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Aladdin Christmas Spectacular

Published 24 September, 2024

Aladdin is to be GMS’s Christmas pantomime production this year. Dates for your diary are: 11th December and 12th December. Tickets go on sale after half-term. Experience tells us that they sell fast.

Already plans are being made about auditions, the rehearsal schedule, props and scenery. It’s an exciting process.

Formal auditions are scheduled for Monday 16th September and Tuesday 17th September. Details, with FAQs have been sent on GroupCall. The same information is here.

 Drama Department

Audition Process FAQs

Are the auditions open to all?

Auditions are open to all students within the stated year groups. The Drama Department takes into consideration the public examination workload of the KS4 and KS5 students because productions require a huge commitment of time.

How does a child know when to audition?

The time and place of all auditions are broadcast widely: in drama lessons; in form time by form tutors; on the website front page; and Twitter. Also, an open email is sent to all parents and carers, in all year groups, informing them of the production and the key dates.

A preliminary meeting, to give key information about the production and the process involved in signing up, is organised during a break time for all interested students. At this, an audition script is distributed and students are advised of the audition dates.

The audition

Students taking part in the audition perform in front of members of the Drama Department and it is department members who decide on the best candidate for each part. Auditions begin at 3:15pm. The end time varies and depends upon when candidates have performed and the number of candidates opting to audition. Once a candidate has auditioned they are free to leave. GMS asks parents and carers to be prepared to collect their child once they hear they have auditioned. In some instances, the following day, students are informed they’ve been selected for a call back.

After the audition

At the audition, the Drama Department will tell students when the assigned roles will be allocated and announced. A list of the assigned roles is placed on the door of M10 and students are given a preliminary time-schedule of rehearsals. Students must share this with parents and carers because their commitment to supporting the production schedule is essential. There follows an important meeting with all the chosen cast members; it is at this meeting that students decide if they wish to accept the part they’ve been allocated.

Commitment

GMS’s Drama Department runs shows that are professional, hugely popular and enthusiastically recommended by audience members. This high bar can only be achieved with the full commitment of the actors, their parents and carers. If students realise other extra-curricular activities are likely to clash, GMS asks them not to audition as there are many students with the capacity to commit to the demanding time-schedule of a stage show.

Once the dates have been agreed upon, a full commitment from every student is required.

Please note: the Christmas production involves a crucial Saturday rehearsal, which every cast-member is expected to attend.

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