b-live.com

SEARCH FOR A WEST END STAR… FAQs

All your SEARCH FOR A WEST END STAR questions answered!

I am not a full member of www.b-live.com, can I still enter?
Yes. All competition information/advice is open to full and partial members of the b-live site and ALL entrants are required to email a video of their performance to wicked@b-live.com.

What do I put in the email?
As well as attaching your video clip (format: avi, mpg, mov, wmv, mp4 or m4v), you must include the following in the body copy of the email: full name, date of birth, school year and school name, title of song and musical taken from, and category you wish to enter.

Is there an age limit on those who can enter?
Anybody between the ages of 11 and 18 years can enter. However, you must state clearly in your entry (online or via email) which category you wish to enter; category one – 11-12 years; category two – 13-15 years; category three – 16-18 years.

When I enter, I will be 15 but by the time the deadline comes around, I will be 16. Which category do I enter?
You must enter the category you fall into at the time of entering so you would enter the 13-15 years category.

How long does my performance/song need to be?
Minimum performance length is one and a half minutes; maximum performance length is four minutes.

Do I have to dance and act in the video?
No. Entrants into SEARCH FOR A WEST END STAR are being judged on their singing ability alone. However, as long as the video includes you singing a full song, script/acting/movement within the performance is totally acceptable.

Do I have to sing a song from a musical; can’t I sing a pop song?
Entrants must sing a song from a musical, those singing a song that is not featured in a musical will not be judged. The song does not have to be from the most famous of musicals nor one that is being performed on the West End at the moment. Please note, the song CANNOT be taken from a musical made for the movies (e.g. Romeo & Juliet) unless that movie is based on an original stage show. Click here for some example songs.

Do I have to sing solo or can I sing with a friend?
Only solo singers are permitted to enter the competition. 

Can I enter a video of me singing in a school musical or concert?
No. All entries must be original and filmed specifically for entry into this competition.

What are the judges looking for in an entry?
Entries will be first and foremost judged on their vocal ability and ability to interpret the emotions and drama behind the track they have chosen to sing. 

Who selects the shortlisted entries?
The b-live team will select its top five entries from each category. These shortlisted entries will then be judged by the WICKED cast. The cast will select a winner from each category (‘the runners up’) and an overall winner (‘the winner’)

What do the runners up win?
All three runners-up win a family ticket (4 x tickets) to see WICKED the musical at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre plus a CV-boosting certificate of achievement. 

What is the prize for the winner?
A family ticket (4 x tickets) to see the award-winning musical WICKED at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, a night’s stay at The Ruben at the Palace hotel (including a 3-course pre-theatre dinner and full English breakfast), a professional singing lesson and their talent promoted to the press by both The b-live Foundation and WICKED's press and marketing teams.

Will entering this competition help me in my performing arts career?
Absolutely. If you enter SEARCH FOR A WEST END STAR, your video performance has a strong chance of being seen by the cast of WICKED and, if you are either shortlisted or named as overall winner, be promoted to the national press. The professional singing lesson – awarded to the winner of the competition – will also support the improvement of vocal skills and include top singing tips from a person working in the performing arts industry today. Everybody who enters will have a ready-made video to use for future castings/auditions whilst all shortlisted candidates will have a certificate of achievement from WICKED/The b-live Foundation to show to future casting directors and write about on their CV.

If I am shortlisted or win the competition, when do I have to take up my prize?
The overall winner and runners-up must take up their prize Monday-Friday (7.30pm performance or a Saturday 2.30pm performance) from 3 September until 15 December 2012 (excluding the weeks commencing 15 and 22 October 2012). The b-live Foundation and WICKED will endeavour to arrange the singing lesson for a time/date that is agreeable with the overall winner.

I really want to enter but I’m not sure my voice is strong/good enough!
What have you got to lose? Taking part – even if you are not shortlisted – is a huge achievement and will help build confidence and boost your ability to perform/present in front of others/a camera (prized skills in and outside of the performing arts industry).

Are you ready for the performance of a lifetime? Follow these links!

Competition overview

Rules of entry

All about WICKED

Song suggestions

Read our competition Terms and Conditions.

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