Applying for 2013

[pg]

My DS sang the Ballad of Booth from Sondheim's "Assassins".

I sang "I Remember Snow" from Evening Primrose (also Sondheim, but not as difficult!)

I think it's a good idea to choose something that allows you to show something different from your speeches. If your speeches are reflective, sing something upbeat/witty perhaps. Cole Porter? Noel Coward? If your speeches are full of fire and gusto, choose something more reflective to sing.

However wedded he is to Gethsemane or Les Mis, i would really encourage him to try something else as well as Welshmum says. There is a very natural and understandable tendency to stick with what you know you are good at and something that has brought you good feedback from audiences in the past - however, bold choices for drama school auditions can pay dividends. He definitely does need to feel a connection with it, but there are hundreds - perhaps thousands - of great songs to choose from. I'm sure he will find others he likes too.

Edit: I've just seen that his audition is on Thursday. Probably not the right time to choose anything entirely new!

[pg]

Well dd has just done her recall at GSA she said it went amazing but although she said everyone thought she would get an interview she didn't so that's it for this year. Gutted for her. It has been an experience though, and at least she knows what to expect next year. Will keep checking the site to see how everyone's getting on. Good luck to all

I'm so sorry dorothy. It is such a horrible time for lots of applicants. A very difficult time for those supporting them too . It will be tough, picking herself up again but I'm sure she will do so and as you say, she will have gained valuable experience for next year. Warm wishes to you both.

[nigelben]

Well dd has just done her recall at GSA she said it went amazing but although she said everyone thought she would get an interview she didn't so that's it for this year. Gutted for her. It has been an experience though, and at least she knows what to expect next year. Will keep checking the site to see how everyone's getting on. Good luck to all

So sorry to hear that Dorothy, at least now she can prepare for a gap year and like you say, an invaluable experience, hate watching them get rejected though, hopefully, it makes them stronger in the long run. Sure she will come back next year even better prepared and with that bit of extra life experience.

Thanks Welshmum and PG for your helpful comments.

[dorothy]

Thanks everyone for your best wishes for dd. I hope next year is not as traumatic for me least. Such a long journey back for her on her own. Just want to give her a hug and she won't be back until about midnight.

[Tess]

My thoughts are with you and your DD dorothy, It's so hard when you are not with them. I'm sure she'll be fine and you'll pick yourselves up and look for what's next. I think it's particularly hard when they know how close they are and all their friends are going off, accepting offers etc, Ours are just on a different path, and it takes a little longer to get there.

I know someone said to DS after a particularly hard one, its not that he's not good enough full stop, it's just right now, nothing to say that next year they won't be getting offers all round if they stay focussed. Hope she gets back safely then you can give her big hug x

[showtunes]

Thanks everyone for your best wishes for dd. I hope next year is not as traumatic for me least. Such a long journey back for her on her own. Just want to give her a hug and she won't be back until about midnight.

That's a shame for her but she had done so well nether the less to get a recall. So well done to her. hugs to you Dorothy xx

[showtunes]

Well DS had his Bristol Old Vic audition yesterday, he really liked it there and was pleased with how it went. It would be great for him to get in, not only from the excellent reputation but also financially as we live in Bristol!! Again, we're realistic, as I think BOV is notorious for taking older students. Shouldn't be such a long wait from BOV as I think they are pretty quick at getting back to you.
DS has his MT audition for GSA in Cardiff on Thursday, he has mainly gone for straight acting courses as has only recently really found his singing voice. He's in a bit of a dilemma as to which song to sing, he has been having singing lessons at his actors workshop and the singing teacher has said along with many blogs he has read that it is better not to do one of the popular songs. He feels he doesn't connect as well with the couple of songs he has been recommended to do as he does with songs such as "Gethsemane" or Les Mis songs-he knows of a girl who got a recall at GSA singing "On My Own" which I guess must be one of the most popular songs for a girl. I know that most have DDs on here but just wondered if anyone whose DC have gone for an MT audition may have any advice as to what boys have sung there.

Thanks Genevieve for your kind words

Good luck to your Ds with Bov,hope he hears this week. And also hope GSA goes well, I'm sure you know already but the audition is very quick. Thought that may help booking a train time or something.

[dorothy]

Thanks again everyone. Its good to talk to others going or who have gone through it. She says she had a great day and about 5 or 6 got an interview mainly girls out of 37 at the recall. A second year told her there were loads on the reserve list. She says that she will now decide what her next step is and says she will hopefully get in somewhere next year. She also wants me to get her a pizza when she is nearing home as she is starving.

[Tess]

Nothing like a bit of comfort junk food! I always think it's a good sign when they want to eat, means they are ok!
xx

[Welsh Mum]

Sorry to hear about your DD Dorothy. I know I felt terrible the first year my DD auditioned - if it's any consolation my DD felt she was MUCH better at auditioning the second time around, so you are right the experiences will be very valuable in the future. She clearly has talent due to her recall, next year she will be better prepared and know what it it like. Make sure you keep coming on here to let us know her progress next year.

[Welsh Mum]

Just read an interview with Maxine Peake, a favourite actor of mine. It tok her 3 years to get into drama school

[sapphire]

Sorry to hear about your DD Dorothy :/ The great majority of students on DD's course at LIPA had been trying for more than one year to get into drama school. It's very rare to get in straight from school and my DD who did is not sure it's an advantage as she is considerably younger than most of her class mates and her 'young' age is often referred to by tutors! Please do keep us posted re her gap year plans and hoping for a successful outcome next time round for her

[pg]

I agree Sapphire. Although DS got in at 18, he did say he thought he would have benefited from a year out of education rather than going straight from school. There was only one student younger than him in his year - most were at least a couple of years older.

I sympathise with those students who are disappointed this year and haven't got places. I empathise completely with the parents! My dd didn't get in anywhere in her first year of applying either. It is so tough when you see their disappointment and you know how hard they have worked and how much they want it. There were plenty of sleepless nights and a few tears - and that was just me...

Having said that, dd has now changed direction - and that has been the right decision for her. I think it was right for her to try though - I think there would always be the "what if" question hanging about otherwise.

It took me until age 47 to go to drama school - lots of time yet for those youngsters!

Onwards and upwards!

[dorothy]

Thanks everyone. Lovely comments and its a new day and your comments have cheered me up. Well done pg going for your dream at 47. I will keep everyone updated on what happens next as I hope you all will regarding your kids as well

[AlisonB]

Hope she enjoyed her pizza Dorothy! And well done to her for getting to the recall stage - that's an achievement in itself!