Panto's - Have you been to one lately?

Panto season is a busy time for actors who can get work.
Actors normally waork 6weeks to 2months and can earn any where from £500 to £2000+ per week.

It's a lucrative and fun industry.

ES recommends that all budding actors should get themselves along to a panto this christmas and new year season and pick up a few hints and tips.

Panto is really good fun and you see actors working hard for their money!!

Here are some interesting panto's that we have found, we hope you'll find them useful.

The ES Team.
www.ethnicshowcase.com Talent Agency

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The Brothers Size
“Opening this week at the Young Vic Theatre, fusing Yoruba myth with the earthly poetic life of present day Louisiana, the productions follows the lives of brothers Ogun and Oshooi Size. Features Live Music and dance from the rich traditions of West Africa and America’s Deep South. Also running currently at the Public Theatre New York.”

November 8 - December 8
Tickets
Weekdays and matinees £15.50
Last performances £18.50
Under 26s £9.50
Other discounts available

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A Christmas Carol- Ikrismas Kherol
Adapted from Dickens

A vibrant, thrilling musical adaptation of the most enduring of all ghost stories. This time Scrooge is a woman, the setting is today’s South Africa and the past is life under the apartheid regime.
These are exciting times... The rise of a new economic class. Others face harsh poverty while Scrooge is rich and successful. But she lives a lonely, loveless life. Three ancestral spirits come to visit. By the end she understands it is never too late to learn from the past, to change and live a meaningful and happy life.
20 November 2007-
19 January 2008
Tickets
Previews £18.50
Weekdays and matinees £21.50
Christmas week (20-31 Dec) £24.50
Under 26s £9.50
Other discounts available

Call 020 7992 2922 or visit www.youngvic.org

-------------------------Pantomimes in London
2007 - 2008
Peter Pan
Millfield Theatre
Silver Street, Edmonton, London, N18 1PJ
30th Nov 2007 to 6th Jan 2008
A boy will fly at Millfield this Christmas!
Website http://www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk/

Aladdin
Broadway Theatre Catford
Catford Broadway Catford SE6 4RU
15th Dec 2007 to 6th Jan 2008
Classic tale from the Arabian Nights
Website http://www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk/

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs
New Wimbledon Theatre
The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG
7th Dec 2007 to 20th Jan 2008
Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? Get ready for the ultimate adventure as the Wicked Queen tries her hardest to woo the Prince away from Snow White, and journey deep into the magical forest to meet seven loveable dwarfs.
Website http://www.theambassadors.com/newwimbledon/

Jack and the Beanstalk
Barbican Centre
Silk Street London EC2Y 8DS
1st Dec 2007 to 12th Jan 2008
Starring Suzanne Shaw (Hear'say) plays Princess Melody. She is joined by popular comic actors Mel Giedroyc (Mel and Sue) as Fairy Liquid and Steve Furst (Little Britain).
Website http://www.barbican.org.uk/

A Christmas Carol
The Rayne Theatre
Chicken Shed, London N14
3rd Dec 2007 to 12th Jan 2008
Chickenshed?s unique adaptation of Charles Dickens? classic novel will transport you back to Victorian London to witness the transformation of Scrooge.
Website http://www.chickenshed.org.uk/

Fungus the Bogeyman
artsdepot
Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12
24th Nov 2007 to 5th Jan 2008
Enter the underground kingdom of bogey wonderland! slime every mountain and pop up in the bright, shiny overworld of the dry cleaners in this disgusting show for all the family over the festive season.
Website http://www.artsdepot.co.uk/

Cinderella
Theatre Royal Stratford East
Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, London, E15 1BN
1st Dec 2007 to 19th Jan 2008
Will Cinderella go to the ball to meet her Prince Charming, despite the wicked efforts of her smelly, nasty step-sisters?
Website http://www.stratfordeast.com/

The Snowman
The Peacock Theatre
Portugal Street, LONDON, WC2A 2HT
5th Dec 2007 to 6th Jan 2008
This delightful version of Raymond Briggs' tale returns for the tenth year.
Website http://www.sadlerswells.com/peacock/

