I was fortunate enough to have seen WICKED at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway with the original leads, Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel Big shoes to fill ! The Australian cast, including Aussie icon Bert Newton, the fabulous Maggie Kirpatrick, Amanda Harrison as Elpheba and Lucy Durack as Glinda, is fantastic. The intimacy of the Capitol theatre allows the audience to be taken on this magical ride to the Emerald City and back, up close and personal.
After seeing the show in Sydney last week, I interviewed dance captains, Emma Delmenico and James Maxfield. Here is what they had to say:

How did you get a role in Wicked ?
You had to submit your headshot and resume. Casting selected from these and if you were lucky, you were asked to audition. In the audition process, the casting was very specific to the roles that are available for dancers in the show.

How did you get the role of dance captain ?
Emma: I had been a dance captain before so this established my capability. Plus they noticed me work hard in rehearsals.
James: In rehearsals I demonstrated that I was quick to pick up the work, take notes responsibly, have a mature relationship with my peers and could remember choreography well. You also have to be a generic look to swing.

What additional tasks are involved when you are a dance captain ?
You have to swing all the time. You also need to sit front of house and take notes relatively frequently to ensure the show is being performed exactly the way it was choreographed and directed.

Do you get paid more money to be a dance captain ?
Yes you do.

Do you find any issues arise when leading your peers ?
It is great on Wicked as there are two dance captains. We can each take on the role of good cop, bad cop as needed. You also find ways to be creatively political. It helps to communicate with your colleagues as fellow dancers when you are dancing and as a leader when you are in dance captain mode.

Who are you directly accountable to ?
The American dance supervisor.

What is it like to swing ?
An adrenalin rush ! You always have to be on the ball. It keeps the show interesting as you need to know all roles. You need to be a triple threat as you may need to go on in an acting role, a singing role or a dancing role.

What is your favourite scene from WICKED ?
James: Oz dust ballroom
Emma: Courtyard

What is your most memorable moment on stage in your career thus far?
James: Performing with Hugh Jackman on THE BOY FROM OZ
Emma: Touring the world in CATS

What is the best advice you can give to dancers aspiring to be in your position one day ?
Emma: Learn everything there is to know ! Attend master classes when teachers come to town. Study all facets of dance and take acting and voice classes.
James: Research choreographers and shows before auditions. Make them believe that you are perfect for the show they are casting.

Wonderful feedback from two very talented triple threats !
For ticket information to see WICKED in Sydney, Australia visit www.wickedthemusical.com.au or www.ticketmaster.com.au

For ticket information to see WICKED in the USA and internationally, please visit the official site www.wickedthemusical.com
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