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- WHAT EXACTLY IS WEST END KIDS?
West End Kids is a unique organization unlike any other in the UK. Based on the US model of training and developing young performers, West End Kids focuses intensely on combining the disciplines of vocal performance and choreography and fusing them together to develop young performers who can both sing and dance at the same time to an incredibly high standard. UK stage schools tend to have "singing classes" and "dance classes" but rarely focus on combining the two disciplines. In the USA these groups are sometimes called "Showchoirs". Naturally, there is a lot more to West End Kids than this, but this is the foundation behind the WEK model of training and developing young performers. WEK also teaches at "story-telling" performance is by far the most important ingredient in the make up of a performer - a considerably different approach to the vast majority of stage schools and youth theatre companies in the UK. West End Kids is also a performance company. WEK perform at numerous high profile events throughout the year, designed to provide members of the WEK Company with hands-on, "on the job" performance experience. We do not coach "classroom style", but instead use performance situations, simulations and rehearsals to give young performers the experience, feel and discipline of life as a professional performer. Everything we do at West End Kids is designed to prepare young performers for careers as outstanding young performers. This means preparing them not only in terms of skills in singing and choreography, but also attitude, mental toughness, work ethic and expectation. West End Kids provides dedicated and passionate young performers with all the tools they need to progress into outstanding young performers. Not only in the fundamental skills of singing and choreography, but also attitude, mental-toughness, work ethic and expectation. When West End Kids move onto work professionally, there is no shock to the system - they have been working to the same standards for years and this makes the transition smooth for them and a pleasure for the directors that they are working with. If you have any specific questions about West End Kids, please contact us on 0208 123 2025 or email
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for further information. Last Updated Thursday, 07 August 2008100,00% of 4 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ  useful  not useful - WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A WEST END KID?
There are many benefits to being a West End Kid. We list some of them here in list form: SKILLS: - Discovering the value of "story-telling performance".
- Advanced vocal coaching and vocal technique
- 1-2-1 vocal coaching
- Learn how to combine vocal performance with complex choreography and musical staging
- Sing a wide range of music from Wicked to Kelly Clarkson, from Bart to Sondheim.
- Develop the mindset and work ethic of an outstanding professional performer
- Sing great but can't dance? With hard work, develop into a great all-round performer. EXPERIENCE: - Access to "WEKORDS", the independent record label operated by West End Kids
- Gain experience of performing at high profile events (West End Live, Hyde Park etc etc)
- Recording experience. West End Kids has an active recording programme.
- Benefit from having the West End Kids name on your resume.
- Work from a young age to the same standards and expectations as professional performers. OPPORTUNITIES: - Numerous soloist opportunities
- Free representation by the WEK Agency to help you gain auditions and professional work
- Have your vocal performances released on the iTunes network and in the shops
- Your performances watch by millions throughout the world on the WEK YouTube channel SUPPORT / GUIDANCE: - Practical support both during and after your time with West End Kids.
- Team of directors and coaches dedicated to your development and success.
- Help and assistance with college / university and professional auditions. ENVIRONMENT / SOCIAL:
- Become part of an environment full of like minded, exceptionally talented young performers.
- Discover what you can be with real encouragement, motivation and a dedicated team.
- Make friendships with fellow WEK Members that last a lifetime. Last Updated -100,00% of 4 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - HOW LONG HAS WEST END KIDS BEEN GOING?
West End Kids was established in September 2001 and has since that time, become one of the best respected youth theatre organizations within the UK, reknown for the quality and professionalism of the young performers it produces. Last Updated -100,00% of 2 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - WHAT IS THE AGE LIMIT
The age limit for West End Kids is as follows - You must be at least 10yrs old before you can audition for West End Kids
- You cannot audition for West End Kids if you are 19yrs or over
- If you join West End Kids before you are 18yrs old, you can stay with the Company up to a maximum age of 21. However - we do not audition new members aged 19, 20 and 21. If you have any further questions about the entry requirements for West End Kids, email
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or contact 0208 123 2025. Last Updated -100,00% of 10 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - IS WEST END KIDS A FULL TIME SCHOOL
No. West End Kids rehearse at weekends and does not interfere with school. We are not a stage school. Rehearsals take place on Sunday's and occasionally on Saturdays. For more detailed information select "What exactly is West End Kids". Last Updated -100,00% of 10 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - WHAT WILL I GAIN FROM BECOMING A WEST END KID?
Naturally, every individual is different, but we are yet to work with a young performer who has not shown significant progress and improvement over the course of a term or two. You will notice your own performance standards increasing greatly, your knowledge of musical theatre and repertoire will become boundless, you'll make great life-long friends and will gain valuable performance experience, above all, you will find that your confidence increases a great deal and that your general ability will improve at a fast pace. You will also learn a strong and healthy vocal technique, which will allow you to sing without causing any strain or damage to
your voice. Last Updated Thursday, 07 August 2008100,00% of 1 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - WHAT KIND OF MATERIAL DO YOU PERFORM?
WEK works on musical material from the Music Theatre, Film and Pop / RnB genres. Repertoire is an important part of the coaching you receive at West End Kids and your knowledge and ability to sing in differing musical styles will become an important part of your abilities as a performer. Last Updated Thursday, 07 August 2008100,00% of 1 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - IS WEST END KIDS LIKE A STAGE SCHOOL?
