My DD was looking at qualifications required for Musical Theatre at places like Urdang and Laines and Mountview last night and now she's worried because she doesn't have things like LAMDA exams. She has Ballet RAD exams, but the drama schools she goes to don't do exams (Junior Guildhall and Jigsaw Performing Arts). She's also a member of the county Youth Dance scheme which is a select group of dancers. She's performed in professional shows as well as lots of youth and am dram activities so she has experience in that respect. What type of exams have other people DC's put down on the application forms?
Also would anyone recommend the pre-audition courses that are available for 15-16 year olds?
My ds is studying MT at Arts Ed and has never taken any LAMDA exams or even lessons. He did a BTech in Performing Arts but I am not sure that the actual subjects taken at 16+ were that important. Think there was a minimum requirement (as with any FT college/university) but everybody who applied got an audition. The audition is the important thing. Having said that, getting as much experience and going to see shows (particularly the shows put on at the colleges you are interested in) is important and your dd has obviously got that under her belt. He did write a personal statement which included all the relevant information he felt would help. I would't worry about LAMDA. I am sure there are others on this site who will have more helpful information too.
Hi Livy2 - lots of people on here will give you advice on what is required. We too have been investigating as my dd will be applying for 2014 entry - currently looking at Laine/Urdang/Bird/Conti as Caroline A-C says I think audition is the main thing - unless you are looking at degree in which case I assume audition and UCAS points although my dd will only be 16 so looking at Diploma at moment. We intend to get to end of term shows and possibly pre audition day at Laine , Urdang do a pre audition week which I'm sure is good but we are not available when it is on in the summer
I can confidently state that what is important is the audition. If you are what the college wants, they are not going to very bothered about exam grades - though in some cases their funding may mean that they need to insist on a certain educational level (even then, I suspect they are able to make exceptions - RADA is maintained funding for example, and graduates emerge with a B.A. but it has no minimum educational requirements in terms of exam results for entry). If you are looking for places to study Dance and MT then it would be unusual for anyone to be able to demonstrate high enough skill level without having had some kind of training and some experience - but perhaps not altogether impossible. Panels are skilled at spotting potential and it can be seen in the roughest of diamonds sometimes. Exams aren't necessary.
In terms of acting: LAMDA exams may provide individuals with some useful skills and confidence (depending on the individual and on the teacher) but LAMDA grades are definitely not regarded as an indication of potential to succeed in the profession. They are very unlikely to have any influence on an applicant's success in terms of drama school auditions. For an actor, it's what you do in your audition that counts - and to some extent how you come across in an interview. They are not looking for experience - they're looking for potential. Experience may well enable you to SHOW your potential in the best light though.
My DD is coming to the end of her MT degree course and I back up what has already been said - its all about the audition. However, that said doing dance/singing exams does help to improve overall standard - ideally do the exams plus get stage experience (amateur is fine). I don't think the acting exams stretch you in a similar way as the discipline does not have a structured syllabus
The highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive.
My ds is doing the BA in MT and the qualifications minimum was pretty low for a degree. The requirements were the same whether you were doing the diploma of BA. In fact, at Arts Ed, there was an extra one off cost of £400 which you needed to pay in order to turn the diploma into a BA (obviously there is a bit of written work involved too!!).
