Spotlight On YAFies: Lauren Ho

Lauren Ho
Choreographer for Miller Performing Arts – Gen Last

When did you find yourself falling in love with dancing?
I started dancing when I was three and haven't stopped since! I fall deeper in love with dance every class I take, every show I watch, and every dancer that I meet. There are so many inspiring artists to learn from, you can’t help but love all that dance has to offer.

Which HKYAF productions have you participated in?
Too many to list! My first HKYAF musical was A Chorus Line in 2013, and I’ve also been in Oliver! and Blood Brothers. I’ve joined Arts in the Park as a dancer multiple times, participated in two editions of Pull Back the Curtain, played Amanda in Matilda, and many more.

What surprises you most about HKYAF’s programme?
How professional everyone is. From auditions, to casting, to the rehearsal process and production, HKYAF always works with world-class artists who make every show extremely high quality. That includes the young performers as well! HKYAF is always teeming with extremely talented students and growing artists who are up for a challenge.

As one of the choreographers for Gen Last, what qualities do you look for in your dancers?
I’m always looking for dancers who look great on stage, but more importantly, work well in the studio. The first thing we look for during the auditions is strong technique and a star performance quality. But even with that, you’ll only be invited back to future projects if you make the rehearsal process easy by listening to feedback and working well with others.

What should a dancer do if they forget their steps during an audition?
During our auditions, we’re not necessarily looking for dancers who can remember all the steps instantly. Instead, we’re also looking for smart dancers who can problem-solve on the spot and perform no matter what! If you’ve forgotten the choreography, use the time to show off your personality and style, and get back on track as fast as you can. Just because you forget the steps doesn’t mean you’ve failed the audition.

As a performer, what was your most unforgettable audition experience?
During my first HKYAF dance audition, I didn’t know a single person and had never danced any styles other than ballet. When I went into the audition, there were so many dancers who were much older than me, were much better dancers and had worked with HKYAF before. I was super overwhelmed, kept forgetting the choreography and felt really discouraged. Luckily, all the people around me helped me figure everything out. It was my first experience with the amazing HKYAF community who continue to support me today!

What do you do to de-stress the night before an audition?
Eat a healthy and full dinner, make sure I have my audition outfit ready, and stretch before sleeping.

Any advice to the actors ahead of the audition?
I treat every audition I go to as if I’m going to a free workshop where I get to try out different styles and meet new dancers. When you’re not stressed about the outcome, you free your mind up to remember more choreography, perform bigger, and show us more of your personality!

Which dancer do you admire the most?
Kayla Mak is a beautiful dancer with the perfect mix of incredible technique and artistry that makes her look like she’s floating every time she dances.