Ideas for auditioning workshop for 7 yr old

[mouskouri41]

Hi all,
My daughter has a last minute space on a Jo Hawes auditioning workshop this Sunday-all the children are to perform a piece of prose or a poem learned by heart(no more than 1.5 mins long).We both quite like "Market Square" by A A Milne,but just wondering if anyone had any other ideas for this,or if anyone has been to any of her masterclasses and what they thought?Btw she is 7 in terms of age appropriateness.
Many thanks in advance!

[DQsMum]

I am by no means an expert, I would suggest that if your DD is familiar with something already that you not cause astir by trying to take on board anything new. My DD did a w/shop with Jo and she is thoroughly lovely pro-child lady and really won't mind, she will just use the opportunity to see how your DD copes, her confidence and how she comes accross. They do lots of games and improv before so they are fairly relaxed by the time they get to their monologue.

I hope your DD enjoys the day, good luck.

[CatKat_0]

I agree - both of mine have been to this workshop. She's not really looking for a full performance, just that they have learned something they are comfortable with. Your choice sounds perfect. Your DD will have a great time.

[islandofsodor]

Dd did it a few years ago when she was 8 and did her Lamda poem. It was really really useful because shed done a festival the day before where dh thought it was really Stagey and false and Jo confirmed our thoughts that's not what casting directors are looking for.

[mouskouri41]

Hi
Many thanks to all who have replied so far.Yes I'm not overly worried and will stick to something she likes and knows.Just out of interest,could I ask what the Lamda poem was?Did she give a reason as to why it's not what they were looking for?As in the content of the poem,or the fact that its Lamda?I have heard CDs don't really hold much truck with lamda exams etc.Do you think it's because they don't like anything too rehearsed or overworked?
Thanks again

[islandofsodor]

The poem itself was fine as was how dd performed it for the exam

She had done it at a festivdl the previous day and the festival adjudicator gave the opposite comments to Jo. The festivdl winners were very OTT and very Stagey whereas dd liked to perform in a more natural but expressive way.

One difference in Lamda however was in LSMDA you get marked down for looking directly at the examiner whereas Jo wanted eye contact.

[islandofsodor]

Dd still does Lamda but we have up the festivals.

[mouskouri41]

Ok thanks,I see.Thanks for eye contact tip!

[pg]

She had done it at a festivdl the previous day and the festival adjudicator gave the opposite comments to Jo. The festivdl winners were very OTT and very Stagey whereas dd liked to perform in a more natural but expressive way.

This must be so confusing for children. "natural but expressive" sounds perfect, but if OTT and stagey wins the day, what kind of message are the performers getting at festivals? I know it's all subjective and that adjudicators have different opinions and tastes - but that sounds as if the wrong message would be getting through in terms of performance.

Thanks for eye contact tip!

Just thought I would add that this is likely to depend on the context of the piece being performed and the choice of the person auditioning. Eye contact isn't always appropiate I don't think. Obviously it's a great tip to have for this workshop though!

[islandofsodor]

Its one reason why we decided to give up festivals. Dh had not ben before and hated it, said it wasn't what drama schools/casting directors were looking for.

Dd has become a bit more stagey these days and we are trying to tone her back down.