Sunday, January 25, 2009

LONDON AUDITIONS

Ok, I apologize for falling so far behind in my postings to this blog, but I sort of got caught up in work and just couldn't find the time to stay on top of the daily postings. Bert Hensley and I are on our way home from a show today and are in Detroit on a long layover between flights, so this seemed like a good time to catch up. Rather than telling you a lot about what we've been doing, I'll let the photos tell the story. 

For starters...Here are some photos I took at our London auditions a couple of weeks ago. We had a great turnout! About 300 dancers and 200 singers. The talent level was quite high, and it was good to see some new folks who want to come join us at sea. We also had some time to go check out the sites of London one afternoon. Dave, Mindy, Brandon, Steve, Bruce, Jeff, Jennifer, and I went to conduct the auditions. Robert Hertenstein (from NCL) was also on hand to help.  Thanks to all of you who came to show us your stuff!

There were about a hundred dancers waiting for us outside London's "Pineapple Studios" when we arrived the first morning.

More than 200 singers gave it their best shot over the 2 days of auditions.

Singers anxiously awaited their turn to impress the audition team.

Mindy shares a little info on ship life with a group of dancers who made it to callbacks.

Bruce Stegmann, our choreographer, did an amazing job of teaching the combination to 300+ eager young dancers. Bruce is great with young dancers!

Mindy McLemore, our cruise ship project manager, shares the good news/bad news with a group of dancers awaiting the announcement of "callbacks". 

David Patton explains the audition process to the first group of singer callbacks. Also at the table were Brandon Thomas, Stephen Kummer, and Robert Hertenstein.

Leaping lizards!

Brandon and I went on a tour of Westminster Abbey the first afternoon we were there. It is an amazing place - you need to go if you're ever in London.

Look familiar?

This was the gate where the Queen's guard is domiciled. 

Brandon Thomas and Mindy McLemore on a shopping expedition on our first afternoon there.

This is a shot of Big Ben taken from Trafalgar Square (you know, where "Feed the Birds" was set in the movie "Mary Poppins". It is one of the main intersections in London, and is also home to the National Gallery of Art. 

Alright, that's it for now. I'll post some photos from our show in Niagara Falls next!