2012 DRAMA SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

[Welsh Mum]

She's in her second year at Central School of Speech and Drama. Loves it

[angelam]

Oh lovely. What's her favourite parts of her experience. Does she get to come home often - I see you're in Wales?

[Welsh Mum]

She is really enjoying the course and has had some great experiences - her class performed inthe Oliviers last year - she even met Stephen Sondheim! She does not get home in term time, though I usually manage to get up there and take her out to the theatre and meals It's a time consuming course - she is in college from 7.30 each morning till 6.00 pm (though she also has 2 even later nights - one for extra cardio and the other stage combat - on those nights she gets home about 8.30). During the day they have an hour for lunch. She also has evening/Saturday rehearsals for productions. There is also a lot of research/preparation/background reading to do - along with learning lines etc. So anyone thinking of auditioning must be aware of how intensive it is - it's just not like a normal uni course, they do get out on week ends, but its not like the social life my other DD has at uni. However, as I have said, she loves it even when exhausted she has never doubted it wasn't for her.

[Nicola]

Oh my GOODNESS, Welshmum - they're incredibly long day indeed!

[angelam]

Thanks Welshmum. Definitely not for the fainthearted. I will get my ds to read your post as it is a real eye opener.
I guess it is the same in all the schools?

[riverdancefan]

really interesting to read that Welshmum - thanks everso for posting

[pg]

I think that's an earlier start (Central) than some schools but all the CDS schools have long days and lots of contact time. It's very difficult to fit in term time work (i.e. money-earning work) which is another factor to consider - especially for those in London where living costs are so high.

[Flosmom]

Crikey! If anyone thought drama school was a soft option, they just need to read this, don't they?

Thanks for the insight. Since mine are 9 and 7 right now, we have a way to go before this comes onto our radar. But it's great to follow the posts here and on other threads. I am in awe of the NAPMs who are helping their young adults to navigate their way through the choices, constraints and competition. Way to go, all of you! And good luck to your DCs

Deb x

[Caroline A-C]

My ds is studying Musical Theatre at Arts Ed and has to be in at 8am each morning. Most days finish at 6/6.30pm with an hour for lunch. He is so shattered by the time the weekend comes round but is absolutely loving college life. It is a real commitment and you have to be totally dedicated, but is fantastic.

[JTBmum]

Can anyone tell me if there are any drama schools that allow students to audition or take part in stuff while studying?

[Welsh Mum]

I think that's an earlier start (Central) than some schools but all the CDS schools have long days and lots of contact time. It's very difficult to fit in term time work (i.e. money-earning work) which is another factor to consider - especially for those in London where living costs are so high.

Yes Central expect you to be in doing individual/personal warm up before the group warm up at 8.00.

DD only gets paid work in the holidays. However, she has been lucky to do several modelling gigs at wedding fayres on a Sunday - does 2-3 a term - which does help.

Living costs are high - the student maintenance loan would not even cover her rent - which in london has to be paid 12 months of the year (unlike most uni towns where there is far more chance of a shorter lease.)

[islandofsodor]

Dh has just starting teaching at Mountview. If a student is 5 mins late they have to report to the office and give their reason and if it is not good enought are sent home for the rest of the day.

it is rigorous!

[Caroline A-C]

Similar at Arts Ed - if you are late three times you can be thrown out - seems really unfair to me but maybe it is there as a deterent more than anything else.

[Caroline A-C]

JTBmum - you cannot do anything which takes up college time so auditions etc are out normally.

[angelam]

Can anyone tell me if there are any drama schools that allow students to audition or take part in stuff while studying?

Em that's interesting. I've read with rada that you can't do professional work while with them. So is that just in term time or for the whole 3 years? It seems like they would need a small fortune to survive in London if you haven't got time to do part time work and you can't take on professional work!!