Laura, I remember the audition well, but you have your wires crossed. I said I had never had any singing/vocal training, and that in that regards I am lucky to be able to do what I do. I am completely self taught singer, using voice techniques I learned whilst training to be an actor. Full story? 1994, 1st audition I'd ever taken was for a new acting course through Yorkshire Coast College, Paul Elsam the course tutor. I got through it. Up until then I'd been going from job to job, pretty miserable, trying to keep my parents happy till I got married in '91 and thought "stuff it! I'm gonna do what I want to do from now on"
I'd expressed an interest in acting at 13 fuelled even more when I was an extra for the feature film "A Chorus of Disaproval" but my folks thought it a whim and basically put the brakes on that notion. So anyway, got married started doing stand up, entered competions that sort of thing and always ended with a song. I really enjoyed it and pushed myself to try bigger songs, stretching my range, but I found I'd lose my voice after about 6 or 8 of them.
After the first year of the course my grant stopped, I could have left and took a normal job but I didn't, I used the voice techniques and diaphram control I'd attained through the course, borrowed my friends PA system and started gigging. I found I could comfortably sing through a range of pop/rock and musical songs performing 3 half hour sets and not strain my voice. The gigging paid for my 2nd year, though there was a 2month period where I'd left and was extremely lucky to get back on, which I then had to put the pedal to the metal to catch up on the course directives. I left with a merit-distinction profile across the board, in earnest? I worked bloody hard!
Yes I have been rather lucky to have worked as much as I have, full CV is at www.ukscreen.com/cast/kenny1 feel free to look it up. I've even been involved with reality work which is one of the reasons I detest it so much, not all reality shows, just public voting I mean what do they know about technique, dance, pitch, range, ability, showmanship, stage presence etc etc etc. I have never once said those girls weren't talented and cannot understand how many of you guys have took what I and a few others have said out of context.
I had to fight to get where I am, sure I've had a few leg ups, so to speak but I'd rather be judged by people in the industry than a nation that "likes the small thin one with the nice eyes because she's cheeky and reminds me of a younger version of the missus!!" Popularity contests are fine but not for solving a problem like Maria.
As far as wishing others get the same breaks as me? I most generally do contractual professionla work, but on occasion throw a feebie for a good script if it helps a director get noticed. I aslo pass on names of people I've worked with, to producers of shows I'm involved it helps the artiste and gives the producers more options. I still gig from time to time, mostly when I'm between contracts, other times to make up the money if the wage isn't brilliant, also because I enjoy it and it's a good way to promote the shows I am involved in, creates bums on seats the old fashioned way.
I aren't finicky or stuck in my ways, I am always up for new types of entertainment but sorry, but this should stay a professional business in my mind, especially theatre. There's lot's of opportunites out there if you're willing to look and take chances. The Girls in Maria did a bang up job and deserve every success but the shows format sucked from start to finish.
Sorry for the speach
take care all
Kenny
