I have just returned home from Covent Garden where I participated in an audition for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz. It was a very interesting experience and rewarding on numerous levels.
I arrived at the Kingsway Hotel where I found a long line stretching around the corner from the hotel entrance. There were lots of young girls – some wearing barely nothing in the very cold weather and a few were dressed like Dorothy and many just wore jeans, boots and heavy tops (much more practical in this weather, even if we were told to “put on our glad rags”).
Once inside the hotel, we went to the registration desk and were each given a number. Next, we sat in a large room which had a lovely supply of food and beverages (and a large jug of milk – a singer no-no!) and were given instructions. I was in the first group of girls (around 60 to begin with) and we formed a line by numerical order. We then were called up in groups of five and waited outside a particular room. They were labelled as Audition Room 1, 2, 3 etc. Total anxiety set in at this point as we could hear the girls auditioning and we were told to start singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” on the second verse (which put a few of us off track).
The two female casting directors were extremely polite, professional and gave the best kind of constructive criticism you could ever ask for. I personally have to work on my breath control but my voice was complimented upon and I was advised to get some vocal training. I completely agreed with her analysis and was grateful for the encouragement she provided.
All in all, it was a very good experience and I do wish the future Dorothy a lot of luck!