Gap year before drama school?

[sapphire]

Hi

I am hoping some of the more experienced NAPM-ers can help on this one! DD is just entering Year 13 at school. She has always enjoyed her drama but only really began considering it as a possible career during Year 11. She is an active member of the local am dram group and has been for many years, but other than Performing Arts/Theatre Studies at school has never had any formal drama training (no LAMDA exams etc). Until this summer she was sure she wanted to study Drama at uni but after attending many open days is now convinced that she wants to do more vocational training i.e. drama school. She has been doing lots of research into different schools / audition requirements etc and is quite frankly feeling extremely stressed at the amount of preparation needed to give yourself the best chance especially as the timing of auditions are likely to coincide with the peak A level workload in terms of practical theatre studies/dance exams and Eng Lit /History coursework

After a rather emotional weekend and much discussion, it seems that the most logical approach would be to focus mainly on school work this year to make sure DD gets the very best A level results she can and to plan a gap year where she can really focus on drama school entry once she has her A levels out of the way. Obviously, this would also enable her to work and get some money behind her as well.

Does anyone think that this is likely to be detrimental to her chances of getting into drama school? My concern is that if she tries to do both this year, she will end up spreading herself too thinly and end up doing neither very well

All thoughts appreciated!

[Caroline A-C]

My ds went through the audition process last year with a view to getting an insight as to what exactly was required during the auditions so that he could reaudition next year. In the end, he got in (which is fantastic although we hadn't really planned for this!!!). Had he not got in this time round, he felt that he had gained invaluable experience and felt more confident about applying the following year. Hope this helps a bit.

[sapphire]

Thanks! So you think it might be worth applying just to see what's what? I know DD is just worried about not really feeling ready with monologues etc and of course there is then the expense of auditions fees/train fees etc etc etc. She has been working on picking out suitable ones but it is not as if she has a catalogue of ones she has prepared for LAMDA exams or anything ....

At least we don't have to decide immediately ... deadlines for application are still some time off. I suppose it might make sense for her to keep doing what she can, when she can and to take a view in a couple of months.

Where was your DS accepted?

[Caroline A-C]

At the end of the day, it's got to be what they're happy with. My ds felt he could be better prepared having auditioned previously and knowing what to expect. His plan was to get a job and then get involved with am dram etc whilst using the year to sort out his audition pieces. I can't see how taking a gap year could affect the chances of getting in. After all, many people my ds met at the auditions had previously auditioned. By the way, my ds never did any of the LAMDA exams etc either.

[Caroline A-C]

Have pm'd you but says message is in my out box - can you let me know if you have got it please?

[sapphire]

Got your PM. Thanks so much!

[shortguy]

When my son did his A Levels he only applied to 3 but applied to many more the following year. He also spread them out - say one application in the next couple of months, one just before Xmas and then one in feb (doesnt mean the audtions will be spread out unfortunately)

[Welsh Mum]

I think gap years are hugely beneficial to all students, not just those going to drama school! (Both my DDs were "gappers"!!)

My youngest DD is now enetering her second year at drama school. She did not get in first time round despite lots of recalls, so she took a gap year. She was working, but it was not as hard preparing monologues etc when in work compared to when in college, when there was lots of other work to do. The second year she applied she got offers at 3 great places and was put on 2 reserve lists!! I personally think she was more mature after her gap year, and this helped. I know many drama schools actively want those who have had a bit more "life experience" (even though they also take students straight from school).

In my DDs class in drama school there those straight from school are in the minority. She herself has said that those who even a little bit older tended to settle more quickly (even though all are OK now) as its such an intense training, combined with moving away, that those straight from school were a bit overwhelmed at first. However, the good thing is that they all get on an dintergrate well whatebver age (youngest went at 18, oldest 26).

So in short it would not harm your DD at all to take a gap year.

Having bene through the whole process, i am happy to answer any other queries you may have, so PM me if you want

[sapphire]

Thanks everyone .... I knew I could rely on you all for some good sensible advice! I am sure you will all be getting lots of PMs as the year unfolds! We are having a ponder for a few weeks before making any definite decisions, but I like the idea of applying for her 'top picks' as it where this year to get a taste of what's involved. I'll keep you all posted!