Theatre is a small community, and word spreads quickly about who is good to work with and who to avoid. How would you like to be known?

'There is a reason they call it the theatre bug and I believe that it is in us all; it just depends on how you wish to express it.'

STOP WATCHING THE MOVIE! The previous actor has already had his moment in the spotlight. It’s your chance to shine, and, with dedication, understanding, and a little bit of creativity, you’ll be able to create a whole new experience for your audience every time you walk on the stage.

The day had finally arrived! Opening night was upon us and I went back and forth between excitement and sheer terror. No matter how many productions I have done, pre-show jitters will always be a part of the ritual.

Live theater. There’s absolutely nothing in the world like it. When the audience take their seats, they immediately fall into a hypnotic trance that is masked by the captivating story told before their very eyes. Compelling and dynamic masterpieces that tell of love and loss; tragedy and triumph; passion and perseverance. 

It was an exhausting week. From continuous run-throughs to us standing on stage for times at the end, just to fix lighting and blocking or even last minute additions to choreography and formation, we were finally ready to show the public what we had been doing for the past ten weeks.

Rehearsals were in full swing, and that meant a few things. First, the cast members had all settled into their own little groups, coming together when need be but only choosing a few to confide in. Second, you know it’s performance season when your body is five hundred different shades of bruise. Third, with great productions come great expectations.

It was a bright and sunny Saturday morning when I made my debut in the rehearsal space. But before we talk about my underwhelming entrance and what went on in that rehearsal space, let’s do like Sister Maria and start at the very beginning.

Frantically searching for sheet music online? Planning to leave your house at 5 am just in case? Fantasising about stepping into the room and the casting director immediately offering you the leading role? Sounds like you’re planning on attending an open audition.

Whether it’s for a professional show or your school play, auditions are a difficult and panic-inducing process. Throughout my 14 years of experience within the world of theatre I have had countless auditions for everything from professional touring musicals to Am-Dram (the British term for community theatre) plays and pantomimes, encompassing acting, singing, dancing and even juggling once! No matter what the audition is for, I always find I have that shaky, butterflies feeling leading up to it, though I must admit I have much more control over my nerves than I did as a child.