Drama School Potentials (UCAS/CUKAS applicable)

Heya there!

Now firstly I should really think up a less cheesy way of starting a post because at the moment what Im doing is just saying "yeah she still watches High School Musical and Camp Rock in her spare time..." Which I don't, well not camp rock.

Anyway the point of this post is to discuss the different drama schools that I really want to audition for.

If you have done your research then you will know that there are 100's of different places which offer Acting/Drama degree's. 

Now personally I have avoided all courses which offer a Drama BA because according to my "So you want to go to Drama School" book these courses are very academic in structure and have little pratical lessons, so this to me would sound a bit like torture. In a lecture theatre having some old person waffle on about Shakespeare seems to me, rather dull plus a waste of three years. (Also you have to get the top grades to get onto these courses which for me will never happen.)

Now because of this, with places that offer the Acting BA the number of places offered in minute compared to the amount of applicants. For example at LAMDA they only take 3.5% anually so they really do want the best of the best.

And to be the best of the best you need to know what they want from you.

OK so I'm going to first start with the one's that you can apply for via UCAS...

1. Manchester Met.

One of the few Universities which offers a high standard Acting BA course it has trained the likes of Julie Walters and the late Richard Griffiths.

Number of places available - 80

Fee for audition - £45

Qualifications needed - 2 B's and a C at A2 level. (Or 280 UCAS points)

The initial audition peices (3 monologues are wanted) - 

*One Shakespeare which must be written in blank verse (this is when there is a flowing beat but it does not rhyme, usually it is iambic pentameter).

^Don't worry too much if you don't understand that, the majority of Shakespeare's monologues are written in this form, but if you are not sure then ask someone who has a good knowledge of the english language (an english/drama teacher perhaps) to check it just in case.

*The next needs to be from a play written after 1970.

*A monologue of your choice, from any era/genre.

Remember - These monologues can last up to 2 mins so they will probbably need to be cut down to the time limit. (In saying this, ensure that they are not too short either and that you understand the character and what they are saying - i.e. particually with shakespeare - and where this monologue is in the play.)

Why I choose this course...

-This course has been acredited by the NCDT. (Always look for this as it shows that the teaching standard is of a high quality.)

-It is very close to home so I would not have to spend money on rent and live at home instead.

- The course looks interesting and would help to be employable afterwards.

-The University has a very good special needs department that could help me with my dyslexia.

http://www.theatre.mmu.ac.uk/courses/ba-acting/

2. Italia Conti

 One of the oldest stage training schools in the world, covers a vast range of art training including opera, musical theatre and many others.

Actors who have trained there include Karen Gillan (Amy Pond - Dr Who), Noël Coward, Russel Brand and many more...

No. of places available - 24

Fee for Audition - £45
Qualifications needed - 2 C's at A2 level

The initial audition peices (2 monologues wanted) - 

*A shakespeare peice to be chosen from a list on their website :/

* A monologue from a play written after 1870.

The duration of each of these peices needs to be around 1.5 mins, if it is alot longer then you will be stopped.

Why I choose this course...

- It is a NCDT acredited course

- I belive this course would challenge me in the different aspects of theatre.

- If you don't get onto the BA course they also consider you for their foundation course which looks the best out of all the foundation courses that I have looked at.

http://www.italiaconti-acting.com/

3.Drama Centre London

Within the St Martin Central Campus the place is surounded by a creative energy (god I sound like a hippy) which the school focuses on in its aspect of learning. Famous students include Oscar winning Colin Firth, John Simm + more.

No. of places available - 16!

Fee for audition - £45
Qualifications needed - 2 Passes at A2 level

The initial audition peices (2 monologues are wanted) -

*A Shakespeare peice

*A monologue from 1830+

Remember - the monologues can be no longer than 3 mins (so they can't be too short either).

Why I choose this course...

- This course has been acredited by the NCDT.

- It offers something very different compared to the rest of them which I really like.

- Unlike the majority of drama schools in London it has accomadation.

http://www.csm.arts.ac.uk/dramacentrelondon/

And now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which you have to apply for via CUKAS (a website which works in a similar way as UCAS).

Based in Glasgow in the summer I am doing a course there with my freind and the School has trained people like David Tennant and James McAvoy.

No. of places available - Around 25

Fee of the audition - £45
Qualifications needed - 2 Passes at A2 level

The initial Audition Peices (2 monologues needed) - 

*One shakespeare, any of your choice.

*A moden one, now the site dosent say how far back you can use one from but I'll say go back about 50 years max as I feel that is a safe boundary.

Why I choose this course...

- An acredited course

- Has a broad range of ways in which to improve an actor

- Based in Glasgow so will be cheaper to live there in comparison to London.

http://www.rcs.ac.uk/

I will do another post on the Drama Schools that I want to go to which you have apply by their website individually but I don't want this post to get too long so I am going to bugger off now and do some maths revision...

Byeeee

Terri ;D