My son is 12 and an excellent tapper. He went to an agent call last year for Billy Elliott. They didn't even have him put tap shoes on. How do you audition a kid for a role with major tap and not have him put tap shoes on? It really bugged me at the time because I felt it was like asking a baseball player to audition without a mitt. I couldn't help but feel it was a huge waste of our time, on top of that it was a Sunday audition which we never do. Since then I have come to understand alot about broadway auditions. At this particular audition, it was the day after open calls and it seemed like they were going through the motions to see agent kids and they were in a rush to get to the call backs from the day before.

Here's my question. If his manager asks to send him again, should I? I should clarify he has done a good deal of successful commercial work, some film and TV, and he is AFTRA and SAG. He was offered a Radio City Christmas show role in a different city which we turned down. We did not want to be out of the NYC market,.

My issue is not with his manager. I could not understand at the time why they were auditioning so early for a show coming to broadway in 2008. Based on the fact they are having major auditions again, it seems they haven't found what they are looking for.

Here's the question. Should I send him if his management request I do or not?

I would say yes.

Only if you would like him to have a chance to book it!

one more vote for "yes!"

You're kidding. Right?

Yes- he should definitely go!

Its a great opportunity, take him!

First of all, your child has an agent??!! That alone is amazing. Take him, take him, take him. I have friends who have already gone, and they said it was a very fun audition.

For the west end production of billy elliot, the casting took around 2years to be completed. they audition well in advance, to seek potential 'billys' or 'michaels'. they do not mind if your child has never danced before because they train the boys for at least 6-12months to the standard at which they want them, before placing them in the show. the show is supposed to be very authentic, in that 'billy' has never danced, but had the potential to do so. they tend to go for boys with less dance experience for that reason. In the west end the first 'billy's' had NO dance training whatsoever before landing the role, and i suspect this is what they will do with the broadway show too. They wouldnt have necessarily wanted to see your son tap, as they are looking for potential & character, rather than excellent dancer. So i would say take your son along again, many boys are seen several times before they are offered the role.
Hope this makes a little more sense, and good luck!!

Stillwaiting thanks for all of the inside info.

No worries ;-) Just wished they had told us what they required when we all went up for it at the time!! everyone was second guessing! So i dont mind sharing our experience of the whole process of what they were looking for etc as i know it will help u guys. and also just to let you know there are around 5 recalls (call- backs), they really do take their time with this one!

Yes, thank you StillWaiting!

I'm curious when agent appointments will be so if anyone gets a call please post.

Thanks!

Thanks all for your insight and advice. We have not heard anything and that's okay too. He currently has a national commercial that's been airing on every major network and cable. This morning another national commercial he did when he started 1 1/2 years ago started airing on the major networks.

His auditions lately have been for major film or TV shows and any commercial auditions are union. So it's all good.

Wow, that is wonderful citylights!

I have a question to pose to you moms - my daughter has been dying and waiting patiently to audition for the open call in November and I see the height limit is 5'2" - she is just now 5" 2" - do you think we should give this a try in the hopes that she doesn't grow and 1/8 of an inch before then LOL?!? She is talented and has been cast as the lead in both Annie & Oliver in community theatre and does work with a local professional theatre, so I think she could handle the audition and the experience would be good for her. Any thoughts? 5'2" we are finding is not fun for her!!!!

Thank you!

I don't think it would hurt to show up.