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Higher education

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Foundation drama courses

3 replies

Incatilly · 18/05/2024 08:18

Hi,
My son has two offers for foundation courses at Oxford School of Drama and LAMDA. Can anyone offer any advice on making a decision on these? Many thanks.

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 18/05/2024 08:25

LAMDA is a more respected school imo.

the questions to ask himself though-

  1. can you afford this
  2. what are you hoping this leads too?
  3. is that realistic- or aspirational - and if the latter what’s the plan B.
  4. can you afford it 😂
YourPithyLilacSheep · 18/05/2024 11:18

LAMDA is the more recognised & established course - it's probably the oldest drama school (conservatoire) in the country. Oxford DS is well-respected, but doesn't have the immediate notice that LAMDA has, nor such good connections to the profession.

But - the thing you need to think about, however, is that if he's not ready/good enough to get into the main degree programme at LAMDA or RADA or East15 etc etc (these are courses eligible for student loans, and offer degrees) then is he good enough right now to spend money on a "foundation" year?

There are many many drama schools which will take your money but the offer of a place is not an indication of the requisite qualities to make it in the profession.

Sometimes, young people need a bit of life lived before they are in the right place for drama school. I come from a family of professional performers (dancers & actors) and the dancers need early intense training, but the actors didn't really hit their strides till mid-20s. They did all sorts of other stuff before going into full-time drama school - which they kept doing while auditioning and in between show contracts.

95% of actors are unemployed. And I think most people outside the profession underestimate just how talented (AND lucky) you have to be - just how talented, mostly, to make it in the profession. What looks like a talented young person in a school play or youth drama group may not quite cut it in the actual profession.

mimbleandlittlemy · 18/05/2024 20:52

Oxford School is very well respected within the industry. The coming and going of Sarah Frankcom in rather short order took a bit of a toll on LAMDA. Agents and casting directors think very well of both.

As an agent of 35 years standing, I am not a huge fan of the money spinner that is Foundation but I think it’s a toss of a coin between the two if he has his heart set on that path. I hope he knows it is absolutely no guarantee of a place on a three year course afterwards - some people think it is an easy route but acceptance rates for Foundation grads are notoriously low.

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