform their audition song for TV’s Donna Soto-Morettini. As the woman who recently coached Ben Forster to victory in Superstar, Donna knows exactly what it takes to deliver a stand-out audition.

Benefitting from Donna’s extensive experience working on all of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s reality TV shows, the 10 performers will receive practical feedback on their audition song. Whether you perform your song or observe the re-direction process, you’ll learn fantastic tips and find out exactly what it takes to make an impact at a TV talent show audition.

‘Donna is fantastic, she has a wealth of experience talent & insight … as well as directing & acting she can sing too! Love her X’ Roger Wright (Superstar finalist) on Twitter

  You’ll come away from this session with:
  1. An excellent understanding of what a television producer looks for in TV singing contestants.
  2. The ability to select a song that will help you stand out from the crowd.
  3. Insight into the full TV experience, helping you assess whether it will help or hinder you in achieving your career goals.

The session format will give you the chance to ask questions of our expert and network with your peers. You’ll take away a handout that will help you implement everything you’ve learnt.

Key topics:

Donna has trained professional actors and singers for 20 years. She has held top departmental roles at three drama schools, written several books on performance and since 2007, has worked on many high-profile TV shows including SuperstarThe Voice,Popstar to Operastar and Over the Rainbow. She will share all her experience in this session as she discusses these subjects:

Do you understand the TV talent show format?
Whether you’re auditioning for a record deal or a role in a West End show, the TV talent show experience is entirely unique. Donna will discuss what sets the format apart from any other auditions you are likely to encounter and how it could provide an alternative means of furthering your career.

Choosing a great song
Understanding your voice is essential for selecting a song that will get you noticed. With Donna’s advice, you’ll gain a better understanding of your vocal qualities, enabling you to choose a song that showcases your talent appropriately.

What is the audition panel looking for?
Donna’s insights will help you understand the television producers’ criteria, so that you give the panel what they want.

Delivering a stand-out performance
You have between thirty and ninety seconds to wow the audition panel. How do you ensure you deliver a knock-out performance? This session will look at what you can achieve in less than two minutes of unaccompanied singing. Donna will explain what sets a great audition apart from a merely good audition.

How will it affect my career?
Taking part in a TV talent show isn’t the right choice for everyone. The session will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether the format will enhance or detract from your career.

The expert
Donna Sotto-Morettini served as Director of Drama for the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, Head of Acting and Dance for Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and Head of Acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

Since 2007 she has worked as a Casting Director and Performance Coach for television, and credits include How Do You Solve a Problem Like MariaAny Dream Will DoI’d Do AnythingOver the Rainbow (BBC), Popstar to OperastarSuperstar (ITV), and The Voice (BBC).

She is the author of Popular Singing, The Philosophical Actor (winner of the Choice Award for Outstanding Academic Title 2011) and her book, Mastering Auditions: How to Perform Under Pressure will be published by Methuen in September.

Is this session for you?
This session is recommended for anyone who wants to audition for a TV casting or singing competition, or those who have tried and want to give it another shot. It is suitable for performers at any level, from beginners to experienced professionals.

Fancy a break?

 So did they… and look at them now!

It seems some UK TV talent shows such as Britain’s Got Talent and maybe even The X Factor are productions that most professional performers wouldn’t dare to audition for, as these shows have the potential to taint ones reputation and be portrayed in a negative light to the entire nation (not forgetting the rest of the world via YouTube!).

However, auditioning on such shows like Jesus Christ Superstar, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?  and The Voice UK can have its advantages (… even if you don’t win). Below are a talented bunch of performers who gave it a shot at auditioning for a TV talent show and haven’t looked back since!

Will Young

Then: Winner of Pop Idol 2002

Now: Successful music artist and recently landed a starring role in a West End production of Cabaret

Lenny Henry

Then: First appearance in New Faces

Now: Successful national comedian, show host, voice over artist and much more.

Cassie Compton

Then: Finished 5th on The X Factor UK 2004

Now: Cassie has carved a successful Musical Theatre career with roles in Les Miserables, Dirty Dancing and Wicked. She is set to start in new musical Monkee Business.

Amy Booth-Steel

Then: Contestant on I’d do anything 2004, voted off in first hurdle.

Now: Will be in Sister Act on stage 2013

Diversity

Then: Won 3rd series of Britain’s Got Talent

Now: International tours!

Aoife Mulholland

Then: Contestant on How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

Now: Starred in London’s West End show Legally Blonde

And the list goes on….

__________________________________

Victoria Wood

Danielle Hope

Leona Lewis

Ashley J Russell

Alex Gaumond

Samantha Barks

Daniel Boys

Rachel Tucker

Sarah Lark

Marcus Collins

Helena Blackman

Before you submit that audition application, get your skills up to scratch with tips and advice from a top performance coach who has worked on Superstar and The Voice UK

For more information or to book click here

Should professional performers audition on a TV talent show for exposure?

Have you got what it takes to be the star of the next TV talent show?

Love them or hate them, there’s no denying that the TV Talent show has become a legitimate alternative way to launch a performing career. There is both risk and reward in the process, and knowing just what it takes to succeed could be a valuable weapon in your ‘audition arsenal’. If you’ve watched TV casting shows like Superstar or singing competitions such as The Voice and think you could be a serious contender, then don’t miss this half-day session.

Our expert Donna Soto-Morettini has worked as a casting director and performance coach on numerous TV talent shows. She’ll give you the lowdown on the TV format so that you are fully equipped to seize the opportunities presented by this potentially life-changing experience.

TV talent show audition secrets

Wednesday October 31, 2012 / 10:30 - 13:30 / , London

To book or for more information visit http://bit.ly/TVtalent

Have you got what it takes?

