New dilemma!
My Ds applied to PPA for the one yr foundation with a view to reapplying to degree courses next yr. They have offered him the 3 yr diploma in MT!!! He's very excited and happy but just wondering if any of you experienced people have opinions. Should he accept their 3 yr offer or hold out for Central, GSA or Arts Ed next yr. He was very close to getting in this yr. PPA said they can't understand why he has not been snapped up, lovely for him to have bit of positive praise for change!
Does it really make that much different have one of the top 4 on your CV??? or should he just go for it?
Anyone have any experience of PPA? It was recommended to him by his singing teacher and I know a lot of the staff there have very good credentials.
Performance Preparation Academy
Moderator: busybusybusy
Re: Performance Preparation Academy
Morning Tess - well done to your ds we just heard yesterday that a friends ds has been accepted at PPA also on 3 yr dip. Looking forward to seeing what opinions people have as PPA is very local to us and my dd will be auditioning for 2014 entry to colleges. It is still a very new college and therefore not heard many discussions on it - do you know if they have any funding to award? Good luck whatever your ds decision is - I'm sure it will be the right one for him - I will follow this thread with interest 
Re: Performance Preparation Academy
Every course has to start somewhere and PPA may grow in reputation and become one of the big contenders BUT my recommendation would be to hold out for an accredited course. Not only is there the likelihood of at least some funding if you get on to an accredited course (there is no funding available for PPA) - there is also the important fact that the accredited courses have been independently judged to provide the best preparation for the industry. It is quite possible that PPA also provides excellent training for the industry, but attending there would mean that you would taking the risk that it is not regarded in the same light as the accredited courses by employers in the industry and final showcases may not be be as well attended. I think there are a lot of downsides to choosing an unaccredited course - especially when they are fully fee-paying.
It's great to get positive feedback (i.e. "can't understand why he has not been snapped up") but I wouldn't allow that to sway your decision too much. No doubt he IS really good and they will be keen to have him - but if that is true, they will probably still be keen to have him next year. I wouldn't rush into it without some careful thought (though, clearly you are not - so that's superfluous advice!).
Judging by the promotional video it does seem to have been set up as "preparation for drama school".
It's great to get positive feedback (i.e. "can't understand why he has not been snapped up") but I wouldn't allow that to sway your decision too much. No doubt he IS really good and they will be keen to have him - but if that is true, they will probably still be keen to have him next year. I wouldn't rush into it without some careful thought (though, clearly you are not - so that's superfluous advice!).
Judging by the promotional video it does seem to have been set up as "preparation for drama school".
Re: Performance Preparation Academy
Thank for your thoughts pg. I've always gone with accredited course route, and in fact followed your advice on here ruled out anything that wasn't very early on! However, I do think they seem to be doing all the right things and the course content is great (e.g.. they can also come out with a teaching qualification for performing arts which will be very useful for the inevitable professionally resting phases!) The staff clearly have the credentials and contacts but it feels a risk. do we stick with the 1 yr course then, and review our options next year? Altho they said they feel is he above Foundation course level ... going round in circles as you can see!
Maybe him being happy with the place is more important, and he'll get to where he will want to go regardless? He was also offered Foundation course at Arts ed by the way but they haven't run one until this year!
Maybe him being happy with the place is more important, and he'll get to where he will want to go regardless? He was also offered Foundation course at Arts ed by the way but they haven't run one until this year!
Re: Performance Preparation Academy
The teaching qualification for the performing arts is interesting. I can see that this would be useful - and might mean that a Stagecoach franchisee would be more inclined to take you on for example - but you don't need the qualification to be permitted to teach privately, and I don't think this qualification would mean you could teach in schools. I'm not knocking it (though it might sound like it 
) the more strings to one's bow one has an actor the better. I expect it would be useful when marketing yourself as a private tutor and might give you an edge, so it's certainly a consideration and a potentially helpful extra qualification.
Never underestimate the number of out of work performers trying to earn money as private tutors though.
You and he are quite right to consider where he will be happy - and he may indeed get where he wants to go wherever he trains - but I do think where you train has an influence on how you are regarded by employers and agents at the start of your career - because that is what they have to go on. Getting industry professionals to take notice of you is very, very hard - and I suspect it may be harder when the course is new and hasn't had time to establish a reputation (even if it deserves an excellent one, which perhaps it does, but reputations have to be earned and that takes time). I wonder how good their industry connections are? Who are the visiting industry experts and CDs? I wonder who comes to the showcases? Who is currently representing their alumni? It might be worth asking those questions. Also (another VERY important consideration) would he get a Spotlight entry from this course? This school is not currently on Spotlight's list, so I suspect not. That in itself might be a good enough reason to hold out for another school. Without Spotlight entry it will be very hard to get an agent (most decent agents are not likely to be willing to take on adults who are not yet eligible for Spotlight entry - they may make exceptions for extraordinary talent of course, but there is a lot of extraordinary talent out there). He might find that he could only gain access to the big open auditions - unless he already has an impressive CV.
http://www.spotlight.com/artists/appear/graduates.html
Once you have built up a professional CV with a few paying jobs on it, then where you have trained is relegated and is no longer as important. Once you have a CV with some paid jobs on it, you will also be able to join Spotlight.
The cynic in me thinks that many foundation courses run alongside accredited courses are just a money-making venture for the schools. They might be really great experience and fun - and absolutely great to do if the money is available; but if money is tight, I'd say there's a lot else to be done that will prepare drama school applicants that won't cost as much.
