WAAPA Music Theatre Audition

Hi all I'm confused :S I have been preparing for my WAAPA MT audition by 'performing' my songs as if I were in a production of the musicals...one in particular with quite a bit of movement...using a chair etc. My friend told me today, however, that there is an X on the floor which you are supposed to stand on, and that - although you can move slightly - you are primarily to simply sing with expression. Can anyone clear this up for me - particularly those with first-hand experience - because I am extremely confused...and worried :S I feel like a bit strange asking this, but I will feel even more strange if I 'perform' my songs at my audition to some very confused auditioners that expect me to stand on an X. Thanks :) x

Well what your friend means is.. first off it depends on your song choice... I mean take the song "she loves me" from She Loves Me... The song is fast, and has movement, but that doesnt mean that I have heaps of movement in it. I will stand on the spot, and convey the emotion through hand movements expression and some movement, but not walking across the room etc...its a bit excessive..You can use a chair to sit on, then stand up etc...but dont do like a full dance routine or anything like that...just relax and sing and do your best...:D they mainly wanna hear if you can sing, and convey the message of the text.... What songs you doing? My auditions coming up....should be interesting lol

I auditioned for MT at WAAPA last year and received a call back. From what I observed they are mainly listening to your voice clarity and your ability to convey a message, as Julian said. The reason why I say this is because in my last WAAPA audition, I completely bombed out on my monologue - forgot nearly half of it - and yet was still offered a call back. So I assume it was the delivery of my songs that got me through. Would the use of a chair add any meaning to what you're singing or performing? Remember you are auditioning for a drama school, so they will be looking for potential as opposed to seasoned performers.

Everyone will probably give you different advice but I would use a chair if thats what you want to do. It shows character and the ability to be, maybe, different and they like that. Someone who stands out. My friend used a chair and got in. There are no rules to say you must stand on the spot. Just wondering how everyone has gone in the WAAPA auditions so far??? Any call backs

when do you actually find out about call backs? I'm hearing missed messages - as usual. Can you expect to hear on the day you auditioned or do they phone you a couple of days later?

Do what you have prepared... As long as you don't go to excess they will appreciate the work you have done on it. But remember, don't "stage" it and sacrifice the clarity of text or voice.... The movement or staging you perform should only compliment what is coming out of your mouth. Simple is better, especially for up-tempo numbers, as the audience should always be focused first and foremost on the story you are telling. Best of luck to you! Maybe see you next year!!

Callbacks they said in Sydney are being decided today. They did not give call backs at the time of audition given the volume of applicants. They are going through all of the applicants today so expect a call today or tom.

hi guys, probably not the appropriate place to put this but was interested in doing the mt certificate next yr at waapa and obviously missed the dates to audition for this yr, but was wondering if anyone could recommend a good voice teacher south of river, cheers

I don't know about the Sydney call backs or whatever but in Perth they tell you right away if you have a call back. At the end of your audition they sit you down for a bit of a chat and then give you a piece of paper with when and where your call back will be. If you get through to the call-back round (i.e dance and more singing) you're pretty much on your own. You have no idea how you are going until you get that letter in the mail a few weeks later. These people know what they are looking for and usually will know straight away whether you have it or not. They've been doing it for a long time. Oh just one comment on the chair thing. You really should practise it both ways, with and without the chair. Last year the girl who auditioned before me was having a bitch when she got out that she had practised with a chair but when she got in there there wasn't a chair available. You don't wanna get caught in that predicament. Best of luck everyone.

David King told me in my Sydney auditions they would be selecting call backs in the next day or so. They were not giving call backs on the spot, well not in Sydney anyway

i think all auditionees for any of the drama schools have to look at the outcome realistically and not get too disheartened if it doesn't work out. if we take the hypothetical situation of 600 applicants and 25 places. we'll say about 300 of those 600 are in genuinely in the running, the other 300 have no hope in hell. now of the 300 in the running, we'll say another 150 don't fare too well on the day (due to nerves, colds etc). that still leaves 150 applicants and only 25 spots. what i'm trying to say is that i don't think any of the auditionees should be too disappointed if they don't get in straight up. there's always that unknown element that the panel is looking for that we'll never be able to predict. if theatre is really your passion, there's other opportunities to be active in the performing arts industry without having to attend drama school.

unfortunately, or fortunately, however you choose to look at it try raising number of applicants to 900 and dropping an intake of 25 people to 18. There's your realistic odds! sare is right - don't get too down on yourselves if you miss out and get ready for the rollercoaster if you are successful. Welcome to the wonderful world of WAAPA

Just wanted to say thanks to all who have given me advice over the past few months...it is very much appreciated. My audition is on Wednesday - I'm excited more than anything else, another chance to perform :) Anyways thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes! xxx

I would really love to know what the auditions are like. Are they like Australian Idol with loads of participants thinking they are really good and their not? Some learn to sing and dance all their lives and have expert training that they put on their CV but if you havent got it, you aint got it. It would be interesting to know but I suppose its private hey.