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Beck Theatre
Grange Road, HAYES, UB3 2UE
14th Dec 2007 to 6th Jan 2008
Hi Ho!
Website http://www.livenation.co.uk/venue/getVenue/venueId/16785/

Puss In Boots
Glaxo Smithkline Sports and Social Club
Oldfield Lane North, Greenford, Middlesex
10th Jan 2008 to 12th Jan 2008
Holy Cross Players proudly present an all new version of the classic, and sadly neglected, pantomime. Fun for all the family guaranteed!
Website http://www.holycrossplayers.org.uk/

Aladdin
South London Theatre
2a Norwood High Street, London SE27 9NS
4th Dec 2007 to 16th Dec 2007
Magical festive fun for all the family, with South London's biggest and brightest pantomime. Join Aladdin and his friends on the quest to find the lamp, defeat the evil Vizier Abanazer and bring freedom to the people of Peking!
Website http://www.southlondontheatre.co.uk/

Dick Whittington
Greenwich Theatre
Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES
4th Dec 2007 to 5th Jan 2008
Alderman Fitzwarren is not a happy man. His cheese shop is infested with rats, his daughter is determined to ignore all talk of pirates and set sail for foreign lands, and as for his latest employee, Mrs Willamena Whittington..........
Website http://www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk/

Trouble in Pantoland
Intimate Theatre
Bourne Hill Palmers Green N13
20th Dec 2007 to 22nd Dec 2007
A seriously evil wizard has invaded panto land. With all your favourite Disney characters appearing which one will save the day? Will it be the Wicked Queens obsessive step daughter Snow white, jilted Cinderella, Amelia sweet heart or perhaps a frog.
Website http://www.platinum1entertainment.co.uk/

Dick Whittington
Intimate Theatre
521 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13
3rd Jan 2008 to 6th Jan 2008
A traditional family pantomime for all ages! Thursday to Saturday at 7.30pm. Saturday and Sunday at 3.00pm. Box Office: 020 8807 1810. Profits donated to Arnold House Leonard Cheshire Home who support physically disabled adults (Charity No. 218186).
Website http://www.acorntheatre.com/


Aladdin
Bridewell Theatre
Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8EQ
8th Jan 2008 to 12th Jan 2008
Come and meet Aladdin, Widow Twanki, Wishi Washi, Emperor Wong Wei, Empress Wong Ki, PC's Dim & Sum, evil Abanazar, Princess Su Shi, & the magical Genies of the Lamp and Ring.
Website http://www.blucow.co.uk/boxoffice/

Jack and the Beanstalk
The Intimate Theatre
521 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, N13
5th Dec 2007 to 16th Dec 2007
The London Pantomimers present Jack and the Beanstalk the well known family favourite!
Website http://www.thelondonpantomimers.org.uk/

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Black actresses - "White up"

Diversity event to see black actress white up as Queen.

Exclusive - Theatre Royal, Stratford East is to stage a controversial revival of Jean Genet's The Blacks - in which a black actress will be 'whited up' to play the Queen - to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery and a major conference discussing diversity within the arts.

The production, which has been remixed to create a hip hop version of the 1958 play, is also being staged to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Ghanian independence from the British Empire - Genet's initial impetus to write the piece.

The run will culminate in a day-long conference organised by Equity and Stratford East to discuss issues surrounding diversity in the performing arts. Excalibah, who will appear in and co-direct the show with Ultz, told The Stage that the pair had worked to update Genet's verse to slam poetry and hip hop inorder to give the piece greater relevance for modern audiences.

"With it being 50 years since Ghanaian independence - which was Genet's initial inspiration for writing the piece - and 200 since the abolition of theslave trade, it is perfect timing" he said.

The production will feature a company of 13 black actors, five of whom will play the Queen, her footman, an ambassador, a judge and a missionary. These performers will be 'whited-up' and positioned in a royal box watching the play within a play.

According to a spokesperson for the show, the actress playing the Queen will be made 'as close a facsimile of Queen Elizabeth II as we can manage. We'll be flipping stereotypes on their head,' added Excalibah, 'and that's exactly what Genet's play does. It plays around with the ideas of black and white.'

The Blacks runs at Theatre Royal, Stratford East from October 12 to November 10.