) the more strings to one's bow one has an actor the better. I expect it would be useful when marketing yourself as a private tutor and might give you an edge, so it's certainly a consideration and a potentially helpful extra qualification.Never underestimate the number of out of work performers trying to earn money as private tutors though.
You and he are quite right to consider where he will be happy - and he may indeed get where he wants to go wherever he trains - but I do think where you train has an influence on how you are regarded by employers and agents at the start of your career - because that is what they have to go on. Getting industry professionals to take notice of you is very, very hard - and I suspect it may be harder when the course is new and hasn't had time to establish a reputation (even if it deserves an excellent one, which perhaps it does, but reputations have to be earned and that takes time). I wonder how good their industry connections are? Who are the visiting industry experts and CDs? I wonder who comes to the showcases? Who is currently representing their alumni? It might be worth asking those questions. Also (another VERY important consideration) would he get a Spotlight entry from this course? This school is not currently on Spotlight's list, so I suspect not. That in itself might be a good enough reason to hold out for another school. Without Spotlight entry it will be very hard to get an agent (most decent agents are not likely to be willing to take on adults who are not yet eligible for Spotlight entry - they may make exceptions for extraordinary talent of course, but there is a lot of extraordinary talent out there). He might find that he could only gain access to the big open auditions - unless he already has an impressive CV.
http://www.spotlight.com/artists/appear/graduates.html
Once you have built up a professional CV with a few paying jobs on it, then where you have trained is relegated and is no longer as important. Once you have a CV with some paid jobs on it, you will also be able to join Spotlight.
The cynic in me thinks that many foundation courses run alongside accredited courses are just a money-making venture for the schools. They might be really great experience and fun - and absolutely great to do if the money is available; but if money is tight, I'd say there's a lot else to be done that will prepare drama school applicants that won't cost as much.
Re: Performance Preparation Academy
mmm looks like I will have to go and ask some more questions! 
Re: Performance Preparation Academy
I agree with what pg has said. Also if he is "above foundation level" then I would question him doing a Foundation year at all. He could get lots of other relevant experince without the expense - if he was very close this year, then he probably doesnt need a Foundation course. In fact earning money to help out studying later in London may be a more useful route to go down, whilst also getting experience in theatre groups etc.
As for teaching qualification, this would not be able to be used in state schools which need QTS. However, there are other routes to private teaching - my DD has a Diploma in singing which is what you need to teach singing. Many excellent teachers of acting in stage schools etc dont have teaching qualification but lots of experience.
As for teaching qualification, this would not be able to be used in state schools which need QTS. However, there are other routes to private teaching - my DD has a Diploma in singing which is what you need to teach singing. Many excellent teachers of acting in stage schools etc dont have teaching qualification but lots of experience.
The highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive.
Re: Performance Preparation Academy
Only a thought - can you find out "how close" he was to achieving a place at Arts Ed etc? Might help in making a more informed decision.
Only ask because when we went to Laine this year they told us you now have the right to ask where you are on the list ....if you want to know. Apparently all colleges offering DADAs are subject to the same new guidance. We did take up the offer for one college - but only where DS was offered a place and trying to assess funding options.
Not sure if this also works with degree courses - Bird College certainly very helpful - so I'm sure it's worth asking.
Sorry I can't help about PPA but good luck with the decision making! My DS has learnt this year to go with instinct - there are a lot of conflicting views to work through.
Only ask because when we went to Laine this year they told us you now have the right to ask where you are on the list ....if you want to know. Apparently all colleges offering DADAs are subject to the same new guidance. We did take up the offer for one college - but only where DS was offered a place and trying to assess funding options.
Not sure if this also works with degree courses - Bird College certainly very helpful - so I'm sure it's worth asking.
Sorry I can't help about PPA but good luck with the decision making! My DS has learnt this year to go with instinct - there are a lot of conflicting views to work through.
Re: Performance Preparation Academy
i understand that the 3 year course is run by Gerry tebbut who was one of the main people responsible for musical theatre at GSA up until they amalgamated with the University of Surrey - shortly after that time PPA who were using the same premises were told they could no longer use the premises (up until that time PPA were running as a pre preparation course with very good outcomes for students going to further accredited courses) . My dd did the summer school at GSA run by GT and loved it - however just after she was offered the 3 year course at GSA we found out that the two main players for MT had resigned suddenly it all seemed very political to us and I think that was one of the reasons why our dd choose a different course
I would look at the costs involved how much are the fees per year etc up - then judge the costs from there if he was going to pay out for a foundation year anyway I suppose there is nothing to stop him doing the 3 year and if not happy during the first year carry on auditioning elsewhere
I would look at the costs involved how much are the fees per year etc up - then judge the costs from there if he was going to pay out for a foundation year anyway I suppose there is nothing to stop him doing the 3 year and if not happy during the first year carry on auditioning elsewhere
If you dont buy a ticket how can you ever expect to win !!
Re: Performance Preparation Academy
HI songbird, yes it was GT that was on the audition panel, Ds said he was lovely.
Much to Ds's horror I am going to ask all the questions!
Apparently they run the mentor scheme to counteract that not being as well known in the industry. It does sound well thought through, (even I've heard of the mentors!) they meet with their students 3 times per year and then in their final year introduce them to agents/their contacts. It will be interesting to see where there first lot of 3yr students go this summer when they finish...
Much to Ds's horror I am going to ask all the questions!
Apparently they run the mentor scheme to counteract that not being as well known in the industry. It does sound well thought through, (even I've heard of the mentors!) they meet with their students 3 times per year and then in their final year introduce them to agents/their contacts. It will be interesting to see where there first lot of 3yr students go this summer when they finish...