Who was that who rocked up on the wrong day for their audition with their family.

is it true that there changing from 18 laces in the BA to just 16???? iv just heard a rumour thats all, so if anyone knows anything that would be great ben

We' ll find out on Monday about the number accepted for 2007 unless someone else knows and can fill us in. Mon and Tues is callbacks in Perth A few very big surprises in Perth auditions. Those we thought would get in didnt from the certies.

Your Joking right. A family rocked up with an auditionee on the wrong day. Did this person miss the audition or not if it was the wrong day. Or did they get a callback. Where was this, what state. how embarrassing lol lol lol

^That would be rather humerous now, wouldn't it? I feel sorry for the girl or guy lol- At least it shows their family is very supportive hahahaha.. It'll be interesting to find out the numbers they are accepting

It was a well know Adelaide dance teacher and entourage who went with her daughter to the audition on the wrong day lol. Dont know if she got a call back. There were 5 in Adelaide who got callbacks, so I have been told.

Not the same enthusiasm on this forum as there has been over the past few years in relation to Waapa, there callbacks and general information. There were pages and pages of posts but not this year Does this mean applicants have more choice and are moving away from the WAAPA and NIDA establishments?

What has happened to WAAPA, they have gone down the toilet. Firstly some who auditioned where told by the panel they already had their quota on the last day in Perth before call backs, totally unprofessional. Then this chick in Adelaide who rocked up with all her family on the wrong day and abused the staff was one of the 5 to get a call back. Well good luck WAAPA cos this kid whos only turned 18 has never been away from mummy and daddy. So much for 'theyre too young and havent experienced the world' blah blah blah I will take bets that she will turn down her place if she gets one, she has with all the other interstate offers she's had.

Heads up on the FACTS!!!! 1)quotas can't be filled....there are none 2)they'll take her attitude into consideration 3)1st years will be announced by the end of the week 4)still 18 places 5)Not necessarilly going to be 9 and 9 6)Not the same entusiasim because its all the same as last year and the WAAPA kids aren't logging on 7)only really about 600 or 700 that audition 8)there are 24 positions available for certificate Chookas

Tell me why the panel said that their quota was filled to applicants on Friday. Dont you think thats totally unprofessional!! Especially if you say quotas cant be filled, why did they make that stupid comment. Were you there. How do you explain that!!! I know first hand and dont tell me its crap. I dont really care if they do or dont take attitude into consideration and how would you know. WAAPA's own fault if this chick pulls out. Most people know her especially in Vic where she turns up to the comps thinkin she's shit hot. Nothing more than an attention seeker "look at me I can get into everything and everyone wants me" What the old saying 'its not what you know, its who you know" Yeh, the mother apparently has a top dance school in South Aussie a stage mother who knows everyone in the industry. If anyone else acted that way it wouldnt be allowed. If facts are facts then WAAPA doesnt abide by some of what you say. How do you know 600 to 700. There are roughly 200 applicants in NSW, QLD, VIC, WA plus SA, Tas, NT, NZ and internationals. Yes 18 in BA yes 24 in cert. Yes agree not 9 male 9 female, any combination. Go WA

sounds like someone is slightly bitter!!! Better luck next year!!

Soinds like someone is a bit bitter! Better luck next year!

Yes your right mate, bitter about those who get in from who they know. If it was a fair system of selection, I wouldnt care. I have no problem with not making the grade and I have no problem with not performing to the required WAAPA standard. Thats something as a performer you take on the chin and move on to improve. I agree with an earlier comment that in this industry you need to be thick skinned about rejection. But its shonky when your told the quota is already full and when you hear all the crap that happens in other states then you really question the ethics and integrity of WAAPA. Its the behind the scenes stuff that filters through that gets my back up. In WAAPA there are many in the current BA years who come from other states, thats obvious, and they know applicants who auditioned in Vic, NSW, QLD and SA, so comments on various auditionees and their callbacks everyone knows about. Don’t worry mate, Im not bitter about not getting a callback, If Im no good, then Im no good this year, they should not give the quota crap.

You seem to know alot face the facts are you one of the panel?

