Auditioning... with Alistair So

*Calling all 14-25 years old dancers, singers and actors! Sign up for A Chorus Line auditions (May 11 & 12 2013) here!  香港青年藝術協會正尋找年齡由14至25歲、活力十足的年青演員、歌者及舞蹈員，參與本年度的大型音樂劇《舞步青雲》。*

Next up in our auditioning series… the fantastic Alistair So, who was a 2011 and 2012 Triple Threat, as well as Judas in Godspell last December!

Ali, what do you want to share about auditioning? 

To those who feel scared or that they may not be good enough to audition/be involved in YAF:  It’s not always about being the best singer, actor or dancer, if that were the case – believe me, I should not have made it into Triple Threat three years ago. YAF exists to help people maximise their potential, no matter how much or how little experience they have!

What do you do to prepare for an audition?

Practise, organise and if you have time, practise more! One of the first things the YAF team (and most audition panels) will look for when you audition, is how prepared you are. All of the people who get into YAF projects are those who have rehearsed and are organized. Showing up on the day of the audition, without having learned and practised your solo or monologue, will put a black mark next to your name.

Top tips for auditioning?

Relax, smile, walk in with a good attitude and make eye contact! Most people are nervous when going into an audition (I know I am!), but try your best to look confident, cheerful and ready to go! Often, those who look unenthusiastic are written off the moment they walk in, because their body language says that they really don’t know or don’t fully care about what they’re doing. Put all your energy into whatever you’re doing and focus on performing to the best of your ability.

Any funny stories?

I have noticed that I have drunk a little too much water during some auditions (to keep my vocal cords from getting dry and raspy), and subsequently have had to make 5 or 6 trips to the bathroom within the hour. So the lesson here is keep hydrated, but don’t overdo it!

Working with YAF…

Personally, I enjoy the professional atmosphere with YAF. I know that YAF always has a reliable, professional team and cast who will dedicate themselves whole-heartedly to putting on a good show.

When I first joined up with YAF, my out-of-school performance experience was limited.  Performing had always been an enjoyable and substantial part of my life, but I lacked discipline and at times, confidence. My dancing was atrocious- I looked very much like a lanky starfish on a sugar high. I was socially a little awkward and I didn’t know whether I had the ability to be a true “performer”. My time in Triple Threat taught me a lot about how things roll in the theatre world and I tried to step-up my game as best I could. It took me a while to adjust to the YAF style of working but when I did, my mindset improved greatly alongside my ability, which also came a long way. Now, I think that I have become a more rounded personality and I would say that’s mainly due to my exposure to the people and time spent in organizations like YAF.  There’s a certain work ethic that YAF expects, which when followed, will build your skills as a performer and change the way you think and approach things in general.

Now…

My starfish dance days are long gone (at least I hope they are!). My auditions for drama school aren’t too far from now and I know the skills and things I’ve learned along the way at YAF will be invaluable when the time comes and in the long run too.

*Calling all 14-25 years old dancers, singers and actors! Sign up for A Chorus Line auditions (May 11 & 12 2013) here!  香港青年藝術協會正尋找年齡由14至25歲、活力十足的年青演員、歌者及舞蹈員，參與本年度的大型音樂劇《舞步青雲》。*