DanceLife Blog

We have just posted the audition information for Hairspray!!

Click on Classifieds - Auditions - Musical Theatre. You must be a member of DanceLife to see the details.

Please don't follow up. You will be contacted by the casting agents if they are interested in seeing you.

GOOD LUCK!

VERITY Hunt-Ballard is literally a woman in a thousand. She was among more than 1000 performers who auditioned for the leading role in the $16 million production of Mary Poppins, which opens in Melbourne in July.

She has just been offered the career-defining role by legendary producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh and director Richard Eyre in Amsterdam, where she had gone with a handful of other candidates for a final audition last week, ahead of the opening of the show's Dutch production.

''They asked if I would like to play her and I couldn't help myself stopping the tears from welling up,'' she said yesterday after arriving back in Australia on Monday.

One of the reasons the Australian hunt took nearly six months is that Hunt-Ballard did not apply in the first round of auditions last October, in which more than 650 performers took part. She was playing Frankie Valli's lover in the hit musical Jersey Boys at Melbourne's Princess Theatre.

''I wanted to audition but I felt I couldn't because the show had just opened,'' she said.

So the search continued in Australia, New Zealand and London for Australians working in the West End. This time Hunt-Ballard was among the 400 candidates.

''I knew when they didn't find anyone the first time that the criteria might fit me.''

She described the character as ''a triple threat'', demanding a huge vocal range as well as dancing and acting abilities.

''It's very challenging vocally - you have to hit high C and at other times you are quite low,'' she said. ''All the time you are dancing, flying and jumping out of chimneys. You need a good level of fitness.''

She will join the rest of the cast, including Philip Quast, Marina Prior, Judi Connelli and Debra Byrne when rehearsals begin at Her Majesty's Theatre in May.

Hunt-Ballard graduated from the Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts in 2003 and has performed in The Rocky Horror Show and smaller productions of South Pacific and Oklahoma!, but this will be her biggest role by far.

''I was a big fan of Julie Andrews as a child and wanted her to visit my house, although we were a very happy family.''

Hunt-Ballard is 28, the same age that Andrews was when she made the film.

''I think that is really auspicious,'' she said.

Source: The Age

By Jason Winters

This industry, and the connections within it, surprise me more and more each day! In fact, with todays technology and enough time and perseverance, a dancer/actor/singer/choreographer/director/producer/etc. can have "families" all over the world. And with amazing luck and a simple philosophy to not "burn bridges", I have been become living proof of just that!

Years and years ago, I lived in Orlando, FL, where I worked at Walt Disney World as a dancer in many shows. During my time there I came to work with other young performers from many different countries and backgrounds, as well as world class choreographers like Jaime King (Madonna's current director/creator for all her tours), dancers from Julliard (the most prestigious school in the U.S.), and producers who now create all of Walt Disney's shows on Broadway. At that time we were all just kids brought together for different kinds of contracts, but truly connected through our love of this industry.

I was lucky to meet an incredible dancer named Cindy, who was one of Mia Michaels' assistants at that time, and we began to dance and work together with Mia. Over the years we would find ourselves called upon to help create some of the most amazing projects, and in the down time between those projects, we would go our separate ways working for other people and pursuing other avenues. BUT, we always came back as the closest of friends and picked up right where we left off. Just recently Cindy was here performing with KIDD PIVOT, which is a Canadian based company formed by the renowned choreographer Crystal Pite, and we were able to catch up for lunch. We hadn't seen each other for a few years, since working on Cirque de Soleil with Mia, but we had definitely kept in touch via emails and such. Cindy, went on to tell me about the incredible new project her and her husband have started for poor and under privileged children in Africa and India. Their program brings the arts and basic education to these children in desperate need of support and inspiration. I was so moved by her direction and passion that I agreed to help in any way possible, and in the next year I will travel to India for a brief time to donate my skills in any capacity possible. These schools provide a place to nurture and share OUR experiences and cultures with THEIRS, and there is nothing more special and important in the world today!

The real lesson in this little blog is how important every single connection we make along our career path can be. Don't EVER "burn a bridge", or think someone isn't worth your time... because every human being is "WORTH YOUR TIME", and life is not meant to be rushed or ignored. The dancer/singer/actor next to you today could be the choreographer/director/producer/photographer/movie editor/ or ANGEL OF THE GOLBAL COMMUNITY, that will change the world of tomorrow.

