Auditioning for 2017

[Robin64]

Hi everyone.
I'm new to this site, but have been scouring the pages for advice as my ds is currently going through the auditioning process. I have gleaned so much valuable information from you all, I just wish I had discovered it sooner!

DS is applying for MT at GSA (1st round audition last week, waiting to hear about recall) and has Arts ed and Mountview in April. DS is a strong singer, but struggles with dance (suspect mild dyspraxia) as well as struggling academically - so we both fully understand that he has slim chances of certainly getting into GSA. I wanted to get a feeler to what attitude is towards dancing in auditions? Has anyone's DC progressed with minimal dance experience?

Hello and welcome. There definitely seem to be courses that are less dance focused but i think it is good to show a willingness to have a go. Don't shoot me anyone but i do think it is a bit easier for boys not to be good at dance at these auditions. But i do get why that might be. What about somewhere like Central Acting MT? i think GSA prioritises singing and acting from the recall experience but academic requirements are important there. Just join in and show enthusiasm with the dance bit and if nothing happens this year book some dance lessons - basic ballet and maybe even tap. Non-dancing boys at dd's MT btec have been enjoying starting ballet and tap there and doing well at it. Fitness or gymnastics might help too. Good luck with the auditions.

[jaybeeyellow]

Living.
Have PM'd you.

[martint]

Hi everyone.
I'm new to this site, but have been scouring the pages for advice as my ds is currently going through the auditioning process. I have gleaned so much valuable information from you all, I just wish I had discovered it sooner!

DS is applying for MT at GSA (1st round audition last week, waiting to hear about recall) and has Arts ed and Mountview in April. DS is a strong singer, but struggles with dance (suspect mild dyspraxia) as well as struggling academically - so we both fully understand that he has slim chances of certainly getting into GSA. I wanted to get a feeler to what attitude is towards dancing in auditions? Has anyone's DC progressed with minimal dance experience?

Would he consider doing a Foundation Course somewhere? This could be a great stepping stone for him.

[chivers61]

Regarding the level of dance required to succeed at audition it is very variable. Some colleges have heavy dance focus and some do not. They often make it clear in the audition requirements. Often they are looking for candidates who are trainable as much as already trained. So having a go and showing that in auditions is just as important. Technically perfect dancers are not always what they are looking for. Technically perfect is not the same as being able to perform.

[Live_thedream]

Thanks everyone.
Central wasn't on the list to apply but if no luck this year will definitely be on for next year asas it's now too late?
DS has said if he has no luck this year he will take on extra dance lessons. He is already doing a Btec in MT, but they haven't taught much dance content unfortunately. I would say he has improved, but still struggles.

I will pass on the advice to just give it a go!

[Live_thedream]

Would he consider doing a Foundation Course somewhere? This could be a great stepping stone for him.

I asked him if he got offered it would he consider it, but unsure whether it will be much better than him taking local dance classes? Has anyone's DC done the foundation?

[Munchpot]

Would he consider doing a Foundation Course somewhere? This could be a great stepping stone for him.

I asked him if he got offered it would he consider it, but unsure whether it will be much better than him taking local dance classes? Has anyone's DC done the foundation?

Hi
It looks like my DD will be doing a foundation year.
From everything we've researched this would be far more beneficial than local dance classes

They train and prepare for full time training

From messages I've had from others they get worked very hard. And, as I've posted before, some students at Bird in their 3rd year rave about foundation students and the extra training they've had

[Live_thedream]

Thanks Munchpot.

DS didn't get the GSA recall not sure whether it was too late, the grades or that when they asked him about his dance experience he said minimal and keen to learn. Or maybe he's not for them. Hey ho. It's all new to us and a lesson to be learned.

[Munchpot]

Thanks Munchpot.

DS didn't get the GSA recall not sure whether it was too late, the grades or that when they asked him about his dance experience he said minimal and keen to learn. Or maybe he's not for them. Hey ho. It's all new to us and a lesson to be learned.

Sorry to hear that your DS didn't get a recall. It's tough for our kids, but tough on us parents as well, not knowing what to say or how to try to help

We've tried to take the approach for any 'No's' doesn't mean that they are not good enough but that they weren't right for that college on that day. It's hard that their futures can de decided by one audition, but then again that's how their opportunity to work will be when the go into the big bad world.

