We are in the middle of our summer 2024 schedule of MiniShows, STARter and Production Camp and through these processes, I am always amazed by how much kids learn!
Today we held auditions for our Madagascar Week 2 cast. The audition process began with the entire group learning the audition song together. Susannah guided the group, clarifying any confusing parts and explaining unknown references.
One particular line in the song mentioned Gene Kelly, so Susannah took a moment to explain who Gene Kelly was, highlighting his significance as a legendary dancer and actor. She noted that by mentioning Gene Kelly, the character was humorously commenting on their own dancing abilities.
After the group learned the song, Susannah called the cast up in groups to sing together on stage. Each actor then stepped forward to perform a portion of the song they had just learned. The emphasis was on having fun, singing loudly, and staying on pitch. Throughout the auditions, we encouraged everyone to be respectful and supportive of their peers who were performing.
During today's auditions, we observed a wide range of reactions from the kids. Some felt completely at home on stage, exuding confidence and singing loudly. Others seemed terrified, struggling to get the words out. A few performed as if they were born for the stage, others not so much.
Regardless of their level of comfort or performance, we are incredibly proud of each and every one of them. It takes immense courage to put yourself out there and perform in front of an audience. One of the most heartwarming aspects of this process is seeing how supportive the kids are of each other. Every performer, no matter how they felt about their audition, received enthusiastic cheers and encouragement from their peers, creating a room full of excited and supportive fans. While the process can be very nerve-wracking, we love that the kids get to try something hard in a loving and supportive environment.
As the kids gain more audition experience, they begin to realize their capabilities and discover that doing hard things might not be as scary as they initially thought. This process helps them build confidence and resilience, and they start to understand that stepping out of their comfort zones can lead to growth and surprising achievements. Each audition not only improves their performance skills but also teaches them valuable life lessons about perseverance and self-belief.