14 replies to this topic

[MsLaGuardia]

Hello

Everybody was so helpful when I posted last year about where to look for National Youth Theatre funding - I thought I'd ask for some more advice.

I'm currently in my third year of University, studying drama and theatre studies. I will have one more year after this one where I will gain a masters degree. My dream would be to go to drama school after my course - but as do most things in life - this all comes down to money. I just can't afford to attend a drama school - even with dada awards etc it's just not something I can afford. For a one year Post Grad course it's going to be somewhere around 14 thousand for the course fees alone. Sigh.

I'm trying everything I can to get into acting, such as NYT and Old Vic New Voices - I'm already a member of NYT and I've been invited to audition for Old Vic New Voices. I guess my next step is to try and get myself an agent...

I perform in shows at university and before the end of this year I'm hoping to perform in a production taking place on a professional stage. I'm assuming this would be a perfect situation to invite an agent to....but my next question is just how?

Is it really as simple as the things I've read - just ask them to show up? Do you send them tickets in the hope they'll use them, or do you just write a letter and give them the theatre address? I know these questions sound silly - but there is never anyone who can truly answer them for some reason. So I ask you...whatsonstage members - how did you get your agent?

And is there anyone who has 'made it' without the need to train professionally? I understand the importance of training, I really do - I just can't afford the costs - there HAS to be another way, there just has to be....doesn't there?

Thank You for your time! x

[Haz]

I work for an agent. We get LOTS of letters/emails/calls about shows (especially around this time of year) so make sure you give plenty of notice - around 3 weeks or so is best.

To be completely honest with you, I think you might struggle to persuade people to come to non-CDS productions. There are SO many shows to see just looking at drama schools, that to try and add in performances by university drama courses would leave you with just not enough time to breathe.

Fees for drama schools are extortionate but bear in mind that there ARE scholarships/grants/bursaries available. Get in touch with the schools you're interested in and find out exactly what financial support they offer and how you'd go about applying (and also when applications have to be in by - it's often quite far in advance of the start of the course).

If you want to invite people though, get hold of a copy of Contacts (produced by The Spotlight - either call them or order it from your bookshop. It's about £12) and go through the agents section. Be selective - if you're musical theatre, there's no point writing to an agent who purely does voice-overs and vice versa. Send a short, concise letter explaining your training and experience thus far with details of how to get tickets - either your own contact details or those of the box office. Also send a CV and headshot.

Can I ask why you're doing an MA now, rather than a BA? Is it a Scottish course? Bear in mind a postgrad at drama school is the equivalent of an MA. If you did a three year BA and then a postgrad, you'd save a year's uni fees that could go towards your drama school fees. Is it too late to think about something like that?

Make sure you subscribe to The Stage etc. PCR, though a bit rubbish for more experienced actors, can be good for details of short films etc. Look into getting as much relevant experience as you can during your uni holidays. If you decide you can't afford drama school, you need to show people that you're serious, so get as much experience on your CV as possible.

Good luck!

[MsLaGuardia]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply I will be sure to follow your advice.

My University offers all single honour drama students a 4 year course where you come out at the end with an 'MDrama' award. I could finish after this academic year and recieve my BA, but it's not even something anyone considers - One of the reasons I took this course was due to the fact I could come out of uni with a higher degree level.

I never thought of contacting drama schools one by one to ask about their specific funding - I just looked into Dada's etc and figured they'd be very little use to me - although generous, they're not quite enough to allow me to take advantage of one.

Thanks Again

[JIJane]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply I will be sure to follow your advice.

My University offers all single honour drama students a 4 year course where you come out at the end with an 'MDrama' award. I could finish after this academic year and recieve my BA, but it's not even something anyone considers - One of the reasons I took this course was due to the fact I could come out of uni with a higher degree level.

I never thought of contacting drama schools one by one to ask about their specific funding - I just looked into Dada's etc and figured they'd be very little use to me - although generous, they're not quite enough to allow me to take advantage of one.

Thanks Again

Very good advice from Haz. Just one thing - if you want to be an ACTOR noone is going to care how many years you spent training at uni and whether you have a BA or MA. If you are getting an MA and doing 4 years for other reasons, then that's fine but in terms of being an actor - save your money and go to drama school.

Funding - look at each school's website for details, there is funding available for post grads but you need to research...you may also want to think about taking a year out to just work and earn as much as you can - and then spend a year at drama school. Quite a few people do this.

[Aranel]

xx

[Biddy]

I don't know anything about them, though from adverts in TheStage, & from Googling, I gather London has some places
(eg The Poor School and TheActorWorks)
which offer training in the evenings & weekends, enabling students to Work & Earn in the daytimes.

[Biddy]

you may also want to think about taking a year out to just work and earn as much as you can - and then spend a year at drama school. Quite a few people do this.

Taking time out in the world could help in other ways besides income:
Drama Schools might prefer candidates who have Life Experience beyond School & College.

Also, from adverts in TheStage, & from Googling, I gather London has some places
(eg The Poor School and TheActorWorks, & maybe others)
which offer training in the evenings & weekends, enabling students to Work & Earn in the daytimes.

Good Luck!

[Ken]

I don't know anything about them, though from adverts in TheStage, & from Googling, I gather London has some places
(eg The Poor School and TheActorWorks)
which offer training in the evenings & weekends, enabling students to Work & Earn in the daytimes.

There are a few places you can go part-time. Pineapple Performing Arts School (a Sunday course for all levels) or Stageworks has an 'advanced students only' Saturday Programme. www.stageworkstraining.co.uk

[MsLaGuardia]

Coming back to this thread months later it's nice to see the newer replies. Thank you.

Since my post I have figured out I really don't need to go to drama school....I now know it isn't what I personally need to do to get anywhere...I'm starting to understand hard work and determination is much more important! I already believe I have the acting skills and networking skills - and I now know Drama School does not equal agents and doors opening!

I'm sure all the people who helped me in this thread and via PM will be pleased to know I have so many things on the cards at the moment and I'm lucky enough to have been taken on by two agents in the past couple of months.

Thank you