.NO!.The system is fair! The people who get in are the people the staff want to work with. It’s a bit embarrassing how much you are going on about this quota thing. Would you rather get through to the callbacks just to fill places when they know that you are not going get in? It’s not unfair its just how it is, maybe you are fantastic but just wont fit into the course. They don’t just want talented people, they want people that will fit together nicely and make the 3 years a enjoyable experience. But come back next year and in the mean time try and work on dealing with rejection gracefully. Douglas

So why was I told I would have had a callback but they already had their quota. I dont think thats professional. Why say anything???? So were you in my audition as well. They did have quite a few females selected for callbacks from the wed and thurs auditions, I really thought they were serious. I didnt think they were supposed to say anything except you either have or havent got a call back. You people cant make comments if you were not there.

Hey Douglas........., I dont think you read disallusion's post. Sounds to me he is taking rejection gracefully. Just because he's pissed on a couple of issues has nothing to do with him getting in or not. I reckon he has good grounds to be pissed. I didnt try out this year cos of ill health but I would like to think that WAAPA is chosing wisely based on what they tell you in their Explore Music Theatre Course and Audition Masterclass. There has been a number of instances lately where I question them to. if they let in students on who they know, its wrong, but using the SA kid as an example, I would not question whether she is good or not, WAAPA can access talent but surely still too young and immature for what WAAPA is offering especially if she has been tied totally to the apron strings. What ever happened to the maturity aspect, experiencing the world. (WAAPA's words) No one knows what goes on in an audition except the applicant and the panel. So dont judge.

you are right, none of us were in that audition. In my experience I would say it sounds unusual for them to have done what has been said. Not impossible, just very unusual. It is possible they said exactly what was claimed, possibly they said something that was completely misinterpreted, they were looking for a 'gentle' excuse to say- no thanks! We don't know, and frankly it's not for us to discuss. The disgruntled applicant should raise the issue directly with WAAPA (the only people who can deal with this), or vent and move on... (you are allowed to vent!) I know for a fact several people got callbacks late Friday arvo (I was rehearsing a show next door), so there was definitely no 'full quota'. At the end of the day re the SA person- None of us really know why this girl was given a callback. They may have given them an audition later, they may have video-auditioned, hell they might have just known mum and let her in on that basis (welcome to the arts kids!)- We Don't Know! The real test will be if this person actually gets in. Callbacks are not spots in the program guys, and I wouldn't be too distressed just yet. Age is a factor and for good reason, and I trust the skills and experience of the people on that panel to make the right decisions. BTW- They don't just want talented people- the world is full of failed 'talents'. Talent has very little bearing on your success in this industry, and is only one factor they would look for in an audition. Trust me, there are a LOT of talented people auditioning every year that don't get in. So if you've missed out, keep working and trying. If you're not sure you want to, then maybe the panel is right to not pick you, as you are not willing to work through the hard times. Get a job elsewhere, cos the arts industry will chew you up and spit you out. Good luck to all who did have callbacks! Nev It's the simple things stupid...

I like what you said neville, makes sense. The WAAPA panel will know that girl is young, even if she did get a call back, doesnt mean she is automatically in. I bet there are heaps of girls like that all over aust. Remeber adelaide doesnt usually have a good sucess rate with auditions and call backs anyways. If they know the mum maybe they are humouring her. This has me interested now to know if she gets in cos of all this talk. See ya

Please WAAPA take her, we cant wait for a stress free competition this year without being told every 5 minutes how good she is. ahhhhhhhhh

Disallusioned: By telling you they had filled the quota already Jenny and Derek and were saying to you that: "We have been around Australia and seen at least 100 guys and there are at more than enoough that are more appropriate than you to fill the required positions." Go away from the experience with a clear understanding of what you need to do in order to show them next year how much you have grown from the experience both personally and ability. WAAPA's success rate of choosing the right students is more often than not on the money, occasionally they get one or two wrong but what may appear to you as unprofessional is actually a polite way of telling you that youre not what they are looking for at this stage. Dont stress about it just work your butt of and improve, thats all you can do.

Disagree - why does say anything at all. professional panels just say 'thank you' no explanation there is no need to say anything at all, let alone about 'quotas'. how stupid. why tell anyone a quota is filled, whether they have been around aust looking at 100 guys or not, which those 2 weren't. I cant understand some ppl and their come backs. Didnt you read his post he is going for it next yr der

I'm a current waapa student, and I happen to be extremely good friends with the girl you are talking about. A) She didn't turn up with her "entourage", B) I heard the conversation she had with Jamie Hamilton, for which she apologised for incorrectly reading the date and C) I don't know where you got the whole "interstate offers" deal from, because I know which TWO institutions she auditioned for, and she aint 18. If you're gonna spread propaganda do it where it won't be noticed!!!

m.

