Need help: London schools v. United States Schools

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
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<p>I definitely acknowledge that a trained professional is going to look at many of these things very differently - curriculum, faculty, productions - than many of us, including prospective students. Having that perspective is very helpful. There are ways in which I know things professionally, including in the arts, where I might have strong opinions, might see things that others don’t see. But it doesn’t mean that if I see deficits that the work is worthless. I don’t think anyone here is saying that.</p>

<p>I happen to agree that seeing questionable performances, questionable productions, etc. shouldn’t make us judge a program negatively. Whether it’s because of risks or a bad day or just a whole bunch of real weaknesses, this is what life is. No one nails everything, wins everything, or is perfect. </p>

<p>In what I do, there are aspects where I could say, “this shows lack of training” or “this shows lack of understanding of fundamentals.” I would feel this way more about something like social work, for example, where there are professional ethics and standards that simply cannot be violated. In the arts, well, I just can’t say that there are such absolutes. I had significant training, and I can tell if someone else follows the same standards I might think are important, but I can’t say that they should or shouldn’t be doing things my way or any other way. And I’m extremely open to the idea that they might be working through a learning process, perhaps trying new ideas, perhaps not fully developed, perhaps doing things I’m not aware of. I think in creative fields - and I say this with full respect for serious training - there is still a fair amount of wiggle room in what is “sufficiently good” or not. And certainly within an art form that has a significant aspect of popular appeal, sometimes being “skilled” or “properly trained” has only so much value, anyway. </p>

<p>Ultimately, I think people have to follow their own instincts. If a certain education or training style appeals to you, you should trust that you will make the most of it, or that if you need to make a change, you will know to do that. </p>

<p>In the choice among colleges, with my D, for example, she ultimately had to decide what she wanted to do her FIRST year, because trying to know what she’d absolutely want in the long run became too difficult to project, because schools, locations, etc. are all so very different. No one could tell her, “This ONE kind of program, this ONE degree,” etc. was THE only way to achieve her goals. But not having been to these schools, obviously, already, she had to take a chance with whichever one she picked. She picked the place she wanted to be for the first year, aware she might choose to transfer. She chose based on curriculum, location, and all of the other factors she knew she cared about. She also considered what was her lowest financial risk, in case she decided things weren’t what she wanted. </p>

<p>Having a lot of choices can be a real burden! I think there are lots of tangible factors, but also a lot of this that is very personal, and that can only be decided by one’s gut feelings.</p>

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<p>Actor12, I think you’re right. I hadn’t had my coffee yet when I asked that question this morning.</p>

<p>I think Fish was saying that if you see a video online that seems to have been “approved to be shown” and was faculty-directed, then it could serve as a pretty good indication of the general level of training of upperclassmen in the program in question.</p>

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<p>^ Pretty much. If it’s on the school’s website or bears the school’s logo, someone on the faculty must have thought it was good enough to show to the general public as an example of the work being done. No school graduates 100% brilliant actors, but if the majority don’t seem to be anywhere close to the professional level you see on even the worst TV shows, you’re right to question its quality if your main goal is to be at least close to ready to work at the professional level on graduation - if not totally “plug and play” like those LAMDA students any of whom look like they could knock a top of show guest star out of the park. God help us all if they relax the immigration rules …

[quote]
Fishbowlfreshman Since you have become the Guru of theatre LOL any thoughts on Ros</p>

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<p>Thank’s Fish I agree ;)</p>

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<p>Actingmom18 - congrats to your D on an impressive line-up of schools! I don’t know enough about the English schools to comment, but would echo what another poster said about your D’s reluctance to be that far away. If she is worried it may not be the best choice. If you can afford it, a visit may help her to make up her mind and see if she can imagine herself living in England, however.
I was wondering if you would mind telling us a little about what the application process to the English schools was like? I haven’t heard much about it previously.</p>

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<p>Dramamom0804: the applications were easily submitted online. She only applied to Guildhall and LAMDA as she heard how wonderful these programs were. She was going to apply to RADA but she figured this may get confusing enough. The guildhall audition was in Manhattan at Jazz at Lincoln Center in mid January. they had an initial audition with a warmup for all prospectives together. Then called each one in to do two monologues and songs. They worked a lot with her. Changing all sorts of things. She loved the faculty that was there. Then they called everyone in the room and kept two girls for callbacks. At the end they called them back in and told them both they were invited to London for final callbacks. The other girl my D was with was about 23. Most of the prospective students were a bit older and they actually told my daughter they don’t usually call back younger kids out of the country and how she felt about coming to London to study. </p>

<p>The audition for LAMDA was not as long at all. It was around the same time as Unifieds in NY. They just had her do her monologues and song. They actually asked if she had another Shakespeare and she had one in her bag but not memorized. They said forget it but for the future she should have another one. There was no callback. We just got the letter two days ago asking her to come to London for final callback and to let them know when it’s convenient. </p>

<p>Hope this helps for the thinking of applying to these schools.</p>

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<p>If she passes up this opportunity, is she one day going to kick herself for not taking it?</p>

<p>I realize I’m biased, because I really LOVE London!</p>

<p>As you say, they rarely call back young Americans, so they must have seen something AMAZING in her auditions, because she is competing with people much more experienced than she is.</p>