Love & Light,
Jason

This Is The Michael Jackson Aussie Hip Hop Tour! Limited Spaces !

Nick Bass and Devin Jamieson Are Coming To You This March.

Rockhampton - 10th, Gold Coast - 12th, Perth - 13th, Adelaide - 14th, Sydney - 21st (Morning), Canberra - 21st (Afternoon).

Nick And Devin Have Danced For Artists Such As Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Christina A, Usher, Britney Spears, and Hillary Duff.... And More.

- 1 Massive Workshop Per City ( 1 Venue - All Schools Welcome )
- This Year There Is Two Different Age Groups Juniors 10 - 14 Years And Seniors 14 Years - Open Age/ Advanced Level.
- 2 Classes Per Age Group With Each Choreographer (Juniors - 1 Hour Classes , Seniors 1 Hour 15 M Classes )
- This Year There Will Be Scholarship Giveaways
- There Will Be T Shirts And Merchandise On Sale

Workshop Package Rates:
There Are Workshop Package Deals If You Want To Book With Your Dance School Or A Large Group. This Will Save You Money.

Tickets Sold At The Door - $80 (For 2 Classes) But Get In Quick. Limit Spaces!!!!

For location details please contact Jesse Rasmussen on jesse@jtown.com.au or 0402 615 965.

Kelly Rowland is at Carriage Works today filming a performance for Thursday's SYTYCD Results show. The performance will showcase a huge amount of dance students from great schools across Sydney. Talent Consultant was PJ Clarke from Jeep Management with choreography by Simon Lind from Project Moda. Keep your eyes out for it on Thursday.

As we mentioned earlier hairspray is coming to Australia this year! This great musical will kick off auditions in April and May where the creative team will travel to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland and Wellington. They are searching high and low for this one especially due to the amount of African Americans needed.

Important Dates:
Rehearsals begin August 2010
Production to open October 2010 - Melbourne
Submissions due in By Friday, March 12th, 2010.

There are too many roles to list but if you're going for an ensemble role make sure you have a strong pop voice!

Speak with your Agent for submission details!!

THERE ARE NO DETAILS ON THE OPEN AUDITIONS YET. PLEASE WATCH THIS SPACE!

The hit stage musical Hairspray is coming to Australia - with choreographer Jason Coleman planning to apply his magic touch to the show.

The multiple Tony Award-winning dance musical about an overweight teenager growing up in 1960s Baltimore will start at Melbourne's Princess Theatre from October, with Coleman to choreograph and David Atkins to direct.

Coleman, a judge of television's So You Think You Can Dance, says he plans to take the musical to a higher level.

The show ran on Broadway in New York for six-and-a-half years and will finish its run in London's West End later this month.

"I think we are going to do a recreation of the show that is definitely due now," Coleman told AAP.

"We're doing a cutting-edge, technologically advanced version of it, and certainly have the intention of taking the choreography to a whole other level than what's currently being shown on the West End."

Hairspray is based on the 1998 film written and directed by John Waters.

Set in 1962, it is centred around young Tracy Turnblad, a plus-size dancer who wins a spot on a local TV dance program and is transformed into a teenage celebrity.

In 2007, the movie starring John Travolta, Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky attracted huge audiences.

Just as Blonsky, a former ice-cream shop worker, was picked from obscurity to play the role of Turnblad, Coleman says they will be casting the net far and wide for the Australian stage production.

"We're about to go into one of the most gruelling audition processes that Australia and New Zealand has ever seen," Coleman said.

"We're literally going right back to the basics of it.

"We're giving everyone the opportunity to come and audition.

"Open call auditions are something that David I and very much believe in."

Auditions will start next month.

SOURCE: NINE MSN

My second favourite singer from American Idol ever Adam Lambert will touch down in Sydney this morning ready for his performance on the elimination show of dance tonight. Not sure what Adam is performing but most probably For Your Entertainment as he has fabulous Aussie Dancers Michael, Ame, Michelle and Antony dancing with him. After last night's performance show two dancers will be sent packing tonight. Crazy Mary Murphy was in fine form last night. She always loves coming out here especially around Mardi Gras time... Bit of a party girl hey Mary?

