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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Accidental stage mom

4 replies

Barmbraic · 12/03/2021 23:22

Dd is 10 and has been going to a stage school for about 6 years. We initially signed her up as a confidence building measure and she has really blossomed. In the last couple of years she's has a walk in part on a musical (uncast, just needed a body who would do as she was told!), in a choir for a touring West end production (selected from the school rather than auditioned), had an audition for a separate West end touring show and an ad casting (both unsuccessful) and two requests to provide self tapes for significant characters in motion pictures (both in the last few months, one no response yet, the other a no). So I guess the school see some sort of talent in her as they wouldn't embarrass themselves by putting forward someone without a chance? I have no idea how to deal with any of this though, it's so far out of my comfort zone. I'm not sure what I'm asking tbh, but I guess I wonder if anyone has any advice or how you support your artistic children? For additional context, dh is very reluctant to let her go further than the fun of audition (fun? easy know he's not the one helping her learn lines Hmm). I think we should take things as they come. She loves acting and does say she'd love to be an actor, but also, she's 10.

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nearlyhomealone · 13/03/2021 13:41

I could have written this post a few years ago!. We had a good laugh first time my DC was asked to audition for something from by his small drama school as we thought he had no chance. Fast forward 3 years he's been in a West End show, a production at the Barbican and a TV series. Moans that they might have gone further if we'd "believed".

nearlyhomealone · 13/03/2021 13:47

.... sorry hit send too quickly. Sounds like you are doing all the right things, as long as she keeps enjoying it and can move on from the rejections. I think they learn a lot from the experience. NYMT and BYMT are also great places to learn with like minded people. Good luck xx

Lonecatwithkitten · 15/03/2021 17:36

He's not quite big enough for BYMT and NYMT as you need to be 11.

With my DD we did BYMT and kept it local. She auditioned for professional training at 16 and got accept at Read College. Read feeds into Urdang, Bird, Laine and Conti for the degrees - which are where the vast majority of the West End Adult Stars graduate from.
She is really glad she stayed in regular school to 16 as she feels this kept her quite grounded.
You don't need to rush at castings yet if he feels this will be a long term thing.

Barmbraic · 17/03/2021 12:37

Sorry, I forgot I'd posted this! Thanks for the advice and your experience. Dd was actually invited to send another self tape since in the last couple of days but she didn't like the story synopsis we were sent (family death) so she decided to pass.

We aren't in the UK so I'll have to look at what NMYT type resources are here if she wants to pursue something more structured (she's currently doing the grade exams for the national speech and drama board) but if they don't start until 11 it sounds like we've a bit of time to think about it anyway.

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