Leeds Conservatoire students Connor Wood (second year BA (Hons) Acting) and Isabelle Betts (second year BA (Hons) Actor Musician) will make their professional debuts as they join the cast of Aladdin at Cast in Doncaster this Christmas season.
This new production uses integrated BSL and will run from Friday 26 Nov to Friday 31 Dec 2021. The opportunity arose from a mock audition series that aims to establish industry introduction and connections for Leeds Conservatoire performing arts students. This is one of the many opportunities available to our BA (Hons) Acting and BA (Hons) Actor Musician students.
We spoke to Connor and Isabelle before they began rehearsals on 1 Nov about their training at Leeds Conservatoire and expectations for the coming weeks.
Discover more about Cast and buy tickets for Aladdin on the Cast Theatre website.
Hello Isabelle & Connor! Can you tell us more about how you became cast in Aladdin?
BA Actor Musician Course at Leeds Conservatoire
Isabelle - Our Programme Leader leader Erin Carter informed us that Cast theatre in Doncaster had offered to provide an audition opportunity for two understudy and ensemble roles within their 2021 Pantomime, Aladdin. It was a very exciting opportunity!
Connor - We were all immediately interested. Working professionally in some capacity was one of my goals for second year, and the audition series was the perfect chance to fulfil my goal.
How did you find the mock audition series? What was the most helpful thing you learnt from the experience?
Isabelle - Through the audition experience, I learnt to commit and make definite choices when reading the script and discovering the character. It also helped me understand the importance of preparation and research before heading into the audition room!
Acting at Leeds Conservatoire
Connor - For me, the most valuable part of the audition process was the dance call. Dance and movement are a big part of our training, but I wasn't confident in my ability when I started Leeds Conservatoire. Thanks to our training last year, I felt very confident and prepared for this part of the audition.
The quick and fast-paced nature of the audition was a shock to begin with, but in the end, it was a great learning experience and a taster of what we can expect to encounter in the industry.
What are you most looking forward to over the coming weeks?
Connor- I am very excited to be working in a professional environment for the first time, and I am keen to learn things from actors and directors who have been working in the industry a lot longer than I have.
Isabelle - I'm looking forward to getting to know the cast and crew and working together to create this really fun and exciting production. I've never been in a Pantomime before, so I'm also really excited to dive into the rehearsal and performing process.
What skills have you learnt so far whilst studying at Leeds Conservatoire that you think will help with your performance?
Acting at Leeds Conservatoire
Connor - We have explored so many different acting techniques over the last year. I enjoy working with the Stanislavskian and Laban techniques we have studied, and I am keen to take what I have learnt into the rehearsal process.
Also, our Artist in Development class is so valuable. During first year, we learnt how to bring our unique skills into the industry and carry ourselves as future professional actors. Since starting my second year, I have learnt a lot about the industry and what I can expect from a future acting career.
How do you feel about making your professional debut?
Both - Excited, intrigued & nervous!
