Thriller Live' Launches Academy
(29-10-2012) Producers of the hit West End show “Thriller Live” in the UK are launching an academy to train young boys to take on the role of singing the songs of young Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 in the show, which will celebrate entering its fifth year in the West End in just a few weeks.
Thriller Live casting director Debbie O’Brien said:
“We need at least 6 boys at any one time in the West End and the show is still touring around the world. The sad fact is that as soon as a boy’s voice breaks, he can no longer stay with the production, so we have a high turnover. Candidates for the MJ Academy can have had no stage experience whatsoever. We are looking for boys who are exciting, confident and energetic. They need to be of black or dual heritage, aged 9–14 with an excellent unbroken pop/rock voice with a high range. They must be prepared to sing either ‘Ben’, ‘I Want You Back’ or ‘I’ll Be There’ at an initial audition to see if they are suitable for the Academy.”
Open auditions for the Academy will take place between 4:30pm–7:00pm on November 2, 2012 in London (UK).
The MJ Academy will open its doors for the first time on November 9, 2012. Participants will get classes in singing and dancing every Friday between 5pm and 8pm, with terms lasting three months. They will get music tuition from the show’s musical director, John Maher, who will also have creative responsibility for the school. Dance classes will be taken by Dannii Hampson, and the show’s resident director, Britt Quinton. Each child will have to commit to 3 months of ‘training’ and at the end of the 12 weeks, a full audition will take place with the show’s award-winning director, Gary Lloyd, creator Adrian Grant and producer Paul Walden. There is no charge for the Academy once a boy has been accepted, but parents will be responsible, at their own cost, for getting pupils to and from the sessions each week.
If you are interested you can contact Debbie O’Brien Casting
Source: MJFC / Westend Broadwayworld
Macy Gray Joins ‘Thriller Live’
(16-11-2012) On Thursday, singer Macy Gray (“I Try”) joined the cast of the MJ-themed show “Thriller Live” on the West End stage in London (UK) as part of the BBC’s annual “Pop Goes the Musical!” fundraiser in aid of children in need. She unleashed her inner Michael Jackson by performing a rendition of “Rock With You.” Gray was joined by backing singers as she performed the 1979 hit. Later she told of her delight at being part of the evening’s entertainment:
“It’s great to be back in the U.K. supporting BBC Children in Need. The songs of Michael Jackson are so iconic, his music was and is such an important part of my life. It’s amazing to be performing one of his songs, being on a West End stage makes it even more special.”
Source: MJFC / Contactmusic