Saturday Theatre schools

[sewknit56]

My DS is nearly 16 and adores performing he had been at a Saturday theatre school since he was 9. He never got any leading roles despite only being 3 boys in his class. They even used girls to fill main boy roles and he always ended up in the ensemble. I haven;t wanted to be one of these pushy mums but I questioned it at the end of year 2 yrs ago - and they said he is such a stand out performer that he suits ensemble roles more than the main roles hence why they didn't give him big roles. When they get reviews for their shows he always gets a special mention because he does shine in the chorus but It was a little disheartening for him because at school he always gets the lead roles.

So in September 22 he made the decision to go to a different drama school and he has had 3 leading roles BUT he hates the ethos, the teachers and the students so wants to go back to his original school with and just perform in the background. They would love to have him back and he can go back after easter. He had a massive group of friends at his old theatre school and although he didn't get any main parts he enjoyed the way this school operated far more than his new one although he seemed to be their rising star. New school do not want to lose him!!

My question is from a confidence point of view the old school that he wants to go back to make him feel that he isn't worthy and he isn't a good performer due to the lack of main roles but he loves the atmosphere and the fun he has which contradicts itself I know but this is exactly how he feels. New school he feels very confident and believes in himself but hates it!! He has passed an audition at a sixth form performing arts specialist college so I know he has the talent and the ability. However he is also academic so he may stay at his current school to do A levels.

His plan is to apply to drama school after sixth form and he knows it is very tough but if he goes to his original theatre school where he only ever gets ensemble parts he is worried that drama schools will not even consider him as they are only interested in people with vast big parts under their belt.

I know I am probably biased but I think he is amazing and his previous theatre school don't even give him the opportunity to show case his talent in a larger role for whatever reason.

Do drama schools look at previous experience? For example if we couldn't afford saturday theatre school and he had no drama experience except from school would he even get considered for an audition or do they literally only audition students who have worked professionally and have had lots of lead roles in amateur productions

I have no idea but would be interested in the answer. I do however know someone who just completed a Dance / Performing degree who only started performing at 16. I would also say there is a huge regional bias in working professionally before college so there must be many kids who don’t have loads of experience under their belt when applying.

Drama schools don’t care about previous experience at all. It’s all about how you do at audition.

Second this drama schools are looking for trainability someone how has underlying talent, but above all is going to listen and work hard.

If anything they may make more allowances for someone who has less experience

He needs to stay on at school and do A-levels. Everyone in the performing arts industry needs a Plan B, and starting full-time training at 18 will not hold him back in any way at all. (Speaking as the parent of someone who's been through the system).

When it comes to the local theatre schools, why does he hate the current one? And is it drama or musical theatre?

Drama schools will take people with no prior acting experience whatsoever if they have the natural ability.

Not everyone is suited to A levels. Plus performing arts 6th forms offer the same qualifications as normal schools/colleges anyway which are either A levels or Btecs, they just offer enhanced training alongside.
my daughter did A levels plus a musical theatre diploma at her specialist college.

Yes, but there is a massive difference between a full-time specialist vocational performing arts college (offering such things as Trinity diplomas funded by DaDa) which also provides A-levels, and a local academic college offering A-levels with a performing arts department teaching level 3 Btecs in performing arts.

they said he is such a stand out performer that he suits ensemble roles more than the main roles hence why they didn't give him big roles.

I really don’t understand this. People who stand out, if they are good, should be given the main roles. Ensemble members can have interesting characters but shouldn’t be continually drawing focus from the main action.

Have I misunderstood? It sounds like flannel to me.

I know, I have two children who attended both types of institution.

but you said OP’s son should stay at school to do A levels. That assumes that he is both academically suited to A levels and the school has a 6th form.

My son would never have passed an A level but he got enough ucas points on a performing arts subject Btec at the local college to go to uni. He chose not to go to a specialist performing arts 6th form.

my daughter on the other hand did go to specialist 6th form and took A levels there (she was Dada funded) she chose not to to a Btec.

I think this is less true now most of the courses are degrees enabling students to obtain teaching qualifications if they are no longer able or no longer want to perform.