Page 4 of 88

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 8:21 pm
by islandofsodor
Is your dd 18 hewood?

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 10:29 pm
by becmum
My DD is 16 on foundation at Laine and has been able to claim housing benefit. We were really surprised but when I called the council to confirm they were really helpful and said ‘is she doing foundation at Laine?’ and had to supply letter confirming where and who she was living with, fill a form out and two months bank statements. It’s been a massive help with her rent...this may help with some decision making for other parents. 🤗

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 7:21 am
by Moonfaery
So does it depend on the course they are doing?
Does it need to be a foundation course as opposed to sixth form?

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 7:39 am
by Moonfaery
I’ve just found this on Gov website:
Income support eligibility:
‘in full-time education (not university), aged between 16 and 20, and not living with a parent or someone acting as a parent’
Universal credit eligibility:
‘you’re in ‘non-advanced education’ (for example studying for A levels or a BTEC National Diploma), are 21 or under and do not have parental support’

So it would seem that it’s worth an enquiry for income support for my 16year old on a BTEC but it depends if they count a host family as ‘someone acting as a parent’ I doubt they would as really it’s just renting a room in a home (although we are very lucky as they are the best host family ever and treat her like one of their own!)
With regards to universal credit, she does have parental support so not sure of the criteria for that.
Does anyone know the criteria? Is it means tested?
Thanks

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 8:15 am
by lotsolaffs
Mine had HB for a year,she changed host as it was literally a room and not really a good environment for her. We were told that she would need to claim UC but that she wouldn't be eligible as had moved and that counted as a change of circumstances,it also depended on what was on tenancy agreement, those who signed for the duration of the course ,2 years still receive it.
I was grateful for it while we had it.
Some councils may not have changed to UC yet so that might explain why some receive it and some don't.

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 4:04 pm
by becmum
Moonfaery wrote: Wed Oct 02, 2019 7:21 am So does it depend on the course they are doing?
Does it need to be a foundation course as opposed to sixth form?
The diploma students don’t get it as it’s a higher education course, they justify it as foundation course is further education like 6th form.
Not sure if this is specific to Epsom council and Laine. We actually had to write a letter stating as parents we were supporting her for the year but the benefit was only means tested by using her own bank account info👍

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2019 6:42 pm
by cookycrew
My dd has recently complete the Foundation year at RADA and Camden Council were adamant we could not apply for any Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. I stated that other students at GSA etc were being given financial support, however, Camden refused point blank. We didn’t even get to the stage of being asked for evidence of our finances. So frustrating when we could see that students at other institutions were in receipt of the benefit. Interesting to hear that funding is still being offered this year by some councils. Worth a try applying for sure as it is a reasonable amount and would have helped us so much. :cry: :)

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 2:03 pm
by lea
Hi all, hoping you lovely people can help! My DS is hoping to train in MT from 2020 he's 16 so is looking at either the 6th form route followed by degree or the Trinity Diploma. He is a very strong singer and a good actor but never formally trained in dance. Although not a natural dancer, he can move and has been fortunate to do some pro work as child and lots of part time MT / acting training over the years, although, that said, given the strength of his voice he's often placed in non-dance/lead roles, so opportunities to really develop his dance have been somewhat thin on the ground. For sixth form we are looking at Arts Ed (although really too expensive for us), Brit, Emil Dale, Bodens, Tring (only if gains scholarship), then Italia Conti, Urdang and Bird for the Trinity Diploma. With Italia Conti, Urdang and Bird, what are his chances of success getting on the Diploma without formal dance training? If a strong singer and actor is it enough to be "trainable" in dance? His heart is set on MT rather than acting route since singing is his passion and he's not a fan of classical theatre. Am I missing any colleges that might be suitable for him? We are London based. Thanks for your help and advice.

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 5:35 pm
by lotsolaffs
Hi Lea,I would get along to all the numerous boys open days or audition days that are coming up soon so that he can see what is involved. It seems to be as competitive for boys as girls!
I don't think that there is much of a problem not having too much dance, but I wouldn't say it is easy.My daughter has only been dancing since the age of 13 and got into Brit and Tring - very,very small scholarship and is now at EDA where she has improved beyond belief in dance.Best thing about there is equal training in all three aspects of MT. She has remarked that more boys have started this year in 6th form

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 6:29 pm
by Proseccoplease
Hi lea,
My DS is almost 16 and also looking at sixth form so they may run into each other! As lotsolaffs says it's best to visit, there are lots of amazing free boys days out there. DS is doing Arts Ed this weekend then Emile Dale the following and I'm sure I saw Laine's advertising a boys day. We are only looking at Arts Ed and Emile Dale as we are not in London and these are top of his list. Otherwise it will be a case of keeping up the training alongside his ALevels which will be hard but I'm realising it's not the end of the world at all! It seems there are lots of successful NAPM kids who have taken this route too. Does he do dance lessons at all? Might be worth trying to squish a few lessons in here and there. DS has done ballet for years, singing is his strength but knows he needs the dance for MT and most 6th forms/colleges have a Jazz class as part of the audition so as long as he would feel confident to give it a go he should just go for it! As they say they are looking for trainability not the finished item! Good luck! Just got to try and focus on GCSE's! :roll:

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2019 10:58 pm
by daisy1
Wondering if anyone can give advice on good choices for monologues? DD has a modern monologue and we’re currently choosing a Shakespeare one. Her modern monologue is American (though definitely able to do in own accent), and though this will be okay for some of the audition places it won’t be okay for others! We’ve found another monologue in the National Youth Theatre book of 75 monologues, and it’s from a play the NYT performed a few years ago, but unsure whether this counts as a published play? That is probably a really stupid question but my mind is scrambled from looking at so many monologues! She doesn’t do LAMDA or anything like that so we’re kind of on our own here! TIA :D

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 2:48 pm
by Rhymie
My advise is not to choose from monologue books, they tend to be learnt out of context and very over performed. If you look on Amazon top 100 plays you will find some great modern play ideas, Amazon always then prompt "others you may like" which takes you to some lesser known titles.

