Has anyone got experience of drama school applications? Particularly musical theatre?

[RenegadeKeeblerElf]

DD is desperate to pursue musical theatre as a career. She's tried looking at other careers but every time we go to an open day she comes away miserable because it just isn't what she wants to do. I've agreed to support her with this as I feel she needs to feel like she's done everything she can to make it a success but I'm worried she isn't at a high enough level.

She does a musical theatre class weekly outside of college and has done a few other shows, but no formal training (and no performance based A levels). She's not a powerful singer (but can carry a tune and has started singing lessons), she's a good dancer but as I say, no formal training. She's also quite an introvert and although she comes out of her shell on stage, this wouldn't necessarily come across in an interview/audition. We are looking at foundation courses rather than straight into a degree but I just don't know how high the standard will be and worry that she's missed the boat by not starting training younger. Does anyone have any experience to share?

DD2 is doing musical theatre at Chichester. There are people who got in without much training in dance, but I suspect the biggest issue your dd would have is you say her voice isn't that strong. Those who had done little dance normally have a very strong singing voice.

Why does she want to do it?
Has she done lots of performance?
Could it also be that she just isn't sure what she wants to do, or doesn't want to do what she thinks you think she should do?

My suggestion would be to look at one of the following:

1. Apply, with the expectation of not getting in and then have a rethink. See if she can find a gap year volunteer/job around performing.
2. She looks at something else to do around the theatre. Ds is going for lighting, you can also do management, set design, sound, costumes etc.
3. She goes for something totally different at uni, but looks to getting involved in the theatre side. I'd add Durham to the above list - dd1 got really involved in the drama at Durham and there were lots of opportunities. And she looks at when she finishes joining a musical theatre group; round here there are loads.

Has she considered actor/musician courses? They are not quite as cut throat & it’s a growing sector.

I've seen those advertised but can't work out what the difference is - would she need to have a high grade on an instrument? Although she has violin lessons she hasn't done any exams, it's more for fun.

The gap year course sounds like a good plan. Our local youth mt group puts on annual shows and many former members crew for it. They and likes of nymt offer discounts on fees if finances are an issue.

Most actor musician courses you have to be competent on your instrument but not virtuosic. It’s more about being versatile.

@RenegadeKeeblerElfwhy don’t you let ber try and let the audition process decide. Then she knows she has had a go? You can also ask her to choose a back up plan as well.
if she is set on working in MT, you will just “kill her dreams” by telling her she may not make it. Let her try

It is such a competitive industry - my son is 17 and we are looking at options for MT courses. He is currently at 6th form doing a BTEC in performing arts and does 4 hrs of MT training a week but most of the kids in his MT school do about 14 hrs training a week. Unfortunately we can not afford for him to do this. I have taken a second job to pay for extra singing lessons for him to get him audition ready.

None of his female friends got in to any drama schools this year or last year however every boy did so girls are definitely at a distinct disadvantage.

I remember watching him in his first show with his drama school when he was about 10 and some of the 17/18 yr old leads were amazing. Some of these got into the top schools Conti, mountview, GSA but still struggle to find work.

My DS is now looking at doing a MT degree at a uni (ie Winchester, Farnham or Falmouth) as he is quite academic they are not so full on and then he can use this to get other jobs not just MT.

It is such a cut throat industry.

I would say maybe apply and send in self tapes or go to audition as she has nothing to lose but be prepared for lots of rejection.

My DS2 is 17 and hoping to start uni in sept next year. He’s planning on going down the drama/production/direction route. He’s a very very good actor and a good but not brilliant singer and dancer - so MT really isn’t for him, though he’s been training in all three disciplines (albeit mainly drama) since he was 11. He’s adding extra options by going down the uni route rather than applying for drama school, and adding in practical experience in production and direction, which he has a huge passion for. I’m trying remember how many productions and competitions he’s been in over the past six years - maybe 30ish? He also writes his own material and his EPQ is drama and performance based. So he has a lot of supracurricular evidence for his ucas form.

From his training he knows a few young people who’ve got into Bird, Laine, Trinity Laban, Performers and Rose Bruford. All are on MT courses other than the Rose Bruford boy (RB doesn’t do MT - he’s doing Actor Musician - he’s a very talented actor and plays 4 instruments). They are all, without exception, sublimely talented singers. The one at Bird is an equally talented dancer.

From DS’s years training locally, he knows some incredibly talented adults who tutor and act in our local theatres rather than performing for a living. As others have said on this thread, MT is so so competitive and even some of the most talented people don’t ’make it’. Good luck to your DD and I hope she is successful in the path she chooses x

It's incredibly competitive even for those who have trained for years and there is so little work at the end. You have to think that there are well over 1k graduates every year and only a handful of jobs.

A significant number of the top colleges have top-up fees and/or are in expensive cities so realistically you are also graduating with debts in excess of 100k.

If it's not something you have to do then do something else.

I know so many kids going down this path, but they have been training since they were 3 or 4 years old. High level dance in multiple genres, exceptional voices, West End credits etc and it's still really tough to get into a good college.

She's really left it very late if she doesn't have access and funds to do intensive training for a couple of years in both dance and singing.

You also need to be mentally strong - the industry is mainly rejection even if you are successful.

I would suggest she studies something else and finds a university with good drama extra curricular and make the most of am dram opportunities. She will probably have far more fun that way.

GAMTA. GPRO, G_JUNIORS, GAMTA JUNIORS, GPRO SCOTLAND | Musical Theatre Training | GPRO SCOTLAND, 30 Dornoch Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow, UK A good reputation and lots of student contact time compared with FE Colleges. I believe auditions are still taking place.