For more information follow the link: http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/17571/diversity-event-to-see-black-actress-white·

TICKETS: £10 & £18 (concs £7 & £12)Days:
Tues - Sat Times: 7.30pm Extra show: 2pm, Wed 31st Oct

To book on online, click http://www.theatreroyallondon.com/shows.php\?display=upcoming

www.ethnicshowcase.com - UK Community Talent Agents

Tips on Becoming a Successful Actor / Actress

If you want to become a successful actor, here are some useful tips that we think can get you started:

1. Get voice coaching lessons or find some vocal warm up exercise routines (if you want a long standing career in vocal work you need to look after your voice).

2. If you can't afford voice coaching lessons, pop down to your local library and see if they have or can order you in a book on voice exercises.

3. Join as many local theatre groups as possible. For a long standing career in acting you need to be versatile so the more experience you have of different productions and different groups the more rounded actor/actress you will become.

4. If you are at school, college or university join any acting or theatre club.

5. When auditioning for plays and productions try and audition for a wide range of roles and characters.

6. Sign up to a casting agency (like Ethnic Showcase), some can be pricey (we're free) - so find one that suits your budget as these can be a great way of finding out about auditions.

7. Log on to TV station and TV production company websites to find out if they are looking for anyone to take part in their shows. Even if it is not strictly an acting role being on TV is a good experience.

8. Buy (or borrow) a video camera and record yourself doing some acting. This can be great to show potential casting companies or just as a tool to critique your own work. When you record something you are happy with upload it to a website like www.youtube.com which can be done for free and you can then share your talent with the world and use it to advertise yourself with.

http://www.talentedyoungpeople.com/tips/

More Ethnic Showcase advice:
Do your homework and do background research to help pursue your career; watchfilms, read plays, go to the theatre, all this will help to develop yourskills as a performer.

Find a way to network. The business relies heavily on networking.
Use what connections you have to your advantage and use them well Get an agent or publicist. This is perhaps one of the wisest things you should do.

With representation, you have a link to casting calls.

Agents sometimes call in favors or recommend actresses to casting directors they know. In fact, your agent or publicist will be the one person (besides you) who should beworking actively to find you a job

And finally......

Audition, audition, audition

By Ella Fleming.
www.ethnicshowcase.com

EXCITING THEATRE WORKSHOP

Another Training notice for all you actors:

INVISIBLE THEATRE WORKSHOP

An intensive fun-packed, charged, hands-on workshop suited to people who want skills experience & knowledge in creating issue-based scenes that are performed in public without the public knowing the scenes have been staged.

Come and lose yourself within the mysteries of invisible theatre and learn techniques of the Theatre of the Oppressed and those pioneered by Augusto Boal, Keith Johnston, Clive Barker and many others.

Taking place in London UK 8th – 11th November 2007

Led by Tony Cealy

The workshop cost is £150.00 Spaces are limited.
To secure your place or for more information contact Noh Budget Films PO Box 45770 London SW16 5WS 07956 877358 info@nohbudgetfilms.freeserve.co.uk

The workshop is completely interactive and peppered with creative action methods that will take you through a series of dynamic exercises, image theatre and role-play, to devise a piece of invisible theatre that will be performed in public.

In this workshop you will practice, play and perform techniques from the ‘theatre of the oppressed’. As a group we will choose an issue to explore which we will use in our final show. Participants will be encouraged to challenge their preconceptions about the final piece throughout the workshop.

Though no drama experience is necessary to participate you must be willing to actively explore new methods and best practice learnt through skills sharing & networking in a safe and supportive environment.

Participants from previous workshop:

“For me this workshop was about how we look at ourselves and what we believe about ourselves, as well as what we can do to make people more aware of important issues” –Owen Thomas, Education Partnerships Manager, Skyline Partnership

"Everyone in my organisation should take this workshop every year, because of the way it inspires and revitalises" – Sandra Brown Director, Cycle of Life

“A powerful insight into image theory and its application to facilitation and performance training” Ebony Okolo Artistic Director Forsight Theatre

“A packed-full, exciting workshop that shows us what and how to make change happen dramatically and memorable in our daily lives”. Steve Wright Connexions Manager London

“It works on a number of levels, helping to connect the personal & political to the wider context of the world we live in” Mary O’ Silver Freelance Therapist & Counsellor

“Stimulating, involving and value for money” Paul Rackford - Actor

“Thoroughly enjoyable, contact me for the next one!” participant

Information circulated via www.ethnicshowcase.com training iniative

Stagework.org.uk website - USEFUL for actors

http://www.stagework.org.uk

Since its launch in March 2004, Stagework has become a massive and growing archive of performance-related material including film of rehearsals, performance, auditions and interviews with actors, directors, designers and administrative personnel.

