Auditioning for 2021 entry

[anastasia79]

If there are any parents with DCs at Urdang, Bird, Laines and Performers, would you be able to share some feedback from your perspective with me on a private message if you’d prefer not to share it here. Thank you.

[islandofsodor]

My husband personally knows some of the singing faculty at Laines. They are amazing and produce excellent singers.

The young people we know who have thrived there are confident, outgoing and resilient. My daughter has an autistic spectrum disorder and she finds social interaction difficult. She's had some confidence issues in the past. She didn't feel Laine would be right for her.

[lawn]

Something that hasn't come up when deciding is pastoral care. Maybe see what each college has to say about this on their website or ask the students on the social media sites about this at the colleges they attend.

I know there's a sticky at the top of this board about time4change, that drama schools signed up to but I'm not familiar with anything that has happened since.

[dancelifemum]

evie03, I’m really happy you asked for help re the schools as the various replies is really helping to put things into perspective for my daughter. It’s good to hear that Urdang is more commercial based and likes individuality as that’s what she wants. Laines also would make her into a really good dancer but I’m not sure her chilled personality would thrive there.

I think Betty is very stuck in her ways from what I gather, but then 'if it ain't broke why fix it' I guess....but yes it does seem more traditional old school training from our friends perspectives there. I wonder if it will change when she is no longer in charge? She is famous for saying she will never attend Move it etc..... I think there is a school for everyone and sometimes by offers it may not be what you thought, but go where you felt wanted and can spend the next 3 years. Try to take what you can from the 3 years wherever that may be.....as it's the easy part! The hard part comes sustaining a career....on that cheery note.... lol

[MTlover123]

My DD is just finishing her second year at Laine and she is absolutely thriving. She was definitely strongest at acting when she joined but I can quite safely her singing now blows my away. They are very keen on the integration between acting and song and both departments work together. As for dance my daughter had chopped and changed dance schools through moving so was no Miss Dance when starting but again her technique and confidence has improved massively. She has friends who are very commercial and are thriving not just at that genre but also all the others too. I can quite safely say that when watching the 3rd year showcases they were not all ‘a type’ and if I’m honest I was pleasantly surprised. My DD would say there is a place for everyone there and it’s a super supportive group. I was impressed during lockdown with the continued online training and the support they were given by group tutors was excellent. Please do DM me if you’d like to hear anything else or my dd would be happy to chat.

[Dancindan]

My DD is just finishing her second year at Laine and she is absolutely thriving. She was definitely strongest at acting when she joined but I can quite safely her singing now blows my away. They are very keen on the integration between acting and song and both departments work together. As for dance my daughter had chopped and changed dance schools through moving so was no Miss Dance when starting but again her technique and confidence has improved massively. She has friends who are very commercial and are thriving not just at that genre but also all the others too. I can quite safely say that when watching the 3rd year showcases they were not all ‘a type’ and if I’m honest I was pleasantly surprised. My DD would say there is a place for everyone there and it’s a super supportive group. I was impressed during lockdown with the continued online training and the support they were given by group tutors was excellent. Please do DM me if you’d like to hear anything else or my dd would be happy to chat.

That’s so great to hear! As I say DDs real passion is singi by and she was worried she because there was no 1-1 singing she might stay stagnant and leave as an average dancer AND an average singer, she wants to get her dancing up even though she has so little experience she loves watching people dance and is intrigued by that kind of talent. She’s just hoping it’s a place where she can become the best she can be, all the wants is to get better! It’s great to hear that your DD loves it!

[Icklemom3]

Hi - this is my first post but I have been following the thread with great interest! After receiving her degree offer from Bird my DD was ‘absolutely certain’ that’s where she was going. She has since received an offer from Laine and it’s thrown a huge, unexpected spanner in the works. We’ve tried doing the pros and cons lists - they end up equal...So I’m now following this Laine discussion hoping to find something to sway us! One thing we did wonder was how the accommodation works at Laine. Is it just shared houses or is there official ‘Student Accommodation’? And once you’ve decided you’re going there is the accommodation easy to sort out? We have some info on Bird and what might be available once they send out accommodation packs in July but we still feel a little in the dark when it comes to what happens at Laine. Any info from any of you who might know would be gratefully received!

[evie03]

Hi - this is my first post but I have been following the thread with great interest! After receiving her degree offer from Bird my DD was ‘absolutely certain’ that’s where she was going. She has since received an offer from Laine and it’s thrown a huge, unexpected spanner in the works. We’ve tried doing the pros and cons lists - they end up equal...So I’m now following this Laine discussion hoping to find something to sway us! One thing we did wonder was how the accommodation works at Laine. Is it just shared houses or is there official ‘Student Accommodation’? And once you’ve decided you’re going there is the accommodation easy to sort out? We have some info on Bird and what might be available once they send out accommodation packs in July but we still feel a little in the dark when it comes to what happens at Laine. Any info from any of you who might know would be gratefully received!