No. The West End Kids style of coaching is totally different to that of a stage school. WEK mainly revolves around the combination of singing and dance to create a complete performance. Stage schools tend to focus on the three main individual aspects of performance, (singing, acting and dance). West End Kids specialises in merging those three areas together to an exceptionally high standard. West End Kids is a totally different experience to that of a stage school. Last Updated -100,00% of 3 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful
- IF I'M SUCCESSFUL, HOW MUCH ARE THE FEES?
Fees are in line with other youth theatre organizations that offer comparable value and quality of coaching. Fees for the main West End Kids Company are £395 per term (£6.17 per hour) and are payable on week one of each term. Fees for WEK: Training are £285 per term (£5.93 per hour) and are payable on week one of each term. Last Updated Thursday, 07 August 200875,00% of 4 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - DOES WEST END KIDS OFFER ANY SCHOLARSHIPS OR ASSISTED PLACES?
Yes. West End Kids holds "Scholarship Auditions" in September each year where 1 full WEK Scholarship is available. In addition to the main WEK Scholarship, as a member of West End Kids, you are also able to apply for a "Singing Scholarships" which will allow you to recieve 1-2-1 vocal coaching with WEK Musical Director, Martin-Gwyn Williams free of charge for the duration of your scholarship. For further information about WEK Scholarships click here. Last Updated Thursday, 07 August 2008100,00% of 3 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful
- WHERE AND WHEN ARE WEST END KIDS REHEARSALS?
On the whole, rehearsals take place in Covent Garden, Central London on Sunday's from 10.30am - 3pm. However rehearsals are sometimes extended to take in full days on Saturday and Sunday, as per the demands of the West End Kids performance schedule. Last Updated Thursday, 07 August 200883,33% of 6 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - LIVING OUTISDE OF LONDON
If you live outside of London, it is still possible for you to take part in West End Kids, it does however depend on the circumstance and practicalities for the individual. West End Kids travel from all over to come to rehearsals. Some as far north as Peterborough and some as far south as Margate. It is a personal choice as to whether you can commit to travelling to London for rehearsals during weekends. Some young performers have no problem doing this, for others it is a little more difficult. If you live in the Midlands or North of England, then it will not be practical for you to travel to London every weekend, as the time it takes to travel and cost of doing so make it a considerable expense and investment in time. However - if you live within the London commuter belt, then living outside of London is not an obstacle. If we have a tremendous amount of experience in this area, and if we feel that you may have difficulty in committing to weekly rehearsals due to your location, we will tell you at the time of your audition registration. For further advice and information, email
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or contact 0208 123 2025. Last Updated Thursday, 07 August 2008100,00% of 6 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful
- WHAT IS WEK: TRAINING?
WEK: Training is the new group for those who are almost ready and show the potential to become West End Kids in the near future. WEK auditions hundreds of young performers each year, and only a very small percentage of them are offered places in the exclusive main West End Kids Company. Now you have the chance to improve your skills, work with the West End Kids creative team, and make sure you secure your place as a member of the main West End Kids Company. For more detailed information regarding WEK: Training, visit the WEK: Training page here. Last Updated -50,00% of 2 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful
- WHAT WILL I HAVE TO PREPARE FOR MY AUDITION?
You will not need to prepare anything for your audition. All West End Kids auditions are done in workshop format, meaning that you will be given some music and simple choreography / musical staging to learn on the day of your audition. Just bring yourself and wear something comfortable to move in. Further information regarding your audition will be sent to you at the time of your audition registration. Last Updated -100,00% of 3 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - HOW CAN I AUDITION?
Firstly read through all the information on the website and decide if you want to audition for West End Kids - then discuss it with your parents!!! If you would like to go ahead and audition for West End Kids, go to the "Auditions Page" and complete the form asking for your details. Once your audition registration has been received at the WEK Office, you will be sent out an audition confirmation providing you with information regarding your audition time and date, what to prepare etc etc. Turn up to your audition and take it from there! Last Updated Thursday, 07 August 20080% of 0 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - I CAN'T SING - SHOULD I AUDITION?
West End Kids is primarily about working with excellent singers and developing them into outstanding all-round performers. With this in mind, you are unlikely to be accepted into West End Kids if you are not a strong singer. We would suggest that you do not audition just now, but to sing with your local stage school or theatre company, and audition at a later date when you have a little more confidence in your singing ability. Last Updated -0% of 0 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - I CAN'T DANCE - SHOULD I AUDITION?
Dance experience is not an audition requirement for West End Kids. We typically take strong singers and work with them to help them develop into outstanding all-round performers. With this in mind, if you sing well and have confidence in your voice, then we would say that it is well worth auditioning for West End Kids, as you are the type of performer that West End Kids was created to coach and develop. Last Updated Thursday, 07 August 2008100,00% of 3 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - I AM A STRONG ALL-ROUNDER - SHOULD I AUDITION?
Yes please!!! Last Updated -0% of 0 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful - HOW MANY GET IN?
There is no set number. Generally we operate on the rule that, if you are good enough - we will find space for you. Standards within West End Kids are exceptionally high and only a small percentage of those auditioning are accepted into the main West End Kids Company. Most of the time, the Company has a size of around 30, so for some auditions we may be looking for 2 or 3 if there are few spaces, on other occasions we may be looking for 19-20. If you are not successful in auditioning for a place within the main West End Kids Company, you may be offered a place in WEK: Training, where we will work with you to fastrack you into the main WEK Company. Last Updated -100,00% of 4 voters found this FAQ useful, I found this FAQ useful not useful
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