Stage school scholarships

[billsnewhat]

Just wondering if anybody has any idea of gaining a scholarship at any of the stage schools ie Italia Conti or Sylvia Young. My son has always loved performing and I know he is good and he lives to perform- he literally performs all day everyday at home. He is starting at our local theatre school in September but after being in a mini musical this week I have been inundated with the comments about his exceptional talent and that I have to do something - I need to believe how exceptional he really is. There is absolutely no way we could afford stage school fees and wonder if I should try him for a scholarship. Any advice how competitive this is??

i dont know much about it other than you can get drama tutors for it, like you can 11+ tutors (my dd's LAMDA teacher also taught for drama auditions like this). where are you based OP? maybe my tutor for dd is near you?

There are many many ways to encourage and support them in musical theatre without going to stage school. Local groups are great and then national youth musical theatre and British youth musical theatre run auditions in January for very well respected summer programs.

These summer programs are a great way for them to gain experience. The vast majority of musical theatre stars ( who have long term careers) come through regular school and these programs till they are 16 and then move into professional training at 16 to do the OCR Cambridge extended diploma in musical theatre that is equivalent to three A-levels and the on to the big colleges like Bird, Urdang, Trinity and Arts Ed.

This route ensures that not only are they well rounded performers, but that they have the qualifications to teach if needed.
At 10 consider LAMDA’s musical theatre exams, acting lessons, ballet and jazz classes. All musical theatre performers need good technical ballet and jazz. All of this you will be able to get locally.

There is a vocational school called Hammond in Chester. They take children from year 7. Also Tring school for Performing Arts, they used to be called Arts Educational. I know of these schools as my child is a dancer, not sure how easy it is to get funding for Italia Conti amd Sylvia Young.

There will be several hundred applicants who have a background in technical ballet, jazz, tap, drama, singing. Normally good all rounders with a favoured speciality. They must also have a good standard of maths and English. Scholarship kids are usually already affiliated with performing in the West End or similar as competition is really high.

There's a forum called notapushymum which it's probably worth checking out. Lots of advice there. You can get DADA scholarships for performing arts training but it is competitive, although a bit easier for boys than girls.

I would suggest that you contact the schools and enquire about their audition process.
I know that Sylvia Young takes children from year 7 and has given Scholarships before but you should contact the full time school for more information .