Have You Got the ‘X-Factor’?

27 October 2011

Have You Got the ‘X-Factor’?

Auckland’s newest Performing Arts School is seeking talented performers who have the ‘X-Factor’ in acting, singing or dancing.

The school, which is a collaboration between Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) and South Seas Film and Television Limited, is holding auditions during November and December for its February 2011 intake.

Under the guidance of a team of industry professionals, aspiring performers will learn to perfect their skills through a suite of new performing arts qualifications. From diploma and advanced diploma to degree level in progressive years, students can pursue a complete, focussed pathway into their chosen career in acting, singing or dancing.

David Coddington, Head of the School of Performing Arts, says this is a wonderful opportunity for aspiring performers to get a head start in New Zealand’s thriving performance industry.

“We know there’s an abundance of creative talent in Auckland and we’re keen to help foster this,” says David.

“We want to see as many promising dancers, actors and singers as possible at our forthcoming auditions. You don’t have to be strong in all three areas As long as you have that special something in one of the three disciplines, we can help nurture the rest.”

Auditions:

Auditions will be held at MIT’s School of Visual Arts, 50 Lovegrove Crescent, Otara. All auditions start at 10am, as follows:

Wednesday 10 November
Saturday 27 November
Wednesday 8  December
Saturday 18  December
 

Those auditioning will undergo a solo audition process including:

Acting: present a 2-3 minute monologue from a contemporary play, television production or film.

Dance: perform a 2 minute choreography set to your own music on a CD or ipod.

Singing: prepare one ballad or one up-tempo song and provide sheet music for piano accompaniment, or a backing track on CD or i-pod, or perform a cappella.

A second-stage audition process will involve a group audition in all three disciplines at a later date.

An impressive cast of accomplished, professionals has been drawn together to lead the new School of Performing Arts:

David Coddington of South Seas Film and Television Limited will direct the School of Performing Arts and mentor aspiring actors as acting lecturer. David has 40 years acting, directing and teaching experience. David was a professional director at Auckland’s Mercury Theatre, where he directed a number of productions including ‘Ladies Night’, ‘Night World Premier’, ‘Judy’ and ‘Our Country’s Good’. He is also a freelance director for the Real Theatre Company, for which he has directed a number of professional theatre productions in all of Auckland’s major theatres.

Performer, Jason Te Mete, will add some melody as singing lecturer. Jason is a freelance actor, director, vocal coach, musical director and pianist. He has directed a number of National Youth Theatre Company (NYTC) productions including ‘Grease’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland’. On stage, he has performed in numerous musicals including ‘Anything Goes’, ‘Rent’ (for which he won the NAPTA Award for Best Supporting Male in a Musical) and ‘West Side Story’. Jason features in the current hit television series ‘Kaitangata Twitch’, based on the novel by Margaret Mahy.

Dancer, Cat Ruka, will inspire rhythm as dance lecturer. Cat (Ngapuhi, Waitaha) is an award-winning, emerging independent performance artist and dance critic/researcher.  Cat was invited to attend the Indonesian Dance Festival’s Dance Critic Workshop as an emerging dance expert. She was also invited to perform ‘Playing Savage’ in Koowhiti: Matariki Festival of Maori Contemporary Dance. She performed ‘Wolf’ – a work in progress in collaboration with dance artist, Sarah Campus, at the World Dance Alliance Global Event, New York @ Dance Theater Workshop.

MIT’s School of Performing Arts is part of the newly established Faculty of Creative Arts, which also encompasses a School of Creative Writing and the existing Manukau School of Visual Arts (MSVA).

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