Black Swan Theatre Company presents Be Active BSX Theatre’s

The HotBed

AUDITIONS

After the success of the 2006 HotBed Program (Falling Petals and Woyzeck), Black Swan Theatre Company are now looking for a new cohort of performers and theatre-makers to work alongside the company throughout 2007.

The HotBed is an 8 month program, where a selection of emerging performers and theatre-makers are involved in an extensive professional mentoring initiative. The program involves two productions (which will consist of The Laramie Project and a workshop production of a new devised show) as well as the opportunity to be involved in professional play readings, secondments to Black Swan Theatre Company main house productions and exclusive master classes with international artists.

We are searching for a diverse group of theatre-makers including performers, directors, set and costume designers, sound artists, composers and lighting designers.

All directors and designers who would like to be considered for an Interview please forward your expression of interest along with your C.V. to keryn@bstc.com.au by the 9th of October. Interviews will be held on the 18th and 19th of October.

All performers who would like to be considered for auditions please forward your expression of interest along with your head shot and C.V. to keryn@bstc.com.au by the 20th of October. Auditions will be held Monday and Tuesday the 30th and 31st of October. You will be required to attend one of the four group auditions which will be between 2PM – 3.30 and/or 6PM – 7.30 on both days. Please let us know your first and second preferred audition time. Call backs for performers will be held during the day on Friday the 3rd of November.

A page of “Frequently Asked Questions” regarding the program and audition/interview process follows to help answer any of your queries.

The Be Active BSX-Theatre HotBed Frequently Asked Questions

What time commitment is required from the program?

The HotBed program is designed so that members can still be full-time students, work part-time, or work on other productions throughout the year. It runs from January to August. The program will require a minimum level of participation from all involved in the program, however, the schedule can accommodate members’ other commitments within reason. There will be an evening meeting every three weeks that members should make a priority. Overall the answer is: the more time you have available, the more events you can be involved in.

The productions in the program will be rehearsed for 6 weeks prior to production week for approximately 15 - 25 hours per week. Rehearsals will be held both during evenings and days. Performers will need to be able to commit to these rehearsal times fully to be involved in the program. Typically the productions rehearse on two nights of the week, a week day (usually a Friday) and Sundays, though this will depend on the commitments of the HotBed members.

Are you doing any other productions next year apart from those in The HotBed program?

No. The HotBed is the performance arm of Be Active BSX-Theatre and only members of The HotBed are involved in productions.

If I am selected to be in the program, does that guarantee I will get employed as a professional (paid employment)?

No. There are certain professional opportunities being offered by Black Swan Theatre Company exclusively for HotBed members, but members will have to audition and be selected for these opportunities. The two HotBed productions are not paid employment. Nor do the productions operate as a profit share.

How are you running auditions and what should I prepare?

All performers, designers and directors, prior to auditions, need to write a half page response to the question “why do you want to be in The HotBed program and work with a cohort of local emerging theatre-makers?”. These responses should be sent to Black Swan before auditions/interviews.

Designers/directors will be seen in individual interviews and should bring along examples of their work (video/DVD/CD player will be available) and be prepared to speak about their reasons for wanting to be part of The HotBed.

The performers’ auditions will be run in a two stage process. People that respond to the callout will be considered for a first round audition. The audition will be a 1½ hour group workshop involving improvisation, sight reading and games. A small group of performers will then be invited back for a second round of auditions. These will be one-on-one auditions, and performers will need to prepare individual monologues. Black Swan will then announce the 2007 HotBed team in November 2006, beginning the program in January.

Am I eligible to apply?

We are interested in supporting artists who are at least 18 years of age, and are in their first five years of professional practice. All graduates of Drama schools and other tertiary trained artists are encouraged to apply, or other individuals who may have suitable experience.

Is the Hotbed program only for young people under 26?

No. Although the company has a particular interest in young people, the program is not restricted to people under the age of 26. Black Swan Theatre Company is keen to support emerging artists at any age.

What happens if I don’t get into the program?

Outside of The HotBed program Be Active BSX-Theatre will be running an annual program of acting classes called Thrills and Skills. Divided into 4 terms, each course will last 10 weeks, and will focus on a different methodology or approach to performance. Each course will be run by a different professional tutor, and the course requires a participation fee (but no audition is required)

Is this a one off initiative?

No. The HotBed will re-audition at the end of each year - so if you don’t get accept this time please re-audition. You are only allowed to be involved in the HotBed program once! So we recommend people to re-auditioning.

Please direct all interest to keryn@bstc.com.au