<p>At some point in her life she is going to have to “grow up” and leave home, and if she wants to be an actress, she is going to have to live in one of those big cities with an entertainment industry (eg New York, LA, London). She may as well “bite the bullet” and do it now!!</p>

<p>You may want to ask if she can defer her admission, that is get admitted but take a gap year or two before actually attending. I’m not sure if they will let her do that.</p>

<p>If she is living in London with some roommates who are British theatre students, they can help with the transition to a new culture.</p>

<p>And in todays “Jet Age” it isn’t as far away as it used to be.</p>

<p>Just some thoughts.</p>

<p>KEVP</p>

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<p>Last year I was in the same situation different schools. I have never been away from home but, I loved the thought of getting my Acting education in London so across the pond I went. First impression as soon as I got off the plane it felt like home, to me the city itself felt almost like New York but, so much more exciting if that could be possible! However I decided I just was not ready to cut the cord. My advise I am pretty sure Lamda does not have housing they can set you up in student housing apartments but you are kinda on your own there is no campus and no cafeterias like over here so hope you like to cook;) I believe Guildhall has Dorms and a cafe .Also most of the students are older early mid twentys so that’s something to consider too. A lot of people talk about after leaving school overseas you cannot work if you are not a EU, so why study there so that is to also to be considered. A great advantage in London schools is most offer their BA Honors in 3years and Masters in Four. So indeed you get more bang for your buck ! I hope this info helps, I know one day I will indeed study in London maybe get my Masters over there. May I also suggest taking one of their Summer programs to get your feet wet, good luck with your decision I know it is not easy!</p>

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<p>Thanks Actingmom18. How interesting. I spent a semester in London during college and it was amazing. I was not really homesick at all. I was a junior by then though and I knew it was only for 12 weeks.
I would give your D some time to soak all this in. My older son changed quite a bit in his thinking about schools as he was deciding. At first he didn’t want to go far or explore much but eventually we ended up choosing between the University of Delaware, about 2 hours from us, and University of Minnesota, halfway across the country from us. Your D may feel quite differently after she goes for callbacks and gets a sense of London, and just has time to ponder it. I’m sure it is a shock to suddenly realize you really maybe living in another country for school, even though she knew that when she applied!
A friend of mine used to say “There are no wrong choices. Just different results.”. I think that about sums up your position now. They are all great schools you are choosing from. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I studied in London for a year when I was 20-21 and absolutely loved it, but I was older. However, I do have to agree with KEVP, and like him, I’m admittedly biased toward the British schools. But the quality of training is outstanding. If you can afford it, I would certainly consider it. Fly out there for the callbacks–it’s worth that (I’m assuming you can afford that since you haven’t brought up that concern). Once she’s there, she will be able to get a feel for the place far better than from here. Honestly, with plane service, England is not much farther than California, if you live on the East Coast like we do. It’s far, but do-able. I do have to say the level of independence and the rigor is much more than American schools–when I went, I felt I was jumping ahead several years and was suddenly doing first year graduate level work. Suddenly, papers that would have earned an A in my American school, were deemed shlock at University of London (where I went), and I was held to far higher standards. But the result of that for me is that it pushed me to much greater heights than I would have achieved back at home. I liked that they pushed me and held me to much higher standards. Your daughter may find she enjoys the independence and the rigor. I think a lot will be answered when/if you visit. She will get a much stronger sense of the place. It’s really great you have these options-huge congratulations to her.</p>

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<p>does anyone have any ideas about working in the US after training at these schools abroad? My daughter is concerned about the loss of connections here if she is over there for three years.</p>

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<p>Actingmom, my S who just turned 18 was offered a place at LAMDA for this fall. He spent 3 weeks at BADA last summer so that helped him get a feel for being away from home and he loved it! As far as your D fearing the loss of connections, LAMDA does an American showcase in LA and NYC for casting agents, talent agents, directors, etc every year for graduating students, so it shouldn’t stop her from choosing a school in London.</p>

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<p>Thanks mommadrama. Did he go for the final callback already? I guess so since he was already offered a place. Is he going to go there? Do you know what the housing situation is like there? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I have so many! That is so great for him, congratulations!</p>

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<p>Thanks actingmom, he did not have to go for final callbacks. He was offered a place a few days after his audition. He has decided to attend because he had a great feeling after talking to the auditors in the room. As far as housing, there is none on campus. They will send info on that once you accept an offer. However, I have been talking to a current student on the uk forums and he has given me advice about where to look, cost, etc. Hope that helps!</p>

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<p>mommadrama, can you give us some idea of what type of work the students get during summer break? Are they staying in the UK? What issues are presented for them booking work there? Has the school provided you with that type of information? How does the different school year calendar affect this? These are all questions that have been raised previously here by families looking into UK schools. Perhaps you can share what you’ve learned?</p>

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<p>alwaysamom, sorry I have no knowledge of this yet as my son won’t start until the fall and information won’t be available to me until after May 1. I do know that school starts in September and ends in July with a break for winter and spring. I will come back and post the information that is sent to my son and maybe some of your questions will be answered.</p>

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<p>Thanks, mommadrama. I think there will be people who can benefit from that knowledge. Will your son be in the two or three year program?</p>

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<p>Alwaysamom,
He will be in the three year program.</p>

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<p>mommadrama: just a couple of quick questions. Did your son audition in London for LAMDA or over here. My D auditioned here in NY. It was pretty quick and they basically hinted at the audition that she would be called for recall