BA Musical Theatre graduate career prospects

[Bubj]

Does anyone have experience of how easy it is to get roles as a BA graduate in Musical Theatre from a top drama school? Is there enough work out there for these graduates? I suppose the upside is a BA graduate in MT can get acting, dancing, singing or teaching roles. Any thoughts or experiences would be very much appreciated.

I love your positive outlook and your experiences give me hope, so thank you. What do you mean by create work yourself?

I have just found this thread and can see that very knowledgeable people are commenting on it. Do any of you have views on Bird College or Performers Essex for a Musical Theatre degree? My daughter is choosing between the two. Thanks.

I go to the theatre a lot. I’ve seen plenty from Bird. Others might disagree?

DS just graduated from Bird. He loved it there. For his first year he lived in halls on campus site Avery Hills ( part of university of Greenwich) then in year two he shared a house in sidcup a short distance from bird.
really lovely college and in a nice area. Train into Charing Cross takes about 40 mins. He’s really missing uni life

Thanks so much for your comments. I’m glad your son enjoyed Bird College and wish him
all the best with his future career.

Bird, every time.

I'd go for Bird too.

Can I ask why Bird?

Bird has a “name”. You definitely see their grads in productions. Look at London stage casts to see where people went. The main well known providers do keep coming up all the time.

Many ‘normal’ jobs are insecure, stressful, competitive or tedious - and not well paid. So why not aim for something you actually love? If a kid gets into a great drama school they are already ahead and will learn skills for life. I say live optimistically but also be prepared to have many side hustles!

The problem is that both Bird & Performers have changed unrecognisably over the last few years. I know incredible people from both who are currently on the West End.

Bird has become way too big, it's easy to get lost there and not be seen by agents. Performers have been taken over by BIMM and their previous excellent reputation is being diluted by the other campuses & the reputation of BIMM.

But you will get very good training at both places.

My dd is doing MT degree, I am not optimistic about her chances of star roles in the West End - but what was the alternative? Talking her out of it for her to wonder forever “what if?” Possibly resenting me too? She’s having fun, happy. Try trying not to think about the debt she’s taking on.

The information from our friends at both, and from teacher friends, is that the technical teaching is better at Bird, and although class sizes have increased recently they’re still not the same size as classes at Performers. They also feel that Bird are better at preparing them for auditions etc. They are definitely better at promoting their grads to agents, and in general they have more success securing contracts, especially for MT.

Just onto this thread and can anyone help tell me the difference between Italia, Bird and Urdang? Does it really matter which you choose for MT? Pros/cons would be much appreciated if not too late to this thread! thanks in advance

I think it’s more about which you can get in! All very good and highly competitive - there is another thread on here that can be more specific if you need it

Thank you! I should have been clearer that places at two, on waiting list for one and so decision is hard (fortunate I know!) and really needs to make one - I will try and find the other thread thanks!

All three are good schools. I'd say the likelihood is that, as with all the good schools, from each of those three, a few students each year will end up performing professionally on big stages in the West End and/or on tour. Lots more will work on cruise ships or in holiday resorts. Some will become teachers of dance or MT. Some will go sideways in the industry into other types of role. No school guarantees a stage career - that will come down to luck, look, talent, resilience and hard work. So I'd say your DC should think about their audition experience and where they felt most comfortable, and go there, and then be prepared to work hard and be determined.

Wow so your student is exceptional! Any scholarships on offer? Otherwise choose whichever felt like home at the auditions! Can’t go wrong with any of them

Thank you really helpful comments. Yes one award which adds some confusion (not for me 😅) as possibly not the ‘heart’ one but the one perhaps with best technique etc. …..really appreciate your advice and kind words too x

Can i ask how you knew there was 4000 applicants for GSA? My daughter has just today been offered one of the 22 places available for BA Musical Theatre. We are still in shock, but she had already been offered a few others and had accepted her Urdang place. Now we are in a bit of a pickle deciding which school to choose

I was told that by someone whose child applied and didn't get past initial tapes, despite a stellar cv and training.

It's probably THE most sought after, especially for girls given that there are none of the top up fees.

Congratulations to your DD and I'm not surprised at the dilemma. I think she will just have to go on her gut instinct of where she liked the most.

I know 4 young people who studied MT 2 at arts Ed and none work in the industry. 1 did do 6 months on cruise ships the others didn’t get a single professional job so have completely different jobs now. The one who worked on cruise ships works in theatre administration.

unless you are absolutely amazing it’s highly unlikely to get a professional career, there’s simply too many graduates each year

Sadly it is very much the case. The industry is saturated and there are far too few roles available.

However, a degree is a degree and if you have 3 wonderful years doing something you love then that is a great experience.

But the plan B is well worth having thoughts about. MT and other PA students do tend to be confident, good with people, hard-working, organised and tenacious which are all valuable skill sets for many jobs.

I would go for GSA over Urdang unless she loved Urdang and is desperate to go there. Training is no doubt excellent at both, but would you rather be one of 12 girls when the agents come in third year, or one of about 100? Rent should also be a bit cheaper, if that's a consideration. Pretty much every person graduating from GSA MT degree graduates with a good agent. The same can't be said for Urdang, even though lots do very well, because they now have such huge year groups. They are also offering some places based solely on video submissions, which keeps costs down for them and for auditionees, but may not end up being the best way to select. Time will tell.