If you love Adam Lambert as much as us Sydney fans can catch him signing copies of his album ‘For Your Entertainment' at HUM on Oxford, Sydney, on Saturday, March 6th from 12pm.

By Kane Bonke

Melbourne based commercial dancer Troy Phillips is currently working with actors from Australian soap Neighbours. There is huge dance based story line in the works.

Happy Feet 2 was launched this week at Sydney's Fox Studio's. Dancers Tracey Morley, Penny Martin, Simon Lind, Kane Bonke, Jacki Hanson Seymour, Kate Wormald Leopold, Michelle Hopper Doyle, Mitchell Hicks, Lee Anne Cherny and Jesse Rasmussen were on hand to lend their Happy Feet.

Dancer Leighton Sharpe is the featured in the latest TVC campaign for Berocca. He is supported by SYTYCD Top 20, the TVC feature heavily during the shows air time.

Will Sabin is currently in Singapore. Launching a new Casino, with Singer Prinnie Stevens backed by Chantel Curmi and Mary Luangkhoth. You can also catch Will Sabin productions at Nevermind on Oxford Street every Friday Night featuring hot Sydney commercial dancers.

If you're watching the film Nine, keep your eyes out for Aussie dancer Shannon Belcastro.

Squared Division are blazing a head of the pack with every gig they touch turning to gold. If your dancer just starting out be nice to these boys!!!

Kate Wormald and Demi Soron are the faces for Norsca deodorant; you can see the girls dancing up a storm in the latest TVC campaign.

By Dale Pope

Teacher: To show (someone) the way; to guide, conduct; To pass on knowledge, especially as one's profession;. There are many definitions, quotes and names for the ‘teacher'. Mentor, coach, role model, hero, idol....... It's quite a list to live up to and sometimes in the role as a teacher I don't feel worthy of the worship that pours out of the eyes of an eager young dancer desperate to follow my every word and move.

There are extraordinary rewards from teaching, and I'm biased, especially from teaching dance. It only takes one face in a room of 30 to inspire me to give everything. And give everything we do. We not only create movement, instruct on technique, prepare for exams, improve performance qualities but we also design costumes, give career advice, balance the psychological needs of the student versus their parent, mentor the Year 10 dancer about to give up dancing, and so on. It can be exhausting, and so I ask, who inspires you? Who coaches you? Who is your role model for teaching? And do you need inspiration?

I say we all need inspiration not matter what line of work. However, dance teachers are unique. We give physically, mentally and emotionally and still we start every hour with a fresh and smiling face as if it's our first hour too. But sometimes the well can feel pretty empty. That's when I know I'm in need of inspiration. How? Sometimes I have the energy to attend another dance teachers class, usually at Sydney Dance Company where they house some of my favourites like Jason Winters (such a beautiful way of explaining things), Dean Walsh (a fascinating mixture of anatomical brilliance and spiritual undertones), and Sarah Boulter (it's like falling into a vat of indulgent cream). Those are just a few. But sometimes there's no energy left to even do that. And so I would like to recommend some simple tips on finding inspiration:
• Book a private yoga or pilates session and have someone teach you! AND you don't have to be good at it.
• Book a private Tango lesson - that was the most inspirational gift I gave to myself two years ago - their passion and reason for dancing not only inspired me but changed the way I taught.
• Go online and look up inspirational speakers/quotes - one that gets me going is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY - Sir Ken Robinson discusses children's creativity.
• Get creative - one of the most important parts of our lives is to be creative and enjoy what we make. Create a sequence that is dancing for the pure joy of it, not for technique or performance. Just because you love the music!
• Sometimes going for a walk in Mother Nature before teaching works a gem for me. Grounds me and reminds me there are bigger things at play.
• And if you do find that energy - get to class with a teacher who truly gets you excited. Learn from their dialogue, their class structure, their passion.

Teaching is a calling not a bread and butter job. Your students see through that immediately and so we have no option but to pour out everything creative via the natural teaching skills we came into this life time with. Every class, you are an inspiration. So do find the time to be inspired yourself.