Casting Director Jenny Rawdin on another side of NYC entertainment
By Jenny Rawdin
A few weeks ago, I took part in Seaport Idol, an amazing event at New York City's famous South Street Seaport. As you might guess, the event was basically American Idol meets street performers! Even though the judges weren't celebrities like Idol's Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, they were still very critical of the performers’ every move! Even the MC was part of the act: He started off by showing the audience that he could put a nail through his nose with out dying. Ryan Seacrest needs to pick up that trick!
Some of the acts included musicians, magicians, mimes, balloon artists, jugglers, acrobats, singers, and dancers. In fact, one group at Seaport Idol actually had been featured on TRL! Last November, Tic and Tac, a three-man group doing crazy stunts, performed on our the TRL stage for the Times Square Talent Show. Their stunts were incredible: One member of Tic and Tac spun his twin partner on top of his head for about 20 seconds!
One act that really impressed me was Kenneth, a yoga instructor. In his act, he confines himself in a small glass box and performs unimaginable contortions with his body! Another act that made an impression on me was The Maestrosities, or as they call themselves, "The Coolest Band Ever." They each played their instruments in costume: For example, one band member was dressed as a jail bird trying to escape from his handcuffs!
The winning candidates from Seaport Idol will be placed on the 2008 Summer South Street Performing Roster and are paid $300 a day to perform! Sound like a winning combination? Seaport Idol might want YOU next year, so check back with InstantCast for future audition info!
Jenny Rawdin - MTV Casting Director. Jenny has been casting actors, singers, dancers, and models for MTV's Total Request Live, the hit pop-culture-driven video countdown show. She also works on MTV Specials and MTV events and has been working in the film and television industry in New York City for six years.
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