There's no 'official' accomodation but I know they send out a list and set up a FB group for ppl to talk about it. There are some shared flats and houses but not sure what else

[Nic16977]

If there are any parents with DCs at Urdang, Bird, Laines and Performers, would you be able to share some feedback from your perspective with me on a private message if you’d prefer not to share it here. Thank you.

I’ve messaged you, my daughter is at Bird

[anastasia79]

If there are any parents with DCs at Urdang, Bird, Laines and Performers, would you be able to share some feedback from your perspective with me on a private message if you’d prefer not to share it here. Thank you.

I’ve messaged you, my daughter is at Bird

Great, I’ve just replied

[dancelifemum]

Hi - this is my first post but I have been following the thread with great interest! After receiving her degree offer from Bird my DD was ‘absolutely certain’ that’s where she was going. She has since received an offer from Laine and it’s thrown a huge, unexpected spanner in the works. We’ve tried doing the pros and cons lists - they end up equal...So I’m now following this Laine discussion hoping to find something to sway us! One thing we did wonder was how the accommodation works at Laine. Is it just shared houses or is there official ‘Student Accommodation’? And once you’ve decided you’re going there is the accommodation easy to sort out? We have some info on Bird and what might be available once they send out accommodation packs in July but we still feel a little in the dark when it comes to what happens at Laine. Any info from any of you who might know would be gratefully received!

Also can anyone shed any light on the fact that if some are starting with scholarships and dada's (although I know that is means tested so not necessarily all talent based) is there a 'hierarchy' set before starting? As with a degree you don't have this situation where some are viewed as 'more talented' before starting? I am just juggling pros and cons too with DD and trying to work out our best scenario for her. No prejudice we are just genuinely interested. We have known girls get scholarships there and do very well, maybe by the fact they are very talented and therefore more supported, but what about the 'regular' paying student scenario? I am fully aware there are different levels of talent in genres everywhere but with a diploma it seems more obvious from day one that some are maybe on a different pathway? Happy to be corrected. I am only going by students we know (past and present).
We did a panto once and the choreo taught at Laine....she said a CD would expect a Laine dancer to turn up 'leggy' if it was on CV ....Urdang 'sassy and poss a little arrogant' etc etc. so it definitely interests me if the industry views a grad from a certain college a certain way.. None are bad it is just curiosity. The same as some colleges have offered some very talented girls we know places with scholarships etc yet they have been declined by others ...it does seem very random and does not always makes sense. In fact this whole process has been eye opening to say the least.
So we can't control much but as much info before sending them off is just welcome, but I guess anyone will only say good things about their college as we ask many we know and all seem to be happy (with a few exceptions).....

[josegirl]

DS has just heard from Performers after his 6th March audition and they offered him a place! Having emailed Italia Conti to reject their offer they have now emailed back to tell him they really want him and that they only take 40 students hoping he'll change his mind!!!

I hope your DD gets on well with her recall and that others have had good news from Performers today. I guess DS must be quite talented but it's always tricky to actually know, isn't it? I had to ask his dance teacher if he was actually any good (rose tinted glasses and all that).

Congratulations to your DS for his offers he is clearly very talented . Regarding Conti recall what did he say the interview was like ? Do they ask standard type questions such as why you want to do their course , tell me something about yourself etc ? Thanks in advance

[Jackie1917]

Hi, does anyone know the accommodation costs at Wilkes please, just roundabout to give us an idea what to expect

[MygirlsloveMT]

Hi, does anyone know the accommodation costs at Wilkes please, just roundabout to give us an idea what to expect

For the next year it is going up to £500 per month, you don’t have to pay a deposit (unless that’s changed) but you pay a month in advance so first payment has to be with them by 1st August. It’s so much better than other colleges though as accommodation is found for you, unlike the scramble (and stress) we had at Performers when my dd did pre-voc there!

[dancelifemum]

Hi, does anyone know the accommodation costs at Wilkes please, just roundabout to give us an idea what to expect

For the next year it is going up to £500 per month, you don’t have to pay a deposit (unless that’s changed) but you pay a month in advance so first payment has to be with them by 1st August. It’s so much better than other colleges though as accommodation is found for you, unlike the scramble (and stress) we had at Performers when my dd did pre-voc there!

That does seem easier and less stressful..... we have had an email from Performers saying they'll add you to a fb group once you confirm your place via UCAS.

Has anyone had the dada forms back from Laine with any further info?