Park and Bark

If you want to improve your Musical Theatre skills and learn about the industry from established West End Performers, let's get barking!

Park and Bark is all about creating a safe space for performers to experiment and grow. They run monthly workshops, and each time there is a different couple of West End performers running the event. It's a fantastic networking opportunity! Plus, having different people each time means you'll learn new things each time you attend. The workshop is 3 hours long, and it focuses on your singing technique and acting through song. If you are an aspiring performer, wanting to expand your audition skills and improve your performance, then get involved

Today, they announced their workshop leaders for January 25th and get your tickets as soon as possible! Because it is HUGE. 50 First Dates star and upcoming alternate P.T. Barnum in the Greatest Showman (Bristol), Josh St Clair, will be the Performance Coach. The Musical Director is the fantastic Erika Gundesen, who is the assistant musical director of Operation Mincemeat, and has worked on The Lehman Trilogy (National Theatre) and Dead Man Walking (English National Opera). She is a freelance répetiteur and music director for opera and theatre in London! Two incredible performers with massive credits. Get your notebooks ready, because you will learn A LOT! The workshop will take place at Dance Attic in Fulham, 2 pm - 5 pm, and for 3 hours it's only £65.

Last Sunday I went along for my second time, and I can't wait to go back again. The people you meet, skills you learn, and tips handed to you are priceless. The session I attended was run by Tim Jasper, who was the Musical Director. He has worked on Tina - the Tina Turner Musical, been the Deputy Musical Director for the Pretty Woman UK tour and the rehearsal pianist for MJ the musical. The performance coach was Ben Joyce, who has been Marty in Back to the Future (Adelphi Theatre), Beau in Shucked (Regents Park Open Air Theatre) and Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys (Trafalgar Theatre). I had to prepare a 1.5/2-minute audition cut of a musical theatre song, then each participant of the workshop gets to perform their song, and the leaders will give you things to try, vocal and acting technique pointers to work on going forward. The open and experimental atmosphere helps you gain confidence in your performance, and each time I have been, I've felt empowered.

Make sure to follow Park and Bark on Instagram to stay up to date with what upcoming workshops they are running @Parkandbarkldn, and if you are looking to improve your musical theatre skills, I'll see you on the 25th of January. Get signed up whilst there is still space and bring a friend!