Stagework unpacks the process behind key productions for students and for general life-long learners; it offers rich media content and teacher support for the National Curriculum in English, Drama, Citizenship, RE and History; it enhances the understanding of theatre as one of the creative industries and points out new career possibilities to young people.

Stagework looks at how performances are made, who makes them, and why. Importantly for teachers, it is also a repository for debate, analysis and discussion framed by the issues raised in the staging of plays such as the National’s production of Henry V at the time of the last invasion of Iraq, and its adaptation in 2003-04 of Philip Pullman’s epic anti-clerical trilogy His Dark Materials.

Stagework meets the needs of curricular audiences by covering widely-studied plays in production, such as Shakespeare’s Richard III and Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle, while also appealing to all audiences with entertaining interactive material which enhances the theatregoing experience.


http://www.ethnicshowcase.com
UK Ethnic Talent agency

Real Life... Real Theatre - Artist Development Programme

The Artist Development Programme (ADP)

Hackney Empire's Artist Development Programme is now in its seventh year. It is an intensive vocational experience working with top professionals Orphy Robinson (Courtney Pine), Susie McKenna (Writer/Director of our ground breaking panto), Bustah (5ive), Tameka Empson (Three Non Blondes), Patrick Miller (Byker Grove), Cleveland Watkiss (Jazz Warriors) and Sam Francis (Destiny's Child) to create a new show - your show over 17 days in the summer holidays. This massively rewarding programme ends with a dynamic performance of a professional standard on the Hackney Empire's main stage on August 7th.

There is huge demand and only 100 places are available for auditions so get in touch and register NOW!

FEE: £75 (25% refundable at the end if you are present for 90% or more of the programme)

AND the big news is that 2008 see the launch of our international programme of work, starting with Hackney Harlem! BUT we won't audition you unless you've already done an ADP. So this is your last chance, don't miss it! To register for audition download the application form at the site or call Margarida on 020 8510 4525 or email education@hackneyempire.co.uk

For more information about this project, please check out our my space: www.myspace.com/adp6.
http://www.ethnicshowcase.com UK Ethnic Talent agency

Full Time Performing Arts Course, London

WAC; Auditions this Saturday 9th June 2007
for Full Time Performing Arts Course, London

www.wac.co.uk

3 Year Full-Time Performing Arts course, North London.
WAC Performing Arts and Media College are holding an all day audition on Saturday 9th June 2007 for the course commencing in October 2007. We have a high level of diversity amongst our students and have been responsible for introducing some of England's leading black performers into the industry.

Our main objective is to enable access to training to a professional standard to all young people.
The course culminates in an end of course week long showcase which is attended by both established and burgeoning Industry professionals.

Our graduates have a truly unique skills base having trained in all 3 art forms of Drama, Dance and Vocals both classically and the styles from European, African and Asian Diasporas. This has already prompted a great interest from professional employers within the industry.

These include DV8, The Sony street team, Irie dance company, Felix cross of Nitro, Cleveland Watkiss, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Boy Blue Entertainment, Noel McCoy, Movement Angol, Pinise Saul, The Royal Opera House and the RSC........To name but a few.....

Below is a more detailed description of the course and audition process.
If you require any other information, or if you would like to audition please feel free to contact Steve on 020 7692 5872 steve@wac.co.uk or Anne 020 7692 5875 anne@wac.co.uk
Many Thanks
Steve Medin & Anne Devlin

Study Level: UndergraduateStudy Mode: Full Time

Course Length: Three YearsStart Date: October 2007

Entry Requirements:
We require candidates to have some experience or accessibility in the art forms.

