Stage Schools

[Cindy1313]

My11 year old daughter has been dancing since she was 2 and is very keen on joining the italia conti stage school. She is sure that it would be the right place for her but my husband and I are worried about the amount of academic education she would get and if this would be the right thing to do.

Thank you

I know nothing about the main school, but is there an academy near you? They usually run on Saturdays and the teachers come out from the London School. This means your DD can continue at her regular school and then do the stage school stuff on Saturday without having to board.

Be careful about stage schools at such a young age. there can be a difference between training and stage schools. Some create people that have no individuality, life experience or personality so they all become the same (as seen on many a cruise ship!). Encourage her to do extra curricular sessions as joining a stage school at such a young age (learning she is too 'fat', too 'ugly' etc at such an early age can be detrimental to their confidence. If she is determined then she can prove it by working hard and mixing with a wide mix of children. (I teach drama so I do know a bit!) Dance training is always good early on but leave the voice until she has developed her own voice, style and musical appreciation or she will be nothing more than another soul less product. Good Luck! On the other side acting has never been a safe career but we now live in a society where there are no jobs for life so any industry any one is going in to is not safe!