How do I join the
2009 High Wycombe Gang Show Cast?

If you would like to be in the 2009 cast, we need you to take part in our registration process. This process will enable us to make sure all of our cast members have the commitment and enthusiasm needed to make it through to show week. We cannot guarantee a place will be available for everyone who registers an interest, but we will accommodate as many people as we can and will use the following 2 stages to inform our decision.

Please see the Cast Information sheet for information you need to know before you can decide whether you are able to make the commitment we require of our cast.

Before you read on...
If you have been in the cast before, please erase all previous registration procedures from your head. This is completely new and applies to everyone who wants to be in the 2009 gang. The only exceptions are those who were awarded Ronald Duck awards for excellence during the 2008 Show Week (although if you are one of these people, please keep reading as you may choose to join us for Stage Two if you wish.)

These instructions apply to people who want to be in both the main cast (ages 10+) and the Junior Gang (ages 8 – 10) but please note the 2 separate timescales.

Stage One: Why do you want to be in the cast?

We need to know why you want to be in the cast, and you can tell us however you like!

• It could be a picture of an item you would really like to be in.
• It could be a storyboard of your favourite Gang Show experience or Gang Show item; either as an audience member or a member of cast.
• It could be a diary entry telling us about why you have previously enjoyed being in the cast or a future entry telling us about what you would like to be doing in the 2009 cast.
• If writing things down isn’t your strong point, you could record yourself singing or video yourself dancing.
• You might like to take a series of photographs of yourself in costumes that you have made or would like to wear in the show.

Your submission should be returned to:
Gang Show 2009 c/o 16 Trees Avenue, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP14 4PQ

by Friday 15th August 2008 for Main Cast
by Friday 3rd October 2008 for Junior Cast

Please make sure you include your full postal address and contact phone number with your application so that we can get in touch with you.

Please make it clear, if you are 9 or 10 years old, whether you are applying for the Junior or the Main Cast.

Stage Two: The Smile Test

An hour long rehearsal of a song which will be included in the 2009 show.

• We need to know that you have the skills to be able to take part in an item in the Gang Show.
• We need you to be able to learn words.
• We need you to be happy to sing in a large group of people.
• We need you to be able to smile.

When we have received your "Why do I want to be in the cast?" submission, we will send you an invitation to join us for the Smile Test. Your invitation will include the words for a song that we will be learning to sing and perform during this special rehearsal session. You will be allocated a session which you must attend, having already learnt the words provided. During the session we will learn some basic Gang Show movements and sing the song as a group. There will not be any solo auditions at this session.

If you are a 2008 Ronald Duck winner, you may choose join us for this rehearsal if you would like to, please let us know whether you will be attending or not so that we can send you an invitation.

What Happens Next?

After we have seen your Stage One application and you have rehearsed with us at your allocated Smile Test we will make a decision on whether we can offer you a place in the 2009 cast. We will let you know within 10 days of your Smile Test so that you know in enough time to be able to come along to the cast registration evening and begin rehearsals in earnest. For the Main Cast this will be Tuesday 7th October 2008. For the Junior Cast this will be Tuesday 2nd December 2008.

If you would like to be considered for a place in the 2009 cast and you cannot attend the Smile Test rehearsal, you MUST contact us as soon as possible. If you have been a cast member before we may be able to consider your application based on your performance in previous shows.

So, in summary, if you want to be in the 2009 cast you need to:

Thank you, we look forward to receiving your applications.

Carole and James