Final Audition Date:
Saturday 9th June 2007 (all day). Please contact Steve Medin 020 7692 5872 steve@wac.co.uk. Or Anne Devlin 020 7692 5875 anne@wac.co.uk

Audition Process:
The audition process takes place in the following three stages
Stage 1:
Candidates need to participate in workshops in all the 3 art forms
Stage 2:
Deliver a solo in all 3 art forms in line with the following requirements:
Drama Solo: This can be any published speech / monologue that can be delivered off the page.
Singing Solo: A full song from any contemporary material (either acapella or with a backing track).
Dance Solo: A maximum 2 minute piece with or without music.
Stage 3:
Interview
Accreditation We are in the process of seeking new accreditation. Formerly a Foundation Degree, the course has now advanced to a 3 year Diploma study in Music Theatre.
Trinity accreditation will hold L6 status which is a degree equivalent. If you wish to take additional modules you can achieve a full BA (Hons).
Please note that as this course is not fully accredited yet, we are not registered with UCAS. You may therefore be unable to access student loans but you can apply for financial support through WAC.

Career Prospects:
During your 3rd year, you will be introduced to employers from the industry through Masterclasses, a touring show and showcases. On graduation, you will be regarded as a fully trained professional performer, ready to seek work.

Course Fees:
Tuition fees for the course are £3000 per year. Scholarships are available for which you will be means-tested. If you perform extremely well at the entry stage but cannot afford the course fees, we will work with you to enable you to gain a place on this course.
Application For an application form and further information about the course, please phone or email:

Stephen Medlin or Anne Devlin WAC Performing Arts & Media CollegeInterchange Studios213 Haverstock HillLondon NW3 4QPTel: 020 7692 5872/ 020 7692 5875Email: steve@wac.co.uk/ anne@wac.co.ukwww.wac.co.uk

Buy Plays and Books on acting techniques

Samuel French's is one of the best places for finding plays and books on acting techniques, speech training, theatre and criticism.

Have a look at their website:
http://www.samuel-french-london.co.uk
Or, if in London, visit their shop at:

52 Fitzroy Street,
London
W1T 5JR.

It's very close to Warren Street and Portland Place tube stations.

Broadway Benefit Concert - Planned to Aid Darfur

Ethnicshowcase.com wanted to acknowledge that there are actors doing there bit for mankind! We need more of this sort of thing.

Tony Award winner Victoria Clark and Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson have signed on to headline a one-night-only benefit concert in late March to raise awareness and humanitarian aid for the ravaged region of Darfur.

The concert, called Songs for Darfur: The Water Project, will raise funds to support the efforts of UMCOR Sudan, a relief organisation dedicated to improving access to water and sanitation and increasing food security for the displaced people living in camps in Darfur and the surrounding communities.

Proceeds will also go to The Darfur People's Association of New York, which is raising funds to provided school supplies to the refugee camps in Darfur and Chad.

"More than 2 million innocent civilians have been forced to flee their homes and are living in displaced person camps in Sudan or refugee camps in neighboring Chad," said Clark, star of The Light in the Piazza. "[Millions of] men, women, and children are totally dependent on international aid for their survival. By joining forces -- and hearts -- with my friends in the New York theatre community, I hope we can help relieve the suffering of people in Darfur and help them begin their healing process."Nearly half a million people have been killed in Darfur over the past three years of civil war. Many other theatre performers are scheduled to appear alongside Clark and Jackson, including Maureen McGovern (Little Women), Everett Bradley (Swing), and opera singer Marvis Martin.

www.songsfordarfur.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3496731.stm - The BBC'S coverage of The Darfur conflict.

Remi O

Ethnicshowcase's Book Club:

For all those budding actors out there here's a tiny bit of free advice for you.

You are the most precious tool that you have in this game.
Keep on top of your game.
How so?

Practise. Learn. Practise. Read. Practise. Grow. Practise. Believe.

Set realistic goals on your dreams.

Why not read for an hour a day?
Your skill and knowledge base of the art, will improve rapidly.

Ethnicshowcase.com recommends that you read the following book:

To the Actor: On the Technique of Acting
By Michael Chekhov

If you are a true actor in all senses of the word... And you really believe and are interested in the true art of acting, then this is without doubt, a book you should buy.

Remi O