Drama school auditions 2024- Acting/MT

[Mcmumager]

Is anyone starting the journey of drama school auditions and starting to feel the stress? Maybe sending them to drama group was a big mistake lol.

I know my son’s girlfriend was rejected two years ago but got a place last year after doing a foundation type course elsewhere.

I see Arts Ed have lost their latest principal to accusations of bullying and favouritism. The drama school industry does seem very poorly-led. Not that that ever stops the thousands applying!

The stories I could tell & sadly the person concerned is still in post.

Eek! I hope it’s not where my dd is going.

what an industry 🤦‍♀️

Your Dd is doing actor/muso? If so she’s safe.

Me too!

In both acting and MT streams. Thankfully one of the staff members is now gone. I believe the other is still there.

And they are so desperate that they tolerate it! Even in this day and age, my ds was a gymnast prior to finding musical theatre and it’s the same in that sport! Just awful

Leeds have just posted this if anyone is still looking for a last minute place!

I don’t really understand this. DD was invited for a callback but didn’t get offered a place. How can they suddenly offer places … do they require an audition ?

One very happy YP in my house today. offer for foundation at EDA from waitlist. Now to sort out some accommodation which looks like it’s going to be tricky.

Congratulations @SailorgirlUK great news. There are some new EDA parents on here who might offer some tips.

Yes, @newsmummy they did when my daughter applied - although it was an online one for the Actor/Musician but that was after she'd done an in person one for MT.

It may be down to balancing voices/actor 'types' across the cohort?

Yes. Self tape initially I think.

Congratulations to your Daughter YP Sailorgirl

Brilliant news! Accommodation is a bloody nightmare though! We’ve managed to secure a room in a 6 bed house share.

Congratulations to your YP - super exciting! My YP is starting the BA in September. We have been able to get a house in Hitchin via OpenRent - so this may be worth a look at? I know the FB group is up and running now as well?

Did any of your YP have agents post 16? My DD due to start ArtsEd sixth form in Sept and they said they only invite agents at the end of year 13. i know most teen roles are not played by teens but older adults but surely there is a chance for an actual teen?

To be honest things have changed and while it used to be the case that you were dead from 13 to 16 and out of licence, it's now looking more as if they will cast actual 13/14 and everything else is now 18+

Lots of roles playing 15/16 for girls are now played by actresses in their 20's.

The industry is also extremely slow still and agents/CDs only interested in people with recent international screen credits in decent productions.

For 16/17 year old girls I know with decent cvs (TV, West End, VO credits) and in high ranked agencies, most have only had a handful of auditions in the last 12 months because that is all there is. And a lot of those have gone to big name actresses over 18. Given most people work to a 50 auditions to book 1 role rule of thumb, it's all a bit dismal when you've had less than 10 in a year.

Hence agents aren't so keen to take on 16/17 as while they don't need a licence, they do still need chaperones, have issues with school saying no etc.

Some of my dc's (Acting) friends had agents whilst in 6th form but they were students who already had film/tv credits. A handful disappeared off for filming a few times. I am not aware that the school had any problem with this. I can't speak for MT.

Dc's current degree course does not permit this.

Most students left choosing to move either on to further education or straight in to jobs/auditions, not both.

By all accounts, combining the vocational and academic workload at Arts Ed 6th (as well as post 18 applications, self tapes, auditions etc in Year 13) is more than enough to contend with, and you'd struggle to fit in going to auditions - for which there's little hope of being cast unless you're already very well established. I'd get sixth form done and then see whether the DC wants university, or drama.school, or to try to make a go of working with an agent then.

Thanks all!

Hi there, hope we are all getting on with the preparation and kit lists! He still can’t cook, use the washing machine etc so he will definitely be flying by the seat of his pants. A level results on Thursday too, he went into them with high hopes and predictions but a year from hell with the loss of two grandparents and then getting mugged kind of squashed his sparkle so who knows what Thursday will bring! Accommodation is sorted, kit list is being worked through and freshers events are being planned. Good luck to everyone else, it’s not been an easy path by any stretch of the imagination but neither is the industry and it’s something we just need to learn to ride!

Hope a level results go ok x

yes going to encourage some more cooking here - or at least shopping for some veg…

dd very excited about the kit list and the need for more dancing shoes - it’s joyful to see

Veg!! An interesting concept!

My dd starting at Arts Ed in September. Accommodation sorted sharing a flat with 2 girls. I’m starting to have sleepless nights worrying about her being in London, getting lost and being safe. Anyone else feel like this? 🙄