How is a 'classical base' viewed by the panel in for WAAPA MT?

Okay, so I just went for my first WAAPA audition for BA in Music Theatre and was called back. I'm just wondering if anyone has any inside info on how the "powers-that-be" are likely to view someone who has had a very strong classical grounding vocally and hasn't yet been trained in the more contemporary style. Are they literally looking for a whole package, right then and there, completed and polished, or are they looking for potential, passion, X-factor, musicality etc? A mixture of both? Are they likely to not even take a look at you if you can't "belt" yet? Would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Congrats on your callback, performaholic! WAAPA used to have a rep for only taking people with a certain amount of life experience, but in the past few years they seem to have moved towards enrolling young people (even school leavers) whom they see as having a lot of potential. I know this doesn't exactly answer your question - but it certainly makes it more likely that they'd take you on despite having not developed your chest and mix ranges, if they think you'd be a great fit for the program in other areas! Also, not everyone is a belter. There are plenty of 'legit' roles you could fill in the world of MT, particularly in older/Golden Age musicals, if you have a well-developed classical soprano register. The panel knows this, and they know that there are lyric sop parts they'll need to cast when they do shows, so they need to put together a class with a bit of balance - not just belters. Break a leg! --- Louisa Fitzhardinge

Thanks heaps, Louisa - that was very helpful :)

A fantastic question with a wise, well-thought answer. As a fellow "non-belter", I do feel your frustration at times... but to quote West Side Story - there's a place for us, somewhere a place for us!