How do you manage dance school demands and auditions?

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gab
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How do you manage dance school demands and auditions?

Post by gab »

Hi everyone,
I'm just curious about this, as we're struggling, and I'm hopeful that people here can offer ideas.

I live in Sydney, Australia. My son is 9. He loves to perform. He has done a small amount of acting for TV/video and TVCs. He has done pro-am musical theatre and is about to audition for 2 professional musicals in the next couple of weeks. He attends a performing arts school with high standards where he does a large number of classes each week (14) and is a strong all-rounder. While he is not an absolute standout performer in any one area, he would be among the strongest 2-3 in each class - and better in a couple.
My difficulty is with the performing arts school's expectations of him. We seem constantly to be in trouble for missing class (and at concert time of year rehearsal) because he is attending castings and auditions. If we chose for him not to participate in the end of year concert (we have already done this with their public performance team), there is a term of the year preceding annual concert where he would be sitting out every lesson while everyone else rehearses concert items. So, he either has to do the concert or not take class for months at a time. The only alternative I can see it having him attend class at one of the smaller, studios, where high level performance is not expected, but I think he'd be bored in such environments.
We will be in trouble when he chooses to audition for a professional music theatre role next Saturday morning rather than attending class. He may be cut from some concert items as a consequence. If he manages a callback he will also miss Sunday concert rehearsal, so we will be in deeper trouble.
What my son wants to do is to work in the industry, if possible. The training he does is to support these aspirations. What we are finding though is that people offering the training feel that the training is the end goal.


I'm sure that many of you have much more experience with this than me. We are just starting out with all of this. How have you managed? What has happened in your family? What have you learned from it please? Have you found any solutions to these problems?

Thanks so much :)
lotsolaffs
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Re: How do you manage dance school demands and auditions?

Post by lotsolaffs »

Hi
It sort of seems to defeat the object of the school doesn't it?
You would think that they would be supportive and encouraging rather than take that attitude.My daughter attends a state school in the UK it is a specialist arts school which means that they do get extra funding for Dance drama and taking time out for auditions, out of school productions has always been approved.
She attends a very good local drama club this is where we have problems they are fiercely possessive, they don't like her missing a rehearsal for anything be it a party, school production, etc.
Have you had a chance to talk to them about it?
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CatKat_0
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Re: How do you manage dance school demands and auditions?

Post by CatKat_0 »

Are there such things as stage schools in Oz? or specialist schools that specialise in performing - could you send him to one that understands his character and aspirations??

We have similiar issues - school is ok but not very supportive and lots of negativity if there is a conflict between school things and performing things.

Wish there was an easy solution for you x
gab
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Re: How do you manage dance school demands and auditions?

Post by gab »

Thanks for your replies and support:)

I think I didn't explain myself clearly - this is his performing arts school, which is what he attends outside of school hours, and this is where the clashes/angst exist. The other options seem to mean inferior quality performing arts, or the same issues in a new environment.

To answer your questions about other schools (9am to 3pm schools) - he attends a local primary school of the high performing garden variety. Here in Sydney there is only one primary school which caters to performing arts kids, but it's private and we can't afford it. There are affordable options from Year 7 (he is currently in Year 4), and I expect they would be very supportive of such a child, but we are likely not to take them as the academic standards do not meet our expectations. Even if we did, kids at performing arts schools need to choose their major to study in school (music, drama, acting or dance usually) and study the rest outside of school hours, so the problem would remain.
paulears
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Re: How do you manage dance school demands and auditions?

Post by paulears »

Infuriating - but normal. The problem with out of hours performing schools for all ages is simply that they need the best kids. The range goes from really good to exceptionally bad, but they all have a take anyone policy to pay the bills. So when they cast their shows, the good kids are 'key' members of the company, and it's not only their ability, but their commitment and attitude that is important, and stabilises the production. Having these people unreliable for very good reasons, still wrecks their show - because a missing body in a pro show could be coped with, but all the kids who rely on them because they know where and when to do things, crash and burn. This infuriates them, and they get cross. They know that in terms of importance, work, money and career progression count - after all, most are run by professionals who couldn't quite make it their career themselves. That doesn't stop them complaining. Their choice is trying to cope with you, and the loss of their key talent, or perhaps demoting the talented kid so they don't wreck the show so much, and promoting somebody less talented. This to them is also going to impact on the show.

The only advice has to be to make sure they understand in advance that auditions and any paid work HAVE to take priority, and then if these things come up - at least they're aware. They still won't like it of course, but then they do have the option to put the talented, but possibly less reliable kids lower in the list.
2dancersmum
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Re: How do you manage dance school demands and auditions?

Post by 2dancersmum »

I agree that although it may be frustrating it is quite normal. As a parent of a performing child I think you have to have a bit of a thick skin as you help steer your child the best you can as for performing there is no one size fits all, one right way to do things. For every audition I think you have to look at the benefits, time management and the consequences of different options and you have to realise that you will never please everyone all the time. I agree with Paulears that communication is the key - give advance notice of auditions, absences and other commitments but recognise also that your DS cannot do everything and that everything cannot fit around your DS. Performances with the performing arts school may not be professional paid performances but they are the showpiece for the school. They earn their money from students paying for classes and performances are an essential part of training aswell as a showcase for the school. They cannot put on a good show if the kids miss lots of classes and rehearsals - it is a commitment the same as for any professional show. I am sure that it would be upsetting also for a child (and parent) who attended all classes and rehearsals if their part was reduced or given to someone who had missed most of the preparation and came in last minute. Ability and commitment go hand in hand. So my advice is to keep doing what is best for your child, be open and communicate with the performing art school but understand and accept why they might not always be happy with you. But sometimes they will be very happy.
Gatesheadangel
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Re: How do you manage dance school demands and auditions?

Post by Gatesheadangel »

My DD was lucky enough to be cast as Dorothy for their (after school) theatre arts school xmas show. Realising DD may possibly be offered work as an extra at some stage during the 3 months of rehearsals or the shows, her teacher cast another girl too for them both to split performances. DD then got booked for a film which ends just a few days before the show starts. I can't praise the teacher enough for her common sense approach which leaves every party in this equation happy with the outcome.

But i am aware this sort of arrangement won't suit every school or performance.
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