Testimonials
Here's what attendees of our Series One open auditions said of their CHALKHILL experience:
"The structure of the audition process was very clear, honest and up front which allowed the actor to know exactly what was expected of them and allowed me to quickly relax and enjoy the day. The thorough nature of the audition process really gave me as an actress a chance to show my ability for all genres of scripts, my natural flair for certain material, and my weaknesses in other areas. It was a completely rounded process, and one which although intense was not pressured, oppressive or negative. Steve's professionalism was admirable, and his capacity to never drop the pace was incredibly uplifting and an enriching experience to have.” Catherine Lake – London
"CHALKHILL has the hallmark of success! Never before have I attended an audition that was so full of enthusiasm and positive vibes. That was run so professionally and gave the feeling to everyone that they belonged in this family. It was a pleasure to be part of it. Good luck to CHALKHILL." - Tony Finley (Gosport)
“I have been a professional actor since 1999 and this is one of the most positive audition experiences I have ever been involved in. The structure was first class and created an environment that was professional and rigorous, whilst allowing us to be ourselves and to have artistic input in the process. Everyone had the chance to shine in a fair and co-operative procedure that was about mutual respect between the actors and the creative team. This was far and away one of the most rewarding and enjoyable audition processes I have ever encountered. Pat and Ben kept the group ethic alive throughout and the energy levels up. They managed to provide praise and criticism without offending anyone or making favorites. They were both positive and this communicated itself to the actors, who then had the confidence to try new directions and improvisations with the scripted scenes. I came away thinking that even if I was not cast, it was still a day worth spending.” (Pete McCrohon – Portsmouth)
“The second round audition was essentially a master-class in acting for the screen and I personally learnt so much from Steve and the CHALKHILL team. I am confident in saying that every single person there learnt something that day, and we were all given the chance to put this learning into practice at every opportunity. Whether you had spent the last decade in the acting profession had just come out of drama school, or had never acted before, the CHALKHILL auditions were fantastic in teaching and honing your skills and I have learnt so much from that day. In essence, I am very grateful to Steve for such a fantastic experience, and can’t thank the team enough for that. I urge anyone considering attending any of the companies auditions in the future to go along. Everyone is given a fair chance, and no matter what the outcome, you will learn something in the process!” (Jonathan, London)
"The day was so completely and wonderfully different in approach, structure and content from the more traditional type of audition (with its often accompanying stress and inhibition). The atmosphere you created was, from the outset, welcoming, friendly and relaxed and so wholly conducive to giving of one’s best and to absorbing the immense amount of guidance, advice and instruction received. The result was that it felt much more like a workshop than an audition; and I can’t begin to thank you enough for all the amazingly helpful and new insight and guidance you gave into the interpretation of scripts and scenes and realistic portrayal of characters. In short, the day was enormous fun and at the same time educational and inspirational. Your audition process is testament to the fact that CHALKHILL is something new, different from and better than what has gone before." (Jennifer Munby, Wiltshire)
“For me one of the most important things for the actor during an audition, especially one as rigorous as the CHALKHILL audition, is to be made to feel relaxed and know that you are in a safe acting environment. This is exactly how I was made to feel when auditioning for Steven Surridge. His enthusiastic and intelligent approach made it an enjoyable experience.” (Mark, London)
To request an application form for our STAR SCHOOL screen-acting training workshops or to receive information about our Series Two open auditions (scheduled for Summer 2009) please register your details below. We will contact you as soon as information is available for general release.
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