How does one audition for West End shows?

[lil_parde]

Posted: 9/18/15 at 8:42pm

How does one audition for West End shows? Is it primarily done through the U.S. companies?

I haven't been able to find anything on The Stage UK. Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks

[Spotlight61]

Posted: 9/19/15 at 7:14am

All auditions for West End shows are handled by Casting Directors.

The casting directors may work in-house meaning they are directly employed by the producers of the shows (Cameron Mackintosh) or may be leading casting directors who are retained by the producers (Pippa Ailion Jill Green and David Grindrod are but three who handle West End castings).

The casting breakdowns for these shows may be sent directly to preferred agents or listed for agents to see on Spotlight, the UK casting directory service.

Other subscription casting services may also carry these breakdowns.

Occasionally, open auditions may be held to cast these shows but this seems to happen less and less.

The Spotlight breakdowns for these shows are not always made available for all subscribers to see.

The Stage Newspaper used to be  one of the main sources of information for auditions, but this hasn't been so since the growth of the internet.

Making use of Spotlight and agents submissions tends to ensure that the quality of the performer attending the audition has the requisite skills necessary to do the job. 

Open auditions are time-consuming, the vast numbers of people attending may end up wasting the time of the audition panel and, indeed, the auditionees own time.

If you are interested in auditioning for a show and are not represented by an agent, then it is worth finding out who handles the casting for the production you are keen to be seen for. This information can be found by reading the programme of the show or visiting the website of the production, where the details of the casting director are listed.

Ensure the CV you submit is in keeping with professional standards and shows that you have professional experience and/or training that equips you with the professional level of skill necessary for the show.

If the casting directors office sees something of interest in your submission they may well retain your details on file and call you in for an audition when looking to recast.

I am certain other people will also be able to offer you some insight.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 9/19/15 at 12:01pm

That's a really great answer Spotlight.

I do all my casting through Spotlight breakdowns.

[lil_parde]

Posted: 9/20/15 at 3:04am

Wow -- thank you for the very thorough reply! You've pointed me in the right direction with the names of CD's etc... Much appreciated.

I am interested in finding information regarding The Phantom of the Opera auditions.  I was curious if the West End productions were handled through the same casting company as the U.S. Broadway productions (Tara Rubin Casting). If not, do you know is there is one typical CD for this?

Thanks again for your reply.

[Spotlight61]

Posted: 9/20/15 at 4:51am

Casting for Phantom is handled by Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. Their Head of Casting is Trevor Jackson. Paul Wooler appears to be doing the main aspects of casting but Trevor is never far away from the audition room.

It may well be worth submitting your details for the attention of casting assistant Melanie Watts. She is a wonderful and supportive person. 

Casting breakdowns for the London production tend to go out in March of each year and the process begins soon afterwards. Most casts begin their contracts in August with four weeks rehearsal and performances starting at the beginning of September and this is when the year long contract would start.

Remember, it is essential that you submit material that is of professional standard. Headshot and CV. It is worth sending this by post as it is a speculative submission.

However, if you have an agent who professionally represents you, the agency should be submitting you in accordance with the casting breakdown.

 

[DeNada]

Posted: 9/20/15 at 5:52pm

All of Spotlight's advice is absolutely on point.

(although it's Wooller with a double L, spelling Paul's name wrong would be a bad move on a casting submission...)

[lil_parde]

Posted: 9/20/15 at 11:48pm

Grazie mille, Spotlight!

[lil_parde]

Posted: 9/20/15 at 11:53pm

Are any of you aware of specific showcases that casting directors attend?

[Spotlight61]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 5:12am

DeNada said: "All of Spotlight's advice is absolutely on point.

 

(although it's Wooller with a double L, spelling Paul's name wrong would be a bad move on a casting submission...)

 

"

Absolutely right DeNada.

Thank you for the correction and, in turn, highlighting a vital point of etiquette. General advice, thoroughly check and double check your submission for accuracy especially in the spelling of the names of those you are sending your details to. 

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 1:15pm

In America the person who does the casting will often see people who are members of Equity first, then might see non-members next! is that the same here?

[Spotlight61]

Posted: 9/21/15 at 4:10pm

The power of the Unions in America is far greater than here in the UK.

There was a time where you would never be seen in a professional production if you weren't in Equity. However, that isn't the case any longer.

The 'Closed Shop' agreement that Equity and many other Unions used to operate was outlawed by the Thatcher government in the 1990's. The EU also adopted the same legislation throughout Europe.

Since then actors do not have to be Equity members to be seen or, indeed, gain work within the profession. However, in the West End many producers still use the Equity West End Agreement as the basis of the performers contract of employment but actors do not need to be in Equity to benefit from the protection, safeguards and rights won by the Union.