[Live_thedream]

Sorry to hear that your DS didn't get a recall. It's tough for our kids, but tough on us parents as well, not knowing what to say or how to try to help

We've tried to take the approach for any 'No's' doesn't mean that they are not good enough but that they weren't right for that college on that day. It's hard that their futures can de decided by one audition, but then again that's how their opportunity to work will be when the go into the big bad world.

Thank you. I think I'm more bothered than he is. You are right though, we hear about how tough it is, but only in reality do you get to know.

[Live_thedream]

Well done @Munchpot on your DD getting foundation at Bird

[lawn]

Hi everyone.
I'm new to this site, but have been scouring the pages for advice as my ds is currently going through the auditioning process. I have gleaned so much valuable information from you all, I just wish I had discovered it sooner!

DS is applying for MT at GSA (1st round audition last week, waiting to hear about recall) and has Arts ed and Mountview in April. DS is a strong singer, but struggles with dance (suspect mild dyspraxia) as well as struggling academically - so we both fully understand that he has slim chances of certainly getting into GSA. I wanted to get a feeler to what attitude is towards dancing in auditions? Has anyone's DC progressed with minimal dance experience?

Hi, live the dream. I lurked here for a long time before I posted. My DD isn't quite 14 with her heart set on working in performing arts and it's a world I find quite alien to me, so I found this website and started reading and learning and sometimes asking.

From what I have gathered some colleges are very strong on wanting dancing skills (I *think* this includes Arts Ed and Mountview) GSA are very singing orientated and Central strong on acting. How is your DS' acting skills?

If he's got a year at home now, if you can't afford a foundation year if he's offered one, can he take more private lessons at home perhaps in conjunction with perhaps working a job for a year and saving?

[Live_thedream]

Hi, live the dream. I lurked here for a long time before I posted. My DD isn't quite 14 with her heart set on working in performing arts and it's a world I find quite alien to me, so I found this website and started reading and learning and sometimes asking.

From what I have gathered some colleges are very strong on wanting dancing skills (I *think* this includes Arts Ed and Mountview) GSA are very singing orientated and Central strong on acting. How is your DS' acting skills?

If he's got a year at home now, if you can't afford a foundation year if he's offered one, can he take more private lessons at home perhaps in conjunction with perhaps working a job for a year and saving?[/quote]

Hi Lawn - that's the plan if he isn't successful, save and train. His acting is good, strength is definitely singing - so all hopes were hinging on a recall and when he didn't get it, you do start to question, maybe we got it wrong.

I thought Arts-Ed/Mountview were less demanding on dance skills as compared to Bird and Laine etc so thought to give it a shot. ]

[lyndahill]

Thanks everyone.
Central wasn't on the list to apply but if no luck this year will definitely be on for next year asas it's now too late?
DS has said if he has no luck this year he will take on extra dance lessons. He is already doing a Btec in MT, but they haven't taught much dance content unfortunately. I would say he has improved, but still struggles.

I will pass on the advice to just give it a go!

Tell him not to give up, something will come. I know students who have tried 2-3 years in a row and finally got places at GSA/RADA and many other colleges and I thought those students were amazing actors and all round performers from seeing them at my DD's stage school and always winning at festivals. They didn't give up as they knew what they want to do and where they want to train. Kids need a thick skin in this industry, as do the parents, Go along to as many open days as you can as your son may find a college that he never considered before and may eventually see that GSA maybe isn't the right place for him. Good luck.

[als17]

After studying MT at college my DD took the decision that Acting was for her. Whilst studying the Btec MT at college she did some Shakespeare with local drama societies which helped her immensely. Last year she auditioned for Acting BA at a number of places but had no offers. She was, however, offered a Foundation at East 15. She decided to accept this and hasn't looked back. She has very long days, the training is intense and she loves every minute of it. Her confidence has soared and it has also helped living away from home in a shared house. She now feels much more prepared for a BA.

She is now auditioning for a BA and this is her journey so far.
RADA - No,
LAMDA - 2nd 1st Audition which is next month,
Guildhall - No, but she was asked to stay behind for a chat. They told her that her audition was brilliant but she just isn't what they are looking for this year .
Central - audition next month
East 15 - she has been offered the BA

We are over the moon that she has a BA offer. East 15 is a wonderful place and she loves it there. They have really helped her blossom.

I am aware that straight Acting is different to MT as they tend to like the students to have more life experience, however the Foundation has been a complete success for my DD and I would recommend it to anyone thinking about it. We only have experience of East 15 so I would say it is worth getting some more feedback for where you are thinking of going.