Drama Schools
Choosing the right drama school for YOU.
These are our 3 biggest considerations you should take when deciding on Musical Theatre Colleges.
Choosing the right drama school is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make as an aspiring musical theatre professional. With so many options in the UK, it can feel overwhelming to decide which school will provide you with the best training and opportunities. Whether you’re just beginning to look at the options out there or you’re looking to audition this year, our guide will help you navigate the options and select the best fit for you.
1. Track Record
Look, being at the biggest or the ‘best’ drama school in the country is definitely not a guarantee for success, I myself chose a smaller and lesser known college for my training and it’s the single best career decision I ever made. However, it cannot be denied that a college with a strong reputation and track record, with good connections within the theatre industry could provide you with a better chance of securing professional work after you graduate. Many of the biggest names in musical theatre started at top-tier drama schools, and their success speaks volumes about the quality of training.
My biggest advice for aspiring performers looking at college options is ALWAYS to look at the kind of work/shows you’d like to be in, check the cast lists of those projects and look at where they trained. You’ll find if you look at certain avenues, the same names will crop up a lot and patterns start to appear.
2. Curriculum and Training Focus
Different drama schools have different areas of emphasis. Some focus more on acting, while others prioritise dance or voice training. As a musical theatre performer, you’ll need to be skilled in all three however, some institutions suite some people better. Review the curriculum offered by each school. Does it offer intensive training in singing, acting, and dancing? Does it allow you to focus on your areas of interest, or is it a more general approach?
The quality of the faculty is essential. Are the teachers experienced professionals with industry ties? Strong connections to theatres, agents, and casting directors can open doors for students. A school with an active network in the performing arts world can significantly boost your chances of getting noticed.
Also, ASK PREVIOUS ALUMNI! Even if you don’t know anyone who trained there, social media gives you the key to connect with people you wouldn’t have previously been able to! Try and get a hold of their average, weekly timetable and ask them to be honest and open about their experiences.
3. Trust Your Gut
I’ve deliberately saved this for last. Trust your own gut and instincts. At the end of the day, this is your decision about where you will spend the next 3 years (or more) of your life. You need to be 100% happy with your decision.
When I made my choice, I had whittled it down to 2. I had identical offers from both but, I’d say over 90% of the people around me were ‘advising’ me to choose the bigger and so called ‘better’ college. However, as I alluded above, I made a different choice which turned out to shape me both personally and professionally and I’m extremely grateful I trusted my own gut.
What happens next?
After all this hard work finding and choosing the right possible options ahead, now comes the really hard work… auditioning - stay tuned for our next blog.