I really wish I had gotten onto this forum sooner; it was only after being told through a friend that you were all bitching about "the adelaide girl" that I even knew it existed! If anyone has questions and/or queries about the auditions you can contact me at (www.myspace.com/zundy). I only want genuine questions though, don't spam my inbox, and I can't guarantee my answers will apply for every auditon scenario, but as I am currently in the course and have experienced the auditons twice (yes I didn't get in first time) I will answer them as best I can! For those of you on the South Australian and Victorian competition circuits who are disgruntled due to past issues; brush it off your shoulder and train harder. I have worked with "the adelaide girl" for 6+ years and I have seen how hard she has worked to get where she is. Instead of bitching, train longer and harder and when you compete against her again "bring it"! Beating someone fairly feels a lot better than petty bitching!!

So were you there when little miss came out of the audition gloating the she got a callback. Sitting on the 'coffee' table in the middle of all the other would be contenders bragging about how good she is. As if you do that. Once you audition you leave. How off putting for others or was that the plan. Get a grip she may be a good performer but her attitude is totally wrong. Doing shit like that no wonder people are bitching. Hey also if rules are rules how come she gets away with singing 2 ballads as she so happily liked to tell everyone. So from previous posts we learn, she arrived on the wrong day, spits the dummy, then returns to sing two ballads, she is just 18 and as she put it , the youngest in Year 12. Humm sounds and acted really mature No one questions her talent and hard work, WAAPA wouldnt have selected her right So..... . Its the attitude and the way rules are bent- like 2 ballads. Anyway she's in so we have ALL heard. lol lol

Agree no one questions the talent Facts- so you have been with her 6 + years, say no more mate, you know what everyone's talkin about then.

Hey she may be 17 who cares 17 or 18 still young , so there goes the WAAPA 'you need maturity and worldy experience" this is the the point I want to get across. The other offer was in Qld Con was it not or is that more crap she is spinning. Got it from her mouth mate. This is a public forum. I have named no names. I am using this as an example of how WAAPA say one thing to applicants and do another. She is a classic example.

Oops I meant she's 17....... Im just used to writing 18 lol Disallusioned you mean by a public forum, freedom of speech ??. No one can tell me I cant vent on this forum. Im up for healthy debate. Anyhow she would be used to it, you have to have a thick skin in this industry. ppl are going to be criticised all the time. Just wait till she's famous and the media print the truth, not. They rip you to shreds and spit you out. My point is the immaturity of her actions after the audition. How does WAAPA accepted 2 ballads when everyone else has to do two contrasting songs. I wish I could have done 2 ballads. :(

Unfortunately our school has a communal computer. I have only found out about the posts on this site and apologise for any inconvenience.

Yes I was at the audition on the 30th, I was helping to usher potential applicants. As I said earlier I am currently in second year BA so if anyone needs audition information don't hesitate to contact me. As for the other hot topic of this forum. She has accepted her place in the Bachelor of Arts and will be studying in Perth in 2007!

if you were this girl and got into BA, and read or herd about what all you people have been saying about her on these posts, then you'd feel like shit...i mean she got in, who cares, obviuostly they want her!! maybe its just becoz some of you may have not gotten in, i really dont know, but seriosly speaking about people behind their backs on a national forum is just low!!! If you had a real problem about soemthing, instead of whinging about it on a forum, wouldn't you do something about it? do you think posting shit about her is gonna get you into waaoa, or make you feel better? David and the MT dept. are not incharge of this forum, so really your getting yourselves knowhere. give her a break! Ben

What goes around comes around. Thou who throws stones shall haveth them thrown back. Whats the difference, there are issues between her and others we will never know about on this forum and I suppose you know the person really well too. Nevertheless, I tend to agree that personal attacks on a public forum are not warranted however obviously some ppl hurt by 'things' over the years feel they have grounds. Yes we do question why the forum but, it seems to have stopped momentarily, as long as those who have posted above dont start again in response to your post Ben. I think ignore and it will go away. These ppl want more ammunition. Please everyone dont give it.

ha ha ha aha, great she's accepted Fact, we will see how long she stays or we shall see how she reacts to a taste of freedom mate. Look out the PORN party

Hey ppl. does anyone know how we can liek find out the list off ppl that got into BA and or cert for next year 07? like will it be published anywhere? cheers, ben

I hope this doesn't sound nasty, Ben dd, but of course they don't post a public list. It's absolutely none of your business and there is a reason why they don't start doing shows for the public until their second year. These people aren't celebrities, and auditions aren't a soap opera for everyone's enjoyment. Meanwhile, "Disallusioned", on the "WAAPA doesn't apprecaite maturity becasue they let in a 17 yr old" debate...I don't know how many people you've met, but age is no indication of maturity. Sadly, nor are your posts on this forum. Bam.