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Drama school auditions 2024- Acting/MT

595 replies

Mcmumager · 09/01/2024 13:29

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.

OP posts:
ArlaJM · 28/02/2024 18:43

UsualChaos · 28/02/2024 01:59

@LoudSnoringDog
I remember thinking, 'if she gets into a good drama school, I can relax'. And then it was, 'if she gets a good agent, I can relax.' Then came, 'if she gets good auditions, I can relax'.
We are now at 'if she gets some recalls, I can relax' - and it's slowly dawning on me that this is never going to stop, is it?!

Yes, don't worry, it will stop, they are adults. There is no way that I would contact or be involved with my DS’s London agent.

LoudSnoringDog · 28/02/2024 19:40

Those now at the agent point. Do they get much work?

ThursdayTomorrow · 28/02/2024 19:47

Newgirls · 22/02/2024 21:27

Anyone heard from rose bruford?

Is Rose Bruford okay financially does anyone know?

UsualChaos · 28/02/2024 20:31

LoudSnoringDog · 28/02/2024 19:40

Those now at the agent point. Do they get much work?

Don't know yet! She hasn't graduated yet but has signed with an agent and has taped for 6 jobs. Recalled for one so far.

UsualChaos · 28/02/2024 20:37

@ArlaJM Oh I haven't even met or spoken to the agent, I just go on what dd tells me. Looking forward to the stress dissipating! I suppose it's because it's all so new and different.

Newgirls · 28/02/2024 22:48

ThursdayTomorrow · 28/02/2024 19:47

Is Rose Bruford okay financially does anyone know?

Edited

eek is that why it’s taking a while?

someone did say their student had an audition in March

AuditionMum24 · 28/02/2024 23:45

Has anyone heard from LIPA for straight acting?

ArlaJM · 29/02/2024 16:41

LoudSnoringDog · 28/02/2024 19:40

Those now at the agent point. Do they get much work?

I think it is very individual. My DC, work seems dependent on what they are willing to do (or not).
Agents need to make money and for that to happen they need the actor/performer to work.

Some of the work offered, if I'm honest, isn't quite what DC had hoped for (elf at Lapland, touring panto) but the agent would be more than happy to have the opportunity filled. A friend took the ‘elf job’ in December and has had an amazing time, if this is about experiences, great but perhaps not what some performers hoped for.

My DC has also found the timelines are something to work at and plan. Some auditions are a while before ( cruise ships, panto, touring shows), some audition ‘tomorrow’ and the piece is next week, quite difficult to plan for around work, necessary to support themselves.
If DC ever gets something major there will be a big debt of gratitude to the owner of the cafe where he works, for her flexibility at short notice and for keeping his job open for his return after The Fringe.

Jng1 · 29/02/2024 17:11

Just to offer an alternative point of view, as we've also been down this route - as another poster said, be aware that there are lots of different routes into Acting, and a BA Acting at Drama School is just one of them.

DS applied to drama schools after a covid gap year and got one BA offer for a 'lesser' (his assessment) London school, a waiting list place at GSA and two Foundation Place offers. None were quite what he wanted, so he rejected them all and went to top uni instead to study BA Drama on a course which is 50% Practical and 50% academic. He ended up doing a practical piece for his course each term, and also joined all the drama societies, so was in at least two shows each term. He will be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe for the second time this year with one of the groups. He's also worked with the uni film/TV society and has been in about 8 short films.

He now has a Spotlight PIN/profile, student equity membership and has been doing some paid acting work he gets through friends, contacts, Spotlight and Mandy.

He's currently applying for MA Acting at drama schools (for some 'extra training') but if he doesn't get in, is just going to try to get an agent and take it from there.
What's sad is that we see quite a few of his friends coming out of drama school and 6-12months down the line they still don't have agency representation, so they're not really any further forward.

DS is really happy with the choice he made, because he's made so many contacts at uni in the English/Drama/TV & Film departments who are the people who are now going on to work in scriptwriting/film-making/TV & theatre and there are opportunities for him to work with them.

Meanwhile, DH and I are reassured that if the acting career doesn't work out then at least he has an excellent humanities degree which he could use elsewhere to get him a job in the creative industries!

UsualChaos · 29/02/2024 17:37

@LoudSnoringDog
Update - a job offer has arrived. Really happy for dd.