Are you planning to audition for next years X Factor or perhaps you want a shot at appearing on The Voice?

Love them or hate them, there’s no denying that TV Talent shows have become a legitimate alternative way to launch a performing career. There is both risk and reward in the process, and knowing just what it takes to succeed could be a valuable weapon in your ‘audition arsenal’.

Have you thought about how to prepare for such an audition? Do you know what the judges are really looking for in an auditionee? You may be very talented but is that enough to get you through to the next stage of the competition process?

Join us on the 31st October 2012 at The Prince of Wales Theatre and meet our expert Donna Soto-Morettini, Casting Director and Performance Coach. 

Donna has worked in the industry for over 20 year casting and coaching for TV shows such as The Voice and more recently Jesus Christ Super Star. Below is a video of Donna in action.

You’ll come away from this session with:

  1. An excellent understanding of what a television producer looks for in TV singing contestants.
  2. The ability to select a song that will help you stand out from the crowd.
  3. Insight into the full TV experience, helping you assess whether it will help or hinder you in achieving your career goals.

The session format will give you the chance to ask questions of our expert and network with your peers. You’ll take away a handout that will help you implement everything you’ve learnt.

Is this session for you?
This session is recommended for anyone who wants to audition for a TV casting or singing competition, or those who have tried and want to give it another shot. It is suitable for performers at any level, from beginners to experienced professionals.

 For more information or to book visit http://bit.ly/TVtalent

Would you go to this extent to get into character?

Antonia Campbell-Hughes, the British actress playing Natascha Kampusch in a new movie about the Austrian kidnap victim, has revealed her extreme weight loss for the role.

Skinny… Antonia Campbell-Hughes looking gaunt on the red carpet (Copyright: WENN)

Best known for playing Sam in BBC sitcom ‘Lead Balloon’, the 30-year-old star stepped out at the premiere of Tim Burton’s ‘Frankenweenie’ in London looking frail and gaunt.

More natural… Antonia Campbell-Hughes in 2008 (Copyright: WENN)The Northern Irish actress is currently filming ‘3096’, which tells the story of the Austrian girl who was abducted at the age of 10 and held captive in a cellar for eight years.

The film is named ‘3096’ after the number of days she was imprisoned by kidnapper Wolfgang Priklopi (played by Thure Lindhardt) and will detail the years Natascha was held hostage from 1998 until her escape in 2006.

Source

Have you entered yet?

We have 6 copies of Mastering the audition by  Donna Soto-Morettini’s  to give away! Enter now and be in for a chance to win yourself a copy…

If you’re not lucky enough to win a copy of Mastering the Audition, you can purchase a copy from Bloomsbury.

Meet Donna in person

TV TALENT SHOW AUDITION SECRETS

Wednesday October 31, 2012
10:30 - 13:30 / Prince of Wales Theatre, London

Donna will be talking how to prepare for a TV talent show audition on the 31st October with The Stage Events. Join us and learn what you need to know about your next TV audition, ask Donna questions specific to you and gain a pool of information to help you get progress to the next level.

You’ll come away from this session with:

  1. An excellent understanding of what a television producer looks for in TV singing contestants.
  2. The ability to select a song that will help you stand out from the crowd.
  3. Insight into the full TV experience, helping you assess whether it will help or hinder you in achieving your career goals.

The session format will give you the chance to ask questions of our expert and network with your peers. You’ll take away a handout that will help you implement everything you’ve learnt.

For more information or to book visit www.thestage.co.uk/events

The Stage Events Team

Do younger generations have an advantage promoting themselves online?

Marketing yourself online

Tuesday October 2, 2012 / 10:30 - 13:30
Prince of Wales Theatre, London

Michael Wharley has over 10 years’ experience within the entertainment business. He worked as a stage actor for 6 years before qualifying as a Licentiate of the British Institute of Professional Photography and earning himself a reputation as a “top theatre photographer” (The Stage). Combining his industry experience and expertise, Michael writes regularly on a range of arts and technology subjects.

For more information or to book visit http://bit.ly/MWGmBS

Can promoting yourself online get you a job or casting?

 

Marketing yourself online

Tuesday October 2, 2012 / 10:30 - 13:30
Prince of Wales Theatre, London

Michael Wharley has over 10 years’ experience within the entertainment business. He worked as a stage actor for 6 years before qualifying as a Licentiate of the British Institute of Professional Photography and earning himself a reputation as a “top theatre photographer” (The Stage). Combining his industry experience and expertise, Michael writes regularly on a range of arts and technology subjects.

For more information or to book visit http://bit.ly/MWGmBS

Should you have separate social media accounts for business and pleasure, or just one for both?

Marketing yourself online

Tuesday October 2, 2012 / 10:30 - 13:30
Prince of Wales Theatre, London

Michael Wharley has over 10 years’ experience within the entertainment business. He worked as a stage actor for 6 years before qualifying as a Licentiate of the British Institute of Professional Photography and earning himself a reputation as a “top theatre photographer” (The Stage). Combining his industry experience and expertise, Michael writes regularly on a range of arts and technology subjects.

For more information or to book visit http://bit.ly/MWGmBS

Should agents use social media to promote performers more?

Marketing yourself online

Tuesday October 2, 2012 / 10:30 - 13:30
Prince of Wales Theatre, London

Michael Wharley has over 10 years’ experience within the entertainment business. He worked as a stage actor for 6 years before qualifying as a Licentiate of the British Institute of Professional Photography and earning himself a reputation as a “top theatre photographer” (The Stage). Combining his industry experience and expertise, Michael writes regularly on a range of arts and technology subjects.

For more information or to book visit http://bit.ly/MWGmBS