In addition if you google Guardian modern play reviews, or new playwrites you also get a lot of new ideas. We always read the reviews and then bought the whole play for context. Make sure the modern contrasts totally to the Shakesphere and also try and choose something none shouty and not too over dramatic. These tend to be really overdone.

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 2:50 pm
by Rhymie
daisy1 wrote: Wed Oct 23, 2019 10:58 pm Wondering if anyone can give advice on good choices for monologues? DD has a modern monologue and we’re currently choosing a Shakespeare one. Her modern monologue is American (though definitely able to do in own accent), and though this will be okay for some of the audition places it won’t be okay for others! We’ve found another monologue in the National Youth Theatre book of 75 monologues, and it’s from a play the NYT performed a few years ago, but unsure whether this counts as a published play? That is probably a really stupid question but my mind is scrambled from looking at so many monologues! She doesn’t do LAMDA or anything like that so we’re kind of on our own here! TIA :D
My advice is not to choose from monologue books, they tend to be learnt out of context and very over performed. If you look on Amazon top 100 plays you will find some great modern play ideas, Amazon always then prompt "others you may like" which takes you to some lesser known titles.

In addition, if you google Guardian modern play reviews, or new playwrites you also get a lot of new ideas. We always read the reviews and then bought the whole play for context. Make sure the modern contrasts totally to the Shakesphere and also try and choose something none shouty and not too over dramatic. These tend to be really overdone.

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 8:12 am
by jasmine2
lea wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2019 2:03 pm Hi all, hoping you lovely people can help! My DS is hoping to train in MT from 2020 he's 16 so is looking at either the 6th form route followed by degree or the Trinity Diploma. He is a very strong singer and a good actor but never formally trained in dance. Although not a natural dancer, he can move and has been fortunate to do some pro work as child and lots of part time MT / acting training over the years, although, that said, given the strength of his voice he's often placed in non-dance/lead roles, so opportunities to really develop his dance have been somewhat thin on the ground. For sixth form we are looking at Arts Ed (although really too expensive for us), Brit, Emil Dale, Bodens, Tring (only if gains scholarship), then Italia Conti, Urdang and Bird for the Trinity Diploma. With Italia Conti, Urdang and Bird, what are his chances of success getting on the Diploma without formal dance training? If a strong singer and actor is it enough to be "trainable" in dance? His heart is set on MT rather than acting route since singing is his passion and he's not a fan of classical theatre. Am I missing any colleges that might be suitable for him? We are London based. Thanks for your help and advice.
Have you considered Bodyworks in Cambridge? They do boys only auditions and offer Dadas, Excellent training with most graduates obtaining professional work as soon as they graduate x highly recommend

Re: Auditioning for 2020 entry

Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 12:56 pm
by riverdancefan
lea wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2019 2:03 pm Hi all, hoping you lovely people can help! My DS is hoping to train in MT from 2020 he's 16 so is looking at either the 6th form route followed by degree or the Trinity Diploma. He is a very strong singer and a good actor but never formally trained in dance. Although not a natural dancer, he can move and has been fortunate to do some pro work as child and lots of part time MT / acting training over the years, although, that said, given the strength of his voice he's often placed in non-dance/lead roles, so opportunities to really develop his dance have been somewhat thin on the ground. For sixth form we are looking at Arts Ed (although really too expensive for us), Brit, Emil Dale, Bodens, Tring (only if gains scholarship), then Italia Conti, Urdang and Bird for the Trinity Diploma. With Italia Conti, Urdang and Bird, what are his chances of success getting on the Diploma without formal dance training? If a strong singer and actor is it enough to be "trainable" in dance? His heart is set on MT rather than acting route since singing is his passion and he's not a fan of classical theatre. Am I missing any colleges that might be suitable for him? We are London based. Thanks for your help and advice.
You can pursue musical theatre by following the acting route, all the acting routes at places like Mountview etc have singing and movement. RADA and Guildhall etc all have voice and singing work. This would give him confidence in basic choreo and picking up. Going the acting route doesn’t exclude MT work. You don’t need to worry about that. I see the bit about classical acting, he’s going to need to be open to all of it. My DS loves modern works but also enjoys Shakespeare,Ibsen and Marlowe, take him to everything can you can.
Would he really want somewhere like Laines, Tring or Bird where the dance is strong and competitive? Maybe not.
He’s better off looking at acting singing dance rather than any other way round.
Look at Bertie Carvell, Cynthia Erivo..incredible actors and singers who morph from acting to MT and back again but were trained at RADA.
Look at 6th form places that really push a strong acting side, he will get dance instruction but also lots of what he really loves.
I can only really talk about EDA which has a strong dance ethos but also a fantastic drama and music department and is very good at seeing natural talent and really bringing it on.

The right place will find him.