The UK based global entertainment provider commits to hiring Irish performing and creative talent
TAGLIVE@ CASTING SINGERS AND DANCERS IN CORK
Global entertainment supplier TAGLive® is holding its first ever Irish casting days in Cork City this October and is committed to casting up to 50 Irish performers in productions across holiday hotspots in Greece, Spain and Cyprus.
This year the UK based company opened an Irish office in Skibbereen with Ballydehob resident Jason Ward at the helm. Jason’s career has taken him from running a dance company to creative work with Disney, major cruise lines and Strictly Come Dancing as well as working with fashion designer Julien MacDonald and Alex James from Blur.
He recognizes that the landscape for performers in Ireland needs to change, “As a company we want to ensure that talented Irish performers can audition and get hired here in Ireland rather than having to travel elsewhere to be seen. That is why we have an operational office in West Cork, we have local partners, and we are the only major entertainment producer in our sector to maintain a full-time permanent presence in Ireland.”
The TAGLive® casting days will be on 22nd and 23rd October 2024 at the Cork School of Music where, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with the institute, the first audition day will be exclusively for students and graduates of the college. The second day will be an open audition for Ireland’s best musical theatre performers who are invited to perform for the TAGLive® casting team.
The successful candidates will be contracted to perform at TUI Holiday Village resorts where they will present full production shows and interact with Guests during parties, games and social activities. The contracts run from February to October 2025 with all flights, single room accommodation and food paid for on top of a competitive salary.
Jason explains why partnering with the Cork School of Music is so important to the TAGLive® strategy in Ireland: “It means that we can support the development of Irish performing talent at an early stage and at a local level and is part of our ambition to help grow the local creative infrastructure.”
As part of this ongoing development TAGLive® is also recruiting Rehearsal Directors who will spend 8 weeks with teams in resorts teaching shows with the performer teams. As TAGLive® Head of Content, Vicky Fields, explains “This is a wonderful opportunity for dancers, dance teachers and choreographers who want to take the next step in their career by transitioning to a creative production focused role.”
Casting Lead, Olivia Taylor, talks about how casting the TAGLive® way might be a new and positive experience for some performers: “Our auditions are different because we run them as workshops and don’t cut anyone during the day. This means that we give everyone the opportunity to shine and ensure that, even if they are not successful this time they will learn something from their experience and be able to give the best of themselves.” She also emphasizes that TAGLive® only casts according to talent rather than appearance, race, gender or sexuality.
TAGLive® is also different in how it treats performers when they are hired, providing a full range of support including mental health first aid and medical insurance on top of opportunities to build a performance career with the company. This has a positive effect on teams explains Jason Ward, “90% of our performers want to work with us again and we believe this retention rate is one of the highest in our industry.”
The company is also hiring activities staff who run outdoor rope climbing and water-based activities as well as entertainment, games and pool parties for younger guests. The selection process for these roles is based on personality and potential using a combination of workshops and one on one conversations. Once hired, TAGLive® provides all training including first aid, safety and even presenter skills to help staff communicate and entertain. There are regular training sessions throughout the contract to support the team and ensure that their skills are always honed.
TAGLive® has grown tenfold in the decade since founder Andy Mills-Brown started the company and is now set for further growth. Current clients include leading brands such as TUI, Haven Holidays, Celebrity Cruises, and Paultons Park with over 250 performers under contract – the equivalent of six Broadway or West End shows. Additionally, the TAGLive® agency books more than 15,000 cabaret acts and Guest entertainers every year.
To find out more about the TAGLive® audition days or working for the company please send an email to casting@TAG.live
For further press enquiries and interviews regarding TAGLive® Ireland please contact Jason Ward, EU Casting Director – jason@tag.live
TAGLive® is an international entertainment supplier. At TAG Live® we partner with leading leisure, tourism and hospitality brands across the world.
Our vision is to produce creative, courageous, and innovative entertainment and events on land, sea and in the air.
Our mission is to proudly stage the best experiences possible, whilst impacting audiences through inspired storytelling.
Our seven divisions; Production, Agency, Technical, Events, Casting, Kids & Theatre, work in synergy to deliver A World of Entertainment for our clients.
For more information go to https://tag.live/