Drama School Drop outs???

[Chaffeurmum]

Thank all the peps on this site who have given me and my ds excellent advice and encouragement over the years. A new dilemma:

My ds may be offered a huge part in a West End production, but it would mean giving up his place at drama school. (He is finishing his first year) He fought tooth and nail for this place, as they all did. Any ideas on whether this is a good, bad or terrible idea???

He has had lots of rejections in the past and it seems ironic that his first break may scupper his chances of getting a proper training. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

To be honest, he is having a tough time at drama school anyhow as he is younger than the rest and rather out of the party crowd. I was hoping for a few years not worrying about auditions but the casting directors actually approached him this time (the first time ever) Really wanted him to get his qualification and once you start working, it never seems to happen.

You guys are always there for us. xxx

[CatKat_0]

I have no professional experience to offer, so it's only my initial thoughts but a huge part in a west end show sounds too good to me to give up. With that experience on the CV and obvious talent enough to land the role, couldn't he just re-apply? I think others on here are probably better qualified to offer advice, however for me- I'd be going for the role and hoping the place would be deferred for me or to re-apply with additional experience on my CV.

[bruno2]

Wow sounds great ! Well done to DS . I know a few people that have given up college for roles in tv, I think one of them may have put her training on hold for 1 year. Isnt there a chance the college could keep his place open for him. Good luck I personally think he should go for it ! But I am definately not no expert.

[DQsMum]

How wonderful that he has been sought out, and offered a role

A quandary for you I am sure, especially if he is finding college challenging.
I have no experience of this either, so my points are pure conjecture -
Would the college hold his place/ defer 2nd year, as experience is beneficial and Kudos for the college?
If not, might having started and given up, albeit for a role, look bad on future college applications - as showing lack of commitment?

Good luck with your decision making. Let us know.

[sapphire]

First of all, congratulations to your DS on landing this role My DD who is also in her first year at drama school did a short film at Christmas with a couple of other young actors who chose not to go to drama school and I know she wonders if she made the right decision when she sees them working and building up their cvs and contacts. While training is important, I think your experience and cv credits are what's important at the end of the day. Once you are out there working, I am not sure how much attention casting directors pay to where you trained or even if you have!

DD says that one of her schools most famous graduates dropped out in second year after being offered a job and she always finds it strange that the teachers use him as an example of what not to do when he is possibly their most successful graduate. Deferring second year may be a possibility and could be worth exploring if your DS has a friendy tutor he can talk to this about. I know a student at Man Met who did that after being cast in a TV series. He dropped out at the start of third year and went back the following year to finish his course. I suppose it comes down to what your DS thinks he would regret more? Good luck to him and let us know what he decides to do

[emi's mum]

He needs to take the job and either defer or leave the school. I have worked with so many people who haven't finished their training or gone to drama school and it hasn't stopped them from being successful. My sister left Central without graduating to go straight work in the West End......I have also come across many who have completed their qualification and never had their break into work so my advice would be to take the job. The 'learning' he would do will come with the job. There is nothing like practical experience and this sounds like something many grads strive for for years after leaving.
In an audition he will never be asked if he has a degree or a GCSE or a scout badge do it will not matter to a casting director if he has trained or not. Is he good enough and right for the role is all they will need to see and they also look at the credits he has......this will do him more good than bad.
Without hesitation I would say take it. He will never look back.
Huge congratulations to him. This is his break!!!

[Caroline A-C]

Fantastic news. Have you spoken to the Head of the course? They may well keep his place open. I know that a girl at my dd's college had to drop out for a year (injury rather than work) and she was able to continue after taking a year out so it is possible. I know that you have to complete two years of the three year course to be able to say you trained at whatever college. I would have thought that the college would be pleased for your ds and positive about keeping his place open. Well done again and good luck.

[pg]

I would echo the advice to talk to the Principal of the school.

Ultimately it will be his decision, but the school will (or should) have the experience to judge the likely impact of this role on his future career and help to weigh this up against the disadvantages of leaving training early. If he can defer then this would be a great compromise I think - unless of course he then goes on to more and more jobs!

I agree with emi's mum and sapphire that what is on a CV in terms of work is likely to influence the likelihood of being considered for future work more than training - however there are plenty of examples of people who have had one big, high profile job and then nothing more for ages - I think that's the risk that needs to be weighed up.

Congratulations to him! Keep us posted with what he decides

[JTBmum]

Hi,

Someone from dds first year at Mountview got offered part in Spring Awakening and took it (dd got as far as workshop stage just before starting, but deferred for a year). He has worked ever since and is now in LA working on his second or third film. Virtually everyone who got into that show has worked ever since. One girl had no training and has also worked constantly. Sometimes I think being in a show can prove invaluable experience. I don't imagine the institution will be very pleased, as you are not meant to audition whilst at college. It does seem as if you get into a major show, you are much more likely to get into another, although I am not an expert. I would also think that in the circumstances it would be good to talk to the Principle.

Good luck!

[Chaffeurmum]

Thanks so much for all the positive advice!!! I knew I could count on you all as great supports.

He hasn't yet been offered the role but it is very possible, and after all these years of NO s. But that's this business, isn't it?? We haven't approached the school and will wait until we know for sure. I hope they will be understanding about it as he definitely did not seek this one out. (unlike the 10 years worth of other roles he has been chasing since he was 9!)

Well, there you go. Again, what would I do without this forum, Goodness knows.

I will keep you posted either way.

[emi's mum]

Thanks so much for all the positive advice!!! I knew I could count on you all as great supports.

He hasn't yet been offered the role but it is very possible, and after all these years of NO s. But that's this business, isn't it?? We haven't approached the school and will wait until we know for sure. I hope they will be understanding about it as he definitely did not seek this one out. (unlike the 10 years worth of other roles he has been chasing since he was 9!)

Well, there you go. Again, what would I do without this forum, Goodness knows.

I will keep you posted either way.

You're absolutely right this is such a great community on here. Please would you let us know the outcome. Good luck whichever way it goes.

[Flosmom]

Good luck - there are lots of fingers crossed for your DS.

Someone very wise once said that we don't regret what we do as much as we regret what we don't do, so once he has decided what he wants (and gut instinct may be all he has to go on) just go for it - but try not to burn any bridges on the way.

This forum may be good, but don't forget that you are a good mum too. Otherwise you wouldn't be asking questions and seeking advice here.

Deb x

[sophiesocks]

good luck

[Genevieve]

I agree with a lot of posts about talking to the Principal of the college, once you know if your ds has the role, it's a fantastic opportunity , and they sought him out too, is a real testiment to how much they trust in his ability at the present time. Training is essential, but having said that, as Flosmum said, it's not what we do, but what we didn't do in life, and don't miss opportunities that come your way - If your ds could do both, take the West End role, and have the college agree to defer his place wouldn't that solve everything. That would leave some flexibility for any future decisions too - hope it all goes his way. Good luck