Dance auditions to take part in local (to us) theatre productions

[NewFerry]

DD (12) loves her dance classes, and both her dance school and Stagecoach teachers, have said she should look for auditions in local Bath/Bristol shows.
This might sound really stupid, but how do I find out what shows are looking for dancers? Google is letting me down :(
Is there one site or publication that has listings?

I've tried not a pushy mum but couldn't see anything obvious.
Is there a central place, or is it about looking at each theatre within a 30 mile radius every couple of weeks?

I would suggest looking on the websites of local theatres and also te websites of local amateur companies.

do they not get notified of upcoming auditions ? Local operatic and theatre groups may be a way to start and any holiday workshops. Depending on her styles and aptitude maybe the regional ballet company do an annual junior performance. Also the theatres normally have open auditions for ensemble roles in panto etc. Bristol particularly has a thriving theatre scene.

Normally a theatre company would audition from one local dance school. Eg in Pantomimes- the programme will say dancers from A&b dance school. If your dance school does not have those contacts they should know which dance school is used.

The Stage magazine sometimes lists open auditions, but mostly based around London. There may be agencies in Bristol for child actors, you would have to ring them to see what kind of work they supply children for. Alternatively try ringing the theatres themselves for information.

I am surprised that both her dance school and Stagecoach don't have contacts or get approached. It seems unusual to me to expect a 12 year old to organise her own auditions when she is a member of a school. Check with local theatres but unless they are producing houses (produce their own shows) they will mostly just act as a home for productions which arrive with their complete cast. One show which some theatres do have child dancer auditions for is panto so you could ask local theatres how those are publicised. Again however, many panto companies have established links with local dance schools and only choose from one particular school.

Check the youth theatre section of websites for local producing theatres. A lot of theatres that create their own shows have a youth theatre and audition for child roles from the youth theatre.

If your looking at Amateur shows, you will just have to keep an eye om the local am societys dates for such things. Auditions MAY be open or may be only for society members.

You just have to keep an eye out. Sometimes (I run a Stageciavh school) companies will contact all the licsl schools in the area, sometimes they will put an ad in the paper. Amateur groups tend to have Facebook groups they publicise auditions on

Apart from panto it is unlikely an amateur company will be l

Will be looking for dancers alone. What is more common is that they will decide to put on x show and audition potential members I dance, singing and script. They will then cast principals and chorus (which depending in the show may be dance heavy.

First Family Entertainment haven't announced panto auditions yet in Bristol.

Bristol Amateur Operatic Society have a Youth Section and put on two shows a year.

This is all great thankyou x

DD does do singing and acting, mainly thru stagecoach, and is taking lambda and performance singing exams next month, but dance is her real strength.

I guess at this stage I am more interested in finding out more about auditions.
Pictures.... Really helpful information about Bristol thank you

Downton & Annh, yes I think the local theatre (Bath), does use just one school, but as Bath is a half hour drive, and DD dances most days, I don't think it would be sensible to switch schools, (assuming they have spaces) as we would spend hours in the car each week.

Lots for me to mull over..............

As firelight says, you really need to keep a look out. My dd who is 10 gets her auditions from a variety of sources, notapushymum, the dance school, Facebook, personal recommendation, the papers... It's just a case of keeping your ear to the ground. Also most auditions she does she has to sing and dance, and sometimes learn script or prepare a monologue. It's unusual to get a pure dance audition.

Just thought those of you who took the time to post might like an update, stagecoach teacher has contacted me this week with details of an upcoming panto looking for dancers.

Unfortunately, the audition date clashes with her lamda exams !!