Developing Lines of Professional Inquiry - Task 4a continued...

Once discovering how I felt in response to my questions I then posed them to a fellow performer (Ellie Robertson) who gave me the following answers:
Ellie trained at Arts Educational school in London and graduated in 2008.

• Training is not essential to be a performer - some people get work through people they know or through open auditions. However college training has many benefits including showcase opportunities to try and get an agent.

• At the end of the day your performance in the audition is what counts but if it ends up being between you and someone else the panel will be more likely to side with the person with well known training and work ethic. Good colleges also have good connections and provide opportunities to meet people from the business whilst your training, building up your contacts.

• Once you know what the audition is, you should research the piece and find appropriate songs if necessary. Material can be gone through with a singing teacher. Or if you know what dance style it will be, try to do some classes beforehand. On the day make sure you look nice, are warmed up and early not late.
• To stay motivated I would recommend always working on your technique at home and going to class. Make sure you're going to the theatre regularly and setting yourself mini goals along the way.

• Benefits to being well networked...you're more likely to be seen to audition, you're more likely to get the job as the panel know and like you so want to work with you over someone they don't know.

• You've not got to take rejection personally. Remember the most important thing is to do the audition well rather than your success in getting the job.

• To fund training I work at Jamie's Italian restaurant in Shepherds Bush
• A lot of the time what you look like is equally as important as your performance...if not more...you sort of sell yourself as a product.

Although i didn't get answers to all my question due to lack of time i found that just talking them through with someone else in the same situation as me to be very beneficial.