Lemongirl

Spannerandpony - I don't remember getting a pro-forma letter. But I phoned them and they emailed a personal response to me and it was about the physical element.

My dd is trying again for Tring CBA this year after not getting in last year. Does anyone know what stretches they ask to see at the audition? I managed to get some feedback after the last audition and they told me it was mainly physical - I think to do with her hamstrings and ankles. She's been working very hard on flexibility and has improved a lot but I was wondering what they look for in the audition in physical terms?

I would say all of it as well, although dd would be upset if I didn't mention the courtiers' dances! Loved the Polannaise and it was dd's favourite too. She would have loved to have been a cygnet but was just happy to be in it. I can't believe those older girls who stormed out because they didn't like their parts! I thought the standard was very high (Dartford but I imagine it's similar in other places) and I was very impressed with how professional the whole performance was with only 12/13 rehearsal days especially the younger dancers who were very disciplined for their age. It's a shame if they don't make friends though - dd said the girls were mainly very nice but I suppose you have to be lucky.

Thanks for posting the sky link amum/cathy. For us, 4 weeks after the performance (dd was at Dartford), we are still living and breathing Swan Lake, dd is still dancing round the house showing us not only her part but all the others too with cries of 'mum do you remember this bit..and this bit...and this bit' She had a really great experience. Well done to everyone in Newcastle too.

Oh dear, we're going away tomorrow! Do you think the report will be shown on You tube?

I would also advise you to speak to Miss Lewis beforehand. The age limits aren't set in stone, it also depends on grade and experience. My dd's just done Swan Lake in Dartford and had an amazing time. One of the mums said that at the senior audition, one girl was struggling with the steps and Miss Lewis said she wishes her mum had called her beforehand, she would have advised her to do the junior audition. Hence she didn't get a place but might have done in the junior. I would take pointe shoes to the casting even if they've only done it for a short while. There are plenty of non-pointe parts but if you don't take the shoes you won't have the option.

Does anyone know what time this is on tonight please?

Does anyone know what sort of parts 10/11 year old girls are likely to get in Sleeping Beauty?

I will also echo the slippery stage! My dd did the junior audition and one poor girl actually fell over during the audition. It spoilt it for dd, she thought she would be next, hence she didn't dance her best and wasn't offered a place on the night. She was first reserve though and luckily got a place a few weeks later. She's still on a high from EYB in Dartford and can't wait to do it all again!

Yes I did hear about the sick - poor boy! Maybe we will meet tonight....!

Liz1302 - we are also at Dartford tonight. What part is your dd? Mine is a courtier.

Thank you, this is very interesting and helpful. Spannerandpony, which associate classes does your daughter go to?

Thank you, very helpful replies. Dd's teacher does a specific stretching class that in the past dd wasn't able to attend due to other commitments. However she's been doing that class since September and her teacher thinks it will help a lot. She has improved, her box splits seem wider than they used to. And she does stretch in the evenings at home when she remembers. She was upset yesterday though after the stretching class however as she'd missed 2 weeks due to other things and she thinks that has set her back. But she's been very tired with EYB rehearsals every weekend. I told her this is just a little blip and the general trend is upwards in the long term.

That's good to hear Gingerbread. Where does your dd do pilates? What part of Herts are you in?

Thank you. She is actually dancing with EYB at the moment which she's really enjoying and is also doing another production in the summer holidays. Luckily there's no flexibility issue with those sorts of things! LJB requires a stretching assessment as part of their audition process, don't think she would get through that. Italia Conti associates look interesting - does anyone have any personal experience?

Can anyone recommend associate classes in the London area that aren't quite so particular about body shape/flexibility or are they all like that? My dd is nearly 11 and about to do RAD grade 3 next term. Last year she auditioned unsuccessfully for Tring Park CBA and they told me the reasons were mainly physical, to do with her hamstrings and ankles going from memory. She can't do the splits either. Shes been working very hard on her flexibility and I think it's slowly improving but even though she's generally determined she sometimes gets a bit disheartened that she's not getting anywhere. Her teacher isn't keen for her to try for things she isn't likely to get into but she will try again for Tring this year. Does anyone have any advice?

Cathy, after a week of rehearsals at half term I now know a bit more: there are 27 courtiers of which dd is one. Seems most girls of her age seem to be courtiers but some are also doing the Spanish dance. The youngest children are nieces/nephews. Dd has 3 dances - two in in Act 1 and one in Act 3. The Polonnaise is her favourite! It's all going really well and dd is loving it. She's also now got a place to do Sleeping Beauty in Aylesbury so very happy!

Thanks. Going really well, she's really enjoying it. Made lots of friends, it's very well organised and she's doing a lot of dancing!

Thanks all, the Sussex Summer School looks good. The situation has changed now though as dd has been offered a place with EYB in Aylesbury for the end of August which she's really delighted about so is doing that. I don't think either in terms of time or cost we could stretch to a summer school as well so that will have to wait till next year.

Thanks. Tring is definitely worth considering, but it's a shame it's only 3 days. Dd did the Christmas weekend there this Xmas just gone. The dancing was great but she also really enjoyed the boarding aspect! And the performance they put on on the last day was fantastic with limited rehearsal time. Sussex Summer School looks good too but can't seem to find any info about it on the internet, only a phone number. I will phone tomorrow and find out.

She's due to take RAD Grade 3 soon.

I am looking to find out about various summer school options in and around the London area. It's for my 10 year old dd (11 in May) who's a keen dancer. She did LCB's summer school last year in Hammersmith which was good but I want to see what else is out there. She hasn't done much in the way of dance other than ballet although she would be keen to try, but ballet would bethe main thing.

Yes it is Cathy - she has a place at Dartford for Swan Lake in March and she also auditioned for Aylesbury which is the summer holidays. Different times of year so in theory she could do both. Apparently Miss Lewis said normally a few don't take up their places and as she's first reserve she should have a chance of a place.

After the casting? Why would that be? And surely you'd have paid by then...?

Cathy, my dd is doing Swan Lake in Dartford and they had the casting a few weeks ago. Apparently she is a courtier with about 7 other girls. I have no idea what this entails. Think she was hoping to be cast as a cygnet but they went to slightly older girls (she's 10). She's very excited anyway - rehearsals start at half term. We are still waiting to hear if dd is going to get a place at Aylesbury. Apparently she is first reserve and the deadline is today. Does anyone know of anyone accepted but not taking up the place?