Could some people voice their opinions on this?

As in, what has a better reputation now for MT, GSA or Mountview?

Thank you:).

My opinions probably aren't worth very much, having only observed from afar with an aching jealousy of anyone who attends both these institutions, but they both seem to be excellent, having a pretty high employment rate in West End musicals, judging by the performers bios. I think... Mountview might be more dance-based and GSA may be more voice-based, but there's a high, HIGH probability I'm just making that up. I don't suppose there's very much in the difference between the two quality-wise, they both look mighty fine to me.

There is not much to chose betwee them, but in by humble opinion, Arts Ed is numero uno and is getting superb results.

Thanks!

"Mountview might be more dance-based and GSA may be more voice-based"

Is that true?

Yes it is generally recognised as being true, but in three years time when you start to audition you want to be a triple threat ( there are plenty around) so you will need to be good at everything.

Don't choose a course that is strong where you are strong.

You will need to be challenged, so choose a course that will stretch you, and strengthen your weaknesses,
so that in three year's time you will be a good all rounder.

RedMomma, why do you speak so highly of ArtsEd?

[]

I think you only have to look at cast lists in the West End and tours to see the degree of success they are having with graduates.

I know a lot of people who have been through the course, including my own family and have a long association with this course, although I have worked at other schools.

They have a long tradition in MT and ex students include people like Glen Carter, Sally Ann Triplett, Josefina Gabrielle whilst more recent graduates like Oliver Tompsett, Tasha Sheridan and Scott Monello are beginning to make names for themselves

One of the questions to ask at audition is how many of the graduates get agents on leaving, as getting representation can be quite important as the entry to those private auditions.

Just a bit biased, but they seem to be getting it right.

Also, what about CSSD for MT?

[]

I agree that I think Arts Ed's MT course is currently streaks ahead of the rest. This year, something ridiculous like 80% of their grads had job offers before the end of the year.

I'm a big fan of GSA also - this year especially was very strong.

I also agree with RedMomma's point about going somewhere that will challenge you... I think that's Mountview's biggest weakness. Yes, they strengthen your strengths, but they do very little for your weaknesses. I also feel there is an element of complacency that occurs with Mountview's MT grads moreso than elsewhere. (I hasten to add that this isn't always the case - there are some wonderfully lovely MT grads from Mountview who have their head screwed on. I just feel that those who are hard to work with, and unreasonable and, dare I say it, egotistical, have trained at Mountview moreso than anywhere else.)

CSSD's MT course impressed me this year... their focus on acting through song is a refreshing change (I tend to feel that acting is a very forgotten discipline in musical theatre).

Each course has its strengths. It depends what you want to achieve after graduating that will help you decide between courses.

Thanks! What would you say is ArtsEd's strength? Singing or Dancing?

Putting forward my own question into this discussion: I occassionally think while watching shows that sometimes the acting in music theatre is a little neglected, in my experience the acting is occassionaly not as strong as it should be in young leads, although ensembles ability to sing act and dance at once is frequently impressive.

I was thinking, would it make a big difference if a student who wanted to be in musical theatre took just an acting course rather than an MT course so that their acting was stronger (than most MT students who have less experience as they need to be good allrounders), and they continued to build their singing and dancing skills outside of the course? The only disadvantages I could think of is that they might not be able to multitask as well as MT students, and at the showcases, they's only be noticed as actors and find it harder to initially get into the MT industry...but wouldn't this make them a stronger more likely lead in the end?

I could be completely wrong, but I was wondering what people thought.

Neither. It's strong on all three disciplines of dance, singing and acting.



.

CSSD is great for teaching you acting - and how to extend this acting ability into your singing and movement. It's not a dancers school, but the 3 yr BA Acting Musical Stage course is turning out some really great people at the moment... all of them very individual and talented, in my opinion. Plus it's a really great actorly atmophere there, so if you want to get a good all round acting education Central is great.

You would be hard pressed to find the level of singing and dancing you would get at a prestige school, matched by taking classes externally.

Think long term and try to put yourself in your first audition - what happens.

Well first you dance and if you cannot do it to the level the panel want, you are cut before you even open your mouth to sing or act.

That's always worried me, my dancing is nowhere near the standard of my singing or acting...

CSSD's course is called Acting For Musical Theatre it isn't your traditional MT course. Having said that, some of the graduates from this year will do very well. Because they focus so much on acting the words in songs etc I think they have a slight edge in that respect.