KICK UP THE ARTS

 

 



  

Wednesday 24th July

A day dedicated to the practicalites of performing and marketing comedy and music

​​​Performers with musical or comedic talent have different outlets for their abilities across the industry. They have to be motivated, focussed and are used to maintaining their talent with classes and showcases. Often they generate their own work, this day is dedicated to looking at this specific area and how to develop your career.

The Day:

 

 

• ​​ 10.00  Bootcamp with Yvonne I'Anson.

• Yvonne has been an agent, worked at Mountview and now runs Associated Artists based in Riverside studios.

• 10.30-12.00  Q and A with leading musical theatre casting director Neil Rutherford

• Neil will be talking about the casting process in musical theatre, auditioning and presenting yourself based on his extensive experience in the industry.

 

• 12-1.30 Dillie Keane, founder of Fascinating Aida, gives a masterclass in how to write a comic song.  
  Participants are invited to bring along their own comic songs - complete or incomplete - and be ready to perform them (or bring a friend who can perform instead). A keyboard will be provided, but please bring along any other instruments (guitar, etc.) you may require. If you are bringing some of your own work, please also bring along a copy of the lyrics (and music if possible) so that Dillie can discuss them afterwords - don't worry, she'll be constructive!



• 2.00-3.00pm Showcase of Aletia Upstairs will be performing her new show "Mata Hari". "The eloquent and exotic Aletia Upstairs brings insight and seduction to her solos show about the ultimate female who paid the ultimate price."

 

• 3.00-4.00pm  The lovely Lucy Black and Hollie May will be performing live.

​

• 4.00pm - 5pm Q and A  specifically aimed at Musical Theatre and Comedy. 
  We will be inviting a director of musicals, Casting Director Neil Rutherford , Shane Collins 

       Dece Gambe (venue Manager) Mike Segall, and  Paul L Martin performer and director of Excess All areas, and the        wonderful Daniel Cainer who has toured all over the world performing his own songs.They will talk to you about auditioning, finding your niche and the types of work available, including, of course, generating your own work.



• 5.30pm  we will be showcasing the actor Jeffrey Holland’s new one man show about Stan Laurel written by  Gail Louw.

 

Claudia Massera​​

​​Claudia has performed as professional bellydancer for over 8 years. She is the founder of Bellydance Body Mind. She has performed in the Cafe de Paris, Ronnie Scotts and the Royal Albert Hall.

 

Dillie Keane

​Dillie is an award winning actress, comedienne and singer. She is best known as the founder of the cabaret group, Fascinating Aida, who have performed all over the world. She has appeared in numerous theatre productions including "Me and my Girl"," Present Laughter" and "Grumpy Old Women".. She has worked in television and radio and is a columnist for several papers.

​

Shane Collins

He started Shane Collins Associates in 1986, having previously worked at one of London’s premier talent agencies for 6 years. Within the first year the agency became very busy… and very well recognised. There have been many successes, including clients winning major international awards.
One of his, and the agency’s, major strengths is that they know the industry from the performer’s point of view, not just from the agent’s. He has first hand experience of what actors have to go through and the heights they reach when they get that perfect job.
With over 25 years experience as an independent agent, Shane frequently gets invited onto television and radio as an entertainment industry expert. He often visits drama schools to give talks and advise on audition and singing techniques, how an agency works, how to deal with producers and the ways in which the agency promotes its clients at home and abroad.
 

 

Mike Segall​​

Mike is the founder of JNET radio, he is a marketing  and entrepeneur specalist. 



Paul L Martin

​Paul is a London based performer and agent. he runs an agency Excess all Areas which also produces The London Cabaret awards. He has appeared all over the world and was named "King of Cabaret " by the Stage for his work in championing the resurgence of cabaret. 



Jeffrey Holland

​​Jeffrey is a successful actor best known for his role in the long running sitcom "Hi de HI" and "You Rang my Lord". He has acted in numerous stage and T.V shows and is  excited to be previewing his new show with us at the festival.

 

​​​



​​​

​​​