Lamda?

[Meepme]

I wonder if anyone's children have done this for a few years and found it beneficial? My children seem to love it so far but I don't know much about it plus its just been taster sessions.

It depends.

If you have a good teacher and the kids are just doing it for fun then it's fine.

If you have children who are seriously interested in the industry then avoid. It's very painting by numbers - you can generally spot the LAMDA kids a mile off in classes and at auditions, and it's not at all the style casting directors want.

DD did Lamda acting to grade 6 and musical theatre to grade 7 she's now in professional musical theatre training so hugely useful for her in developing her career.
It did improve her confidence, pubic speaking and singing voice.

I should she was taught by ex West End performers so was less paint by numbers more learning to use her existing skills. She did score near perfect marks in all her grades.

My children love what they have done so far. I dont anticipate they want to act/perform though.

I used to run LAMDA classes and my daughter took the exams at her vocational school.

I never used the paint by numbers identikit approach. Students got good marks but I know they could have got higher if I had used the former approach. However I felt it more important for them to be involved in the creative process.

However just before I finished the syllabus changed and I think it became even more paint by numbers.

Lamda certaily helps with confidence and communication skills though.

If they are enjoying what they are learning, it’s no bad thing. If you’re not fussed about the exams, you could ask if they can do the (non-taster) course without the exam. They offer this where my DS does LAMDA and it works out cheaper because you’re not charged the exam fee. DS does the exams but some of his friends do everything up to the exam but just perform in the classroom for their peers rather than for the examiner.

Reading the comments above, I’m guessing there is a fair amount of difference with different teachers. My DS is a working young actor and he has found the lessons useful. They certainly haven’t caused him problems professionally. But he has chosen all his own songs and texts and written all his speeches on topics of his choice. He does one school term per exam, and I know some places suggest a whole year per exam. I think it could feel very rote by that point.

But that is beside the point I’d they don’t want to perform regularly. If they enjoy it and it gives them the confidence to speak and/or sing in front of others, I reckon that’s an excellent life skill. The Speaking in Public grades have made my wandering, tangent-taking child learn how to speak clearly and concisely. (Likely more concisely than this post.)

@CatatonicLadybug my children adore their teacher and she's mentioned something in passing about them doing exams (though I genuinely don't know much about that). I am very unconfident with public speaking so something I'd love them to be good at!

@Comefromaway
I've started teaching LAMDA recently. The children do well in exams but I had no idea there was a 'paint by numbers' identi kit or formula that achieves high marks. Or what these traits are of LAMDA students.

Any help? I'm interested in what I'm doing right or wrong!

DD is currently doing grade 7. I don't know if the teachers (she just swapped this Summer) are doing it in a paint by number approach but she also did drama GCSE and found her LAMDA experiences helpful, especially the paperwork part of it.

She is currenlty doing it as an extra-curriculum via the school and her A-level drama teacher also supports it.

In addition she is part of an amateur theatre group and loves performing and is very confident on stage and when speaking in front of an audience.