Performing Arts 2025

[doesanybodyhaveamap]

Starting a thread re: performing arts applicants for 2025. If one already exists, happy to be redirected!!

Anyone pressed 'send' on their applications yet? Curious as to timelines for initial responses and to submit self tapes....

Buckling in for a long and nervous journey!

I know a few young people who have been to LMA. It is not good.

Finally heard from Leeds - reserve list currently. So that's two reserve lists now... fingers crossed for third time lucky with RB in April!

So lovely to hear of people getting offers after so much effort 👏
Does anyone have any insight into Acting Foundation at Italia Conti, please? Supporting a family member who's just starting out. They've passed on the Foundation offer at RBC, but the Italia Conti offer seems more attractive.

Glad you have finally heard even though it is mixed news. Hopefully there will be movement on the reserve lists once everywhere has finished auditioning and all offers are out.

My DD is on the Acting Foundation at Conti. She's loving it. It's quite intense but she thrives on that. They do work them hard. Lots of early mornings - she has several 8am classes a week - I feel like she's definitely getting her money's worth!
She really wants to get on the BA Acting course for September, but they have to audition like everyone else, so it's quite a stressful time.

Thank you. That's really helpful.
It's not close to home for her so accommodation and cost would be an issue too. Glad your DD is enjoying it and feels the course is worthwhile. I hope she's successful in gaining a BA offer that she wants.

Thank you for this, do you know why? I'd like to be able to explain to DS with some concrete examples.

I've heard about overcrowded classes, disorganisation, low entry standards (according to UCAS they accept 80% of applicants). I've seen videos of their performances and apart from the odd performer they do not look well trained.

Some of the YP left before their course ended due to the above but I don't think they get many agents attending their showcases.

An update on Conti. Whilst waiting for the email with instructions on how to upload her material, my daughter had recorded her self tapes at the weekend, carefully following the information on their website. She finally gets an email from them today with the instructions, which includes something that is not on their website, namely that in their introduction to each tape, applicants have to state or display their UCAS ID number. She feels she has to redo them all now and really doesn't have time. My view is that it can't matter that much and she should just send the tapes she has done. The application to Conti is outside the UCAS system!

If she really feels this must be included, could she just add a clip of her holding the UCAS number at the end of each tape?

@OhCrumbsWhereNow I did suggest that, but she thinks it'll look bad...

My DD was able to edit her name and UCAS number over the recording. So as she introduces herself and the piece, it scrolls on the screen.

Apparently it’s i movie or if she doesn’t have Apple, try CapCut.

The person who’s graduating this year, felt thst there were not enough training hours and the teaching was poor.

They also felt that the support for third years about to go out in the industry wasn’t good. In fact, they have actually set up their own little production company, producing small plays and MT evenings with singers, hiring small theatres and selling tickets, so is very proactive, but when I spoke to them, they rolled their eyes and said she should avoid it.

Thanks, this is really useful and I'm so glad I asked!

I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask but my DC has been offered a place at The Brit School for sixth form on their Musical Theatre strand. I wondered if anyone has an experience of the school/ course? Has anyone’s DC attended Brit? I’m interested in finding out about the quality of teaching and where the students end up after the course? As there are no A-levels so any of them get into university? I’d be very grateful if anyone has any insight. Thank you.

No direct experience of Brit School, due to it's limited cathment area but a friend's son went to BOA which is similar. I know they offer the UAL Extended Diploma which is very similar to a Btec. Many universities accept this qualification. If you want to apply to Oxbridge or a study an academic subject where a certain A level is a requirement (such as maths) then you won't get in but it is widely accepted elsewhere.

It's generally a good school with a high success rate. It's one of our largest feeder schools, although of course not every student gets in.

The UAL extended diploma is accepted for university entrance but may not get them in to a highly ranked academic programme/university if they decide to pivot away from MT programmes and into a more traditional discipline. That makes it less flexible than A Levels for an undecided student. It's still enough UCAS points for university entry though.

Thank you for the responses. @DramaSchoolInsider which school do you work in if you don't mind me asking? In your opinion would attending The Brit have a positive impact on drama school applications? Thank you

This is something I've wanted to ask for a while but if your child wanted to do a music degree or a dance degree you'd approve? I ask because I have a relative who prohibited such degrees and their DC was later pressured into doing psychology.

A friends grandchildren both attended and they loved it. One went into the singer songwriter field and whilst has been working at it for several years now with a well known label, has just hit the big time. The other just finished at Royal Welsh studying MT and has a good agent. Both however are exceptional singers.

If you’re talented and driven, Britt will take you there.

@Mumster40 - the Brit School has a very good success rate with getting their students into drama schools on their first round of applications. They work hard to prepare their students, and the students themselves have a good reputation in the industry. I was actually talking to a drama school grad this afternoon who had come out of the Brit School about this and they were praising the Brit School's input which helped them get in at 18 - something that we know, from this thread, is quite unusual.

I don't want to say as I think I'll be too identifiable. It's a London school that has been mentioned.

Brit school definitely helps prepare students really well. They do have a high success rate, but it's very competitive to get in so those students are very talented anyway. If my kid got a place and this was the career they wanted then I would take it.

I see a huge amount of very talented young people graduating and having successful careers in all sorts of areas of the arts. And a lot of people who are so driven and passionate about their art form that I don't know if they would really enjoy doing anything else.

But it's a hard life at times and you do have to be realistic about your talents. Not everyone is going to 'make it'. But you can still have a fulfilling career that pays the bills, even if you end up pivoting to a non performing career.

Just updating to say DS got an offer for Trinity's Foundation course today. He's thrilled even though it's not the full course, and I am delighted for him.

@livingonaprairiecongrats!

please do think about if your DS want to take up that offer as I understand he would have to reaudition next year for the BA course with no guarantee he may get in?

Yes he's well aware there are no guarantees of getting on to the BA course next year, but it also means he can audition for some of the other drama schools again, and with an extra year's experience under his belt it will hopefully stand him in good stead.