As we look forward to our first cruise ship auditions of 2012 in Leeds, we’ve been delighted with the amount of great feedback that we have got from our fantastic auditionees who attended our last round of auditions. One tweeted how “enjoyable and friendly” the environment was while another commented about the “relaxed and professional atmosphere” adding that “it was a pleasure to audition”. This got us thinking: What is it that makes a PEEL Talent audition so special?
Our Expert 'Talent Panel': Stephen Guy, Mollie Daley and Nicky Alexander
As many of us are performers ourselves we know what it is like to go to audition after audition and never really feel like you have seen anybody. We hate the ‘cattle market’ audition process that can see you standing on the street all day before singing one bar of your song and being told “thanks very much”.
We run an open application process. This means that anyone who applies will be given a place at the audition but it also means that we know who is coming and a little bit about their background so our auditionees really are more than just a number. If you’re auditioning for us, we want you to feel relaxed and happy so that you can give us your best. We really are on your side.
On the day the first part of the audition gives all of our applicants the chance to perform in front of our expert ‘Talent panel’ which often includes Sky1’s Showboaters judges Stephen Guy and Mollie Daley.
The best bit is that our auditions are run in a ‘workshop’ style, so those who stay for the whole process will get the chance to show off their other skills so you will be given the chance to sing, dance and act no matter what role you are auditioning for. As an added bonus you will also get the chance to watch all of your fellow auditionees. This is always a really supportive environment and gives you the opportunity to see how other people cope with auditions and maybe take away some new ideas.
After this first part of the audition we will sometimes slim down the field a little bit. This is to make sure that the people who stay are right for whatever roles we are casting for on the day. Projects for PEEL Talent are constantly evolving and changing and so are the people that we are looking for. If you are not asked to stay for the second half of the day then this may just mean that you are not quite right for what we are doing at the moment, regardless of how talented you are. We always encourage performers to reapply and have taken people on after their second or even third audition so we want you to feel like you can come back and see us again.
If you are asked to stay with us then we will move on to the choreography and you’ll get the chance to meet another one of our expert team. Choreographer Nicky Alexander was also a judge on Sky’s Showboaters as well as working with the cast of TV’s Cirque du Celebrité. He will work hard to put you at your ease so that we can the best out of you. As one auditionee tweeted “The Choreographer was fab!” Nicky will teach you all a small dance routine from one of our acclaimed shows and with over 80 PEEL shows to choose from there is no shortage of variety. This is always a great experience and gives us a chance to see how quickly you can pick up routines but also how well you interact with your potential teammates. Last time our auditionees even got the chance to perform on a West End stage at the world famous ‘Lyric Theatre’.
At the end of the day, it’s time for our auditionees to turn the spotlight on our panel and ask any questions they might have about our roles and our work. This is a great opportunity to pick the brains of some of the most experienced people in the industry and find out all about the dream job, as a cruise ship entertainer, that could soon be yours.
We’re auditioning again in 2012 so if you are interested in being a cruise ship entertainer then make sure you check out our cruise ship auditions page for all the latest news and dates.
As a current employee of Peel working in there Warner Hotel sector, I can safely say that there audition process is fantastic. It was the first audition I had attended since graduating from University. All the stigma and worries of an audition were gone within in a instant. I was greeted with a smiling face and people eager to see what I had to give rather than to criticise about what I may not have had. The relaxed environment made me feel comfortable and enabled me to perform at my best. I can whole heartedly say to anyone worried about auditioning with Peel not to be. its a real family atmosphere and good fun to boot!