Newgirls · 01/03/2024 09:38

Jng1 · 29/02/2024 17:11

Just to offer an alternative point of view, as we've also been down this route - as another poster said, be aware that there are lots of different routes into Acting, and a BA Acting at Drama School is just one of them.

DS applied to drama schools after a covid gap year and got one BA offer for a 'lesser' (his assessment) London school, a waiting list place at GSA and two Foundation Place offers. None were quite what he wanted, so he rejected them all and went to top uni instead to study BA Drama on a course which is 50% Practical and 50% academic. He ended up doing a practical piece for his course each term, and also joined all the drama societies, so was in at least two shows each term. He will be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe for the second time this year with one of the groups. He's also worked with the uni film/TV society and has been in about 8 short films.

He now has a Spotlight PIN/profile, student equity membership and has been doing some paid acting work he gets through friends, contacts, Spotlight and Mandy.

He's currently applying for MA Acting at drama schools (for some 'extra training') but if he doesn't get in, is just going to try to get an agent and take it from there.
What's sad is that we see quite a few of his friends coming out of drama school and 6-12months down the line they still don't have agency representation, so they're not really any further forward.

DS is really happy with the choice he made, because he's made so many contacts at uni in the English/Drama/TV & Film departments who are the people who are now going on to work in scriptwriting/film-making/TV & theatre and there are opportunities for him to work with them.

Meanwhile, DH and I are reassured that if the acting career doesn't work out then at least he has an excellent humanities degree which he could use elsewhere to get him a job in the creative industries!

Sounds great!

I know the other way too - friends who did biology and maths degrees now working in theatre and acting. So many paths available

somewhereinsomerset · 01/03/2024 11:54

Jng1 · 29/02/2024 17:11

Just to offer an alternative point of view, as we've also been down this route - as another poster said, be aware that there are lots of different routes into Acting, and a BA Acting at Drama School is just one of them.

DS applied to drama schools after a covid gap year and got one BA offer for a 'lesser' (his assessment) London school, a waiting list place at GSA and two Foundation Place offers. None were quite what he wanted, so he rejected them all and went to top uni instead to study BA Drama on a course which is 50% Practical and 50% academic. He ended up doing a practical piece for his course each term, and also joined all the drama societies, so was in at least two shows each term. He will be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe for the second time this year with one of the groups. He's also worked with the uni film/TV society and has been in about 8 short films.

He now has a Spotlight PIN/profile, student equity membership and has been doing some paid acting work he gets through friends, contacts, Spotlight and Mandy.

He's currently applying for MA Acting at drama schools (for some 'extra training') but if he doesn't get in, is just going to try to get an agent and take it from there.
What's sad is that we see quite a few of his friends coming out of drama school and 6-12months down the line they still don't have agency representation, so they're not really any further forward.

DS is really happy with the choice he made, because he's made so many contacts at uni in the English/Drama/TV & Film departments who are the people who are now going on to work in scriptwriting/film-making/TV & theatre and there are opportunities for him to work with them.

Meanwhile, DH and I are reassured that if the acting career doesn't work out then at least he has an excellent humanities degree which he could use elsewhere to get him a job in the creative industries!

I think this is an excellent point and a reminder that there are many ways to skin a cat. I was watching a chat show recently and Ambika Mod (currently being rather brilliant as Emma Morley in One Day on Netflix) was on the sofa
and talked about doing English at Durham, getting involved in the drama groups, performing a lot, writing. Then some stand-up after university, agent, This Is Going To Hurt... and away she goes! I met an actress recently who read English at Dublin, acted in university plays, did an MA in acting at BOVTS, and is now flying in her career. Obviously the academic route isn't for everybody but it is most definitely a route. Now if only I could get my own drama- school-applying DS to listen!

UsualChaos · 02/03/2024 01:26

@Jng1
Absolutely true and very important to emphasise this.
Dd gave herself 3 yrs to get into drama school (got in at second attempt) and would probably have gone to art college and done youth theatre had things gone differently.
She was a child actor so could have skipped training altogether, but really wanted to go.
There are plenty of other routes and drama school isn't for everyone.

kindletimeisfinetime · 02/03/2024 11:44

@somewhereinsomerset my daughter has decided to go to UCA and heard she got in.
I know it's not a big hitter but I'm so proud of her as still a 1 in 4 change of getting in due to the places available on the course.

It seems like a lovely place and seems right for her personality too!

kindletimeisfinetime · 02/03/2024 12:01

Sorry I tagged you as just hoping this is a slightly different way which will work for my dd!

Biscuitsneeded · 02/03/2024 14:29

@UsualChaos Congratulations to your DD on the job offer! That's great news. Can I ask if she trained for MT or Acting?

UsualChaos · 02/03/2024 23:04

Biscuitsneeded · 02/03/2024 14:29

@UsualChaos Congratulations to your DD on the job offer! That's great news. Can I ask if she trained for MT or Acting?

Thank you so much, really pleased for her. She did a 3 year acting course, diploma not BA.

somewhereinsomerset · 03/03/2024 09:19

kindletimeisfinetime · 02/03/2024 12:01

Sorry I tagged you as just hoping this is a slightly different way which will work for my dd!

Embarrassed to say I hadn't heard of UCA but I went to the website and it looks amazing. And some of the recent alumni are really pulling up trees - movies, National Theatre. Congratulations to your DD and hope it works out well for her.

LoudSnoringDog · 03/03/2024 10:32

UsualChaos · 29/02/2024 17:37

@LoudSnoringDog
Update - a job offer has arrived. Really happy for dd.

This is great!!

DS had a call for shrek last week but got cut ( enjoyed the experience though)
he has a call for royal Caribbean cruises next week. His friend got selected for Cunard yesterday and leaves for a transatlantic cruise in a few weeks

kindletimeisfinetime · 03/03/2024 18:27

Thank you @somewhereinsomerset

I'm hoping it's a quiet hidden gem of a place! It did seem a good course and good links so hopefully it'll work out for her.

I do worry if she is tough enough really for the cut throat business but we'll see what happens!!

UsualChaos · 04/03/2024 12:11

@LoudSnoringDog
That's great that he got in the room for Shrek. I think if you can get seen then that's really positive and you learn from every experience. I really feel for the grads/young people who aren't getting auditions so are not able to meet casting directors or have those experiences.
Keep on keeping on!

Grockle · 09/03/2024 16:22

Oh, hello! I've found people in the same boat as me! This process is agonising. I've read the whole thread and it sounds like it's so hard for everyone. There's clearly a lot of very talented young people around.

My DS has worked really hard and has some great offers, including 3yr MT at LIPA and a Foundation yr at Conti.

He's really disappointed about Conti and seems to think he's failed, and wants to dismiss it, but I'm wondering if he should consider it and re-apply next year? Or is it best just to go for the 3yrs at LIPA? My worry is it's 5 hours from us, but we loved Liverpool and he really liked LIPA. Does it matter not being in London?

somewhereinsomerset · 09/03/2024 18:40

I really don't think it matters not being in London. Some of the best drama schools at the moment - Bristol Old Vic; Royal Welsh; Royal Scotland - are all outside London and they're all cheaper places to live. If he does the foundation at Conti will he get a govt loan or do you have to pay yourself?

71deedee · 09/03/2024 19:35

Grockle · 09/03/2024 16:22

Oh, hello! I've found people in the same boat as me! This process is agonising. I've read the whole thread and it sounds like it's so hard for everyone. There's clearly a lot of very talented young people around.

My DS has worked really hard and has some great offers, including 3yr MT at LIPA and a Foundation yr at Conti.

He's really disappointed about Conti and seems to think he's failed, and wants to dismiss it, but I'm wondering if he should consider it and re-apply next year? Or is it best just to go for the 3yrs at LIPA? My worry is it's 5 hours from us, but we loved Liverpool and he really liked LIPA. Does it matter not being in London?

We are in a similar situation, three year offer for Emil Dale and a foundation year offer at SOTE. He is erring towards the foundation year, simply to polish up his technique and then apply again as we are still new to the game and polish is needed! I would imagine either option would work! Conti foundation certainly isn’t a failure!!

LoudSnoringDog · 09/03/2024 19:39

Emil Dale has a great rep and just moved to a new site.

DS has a call for Cats Tuesday and also an audition for Royal Caribbean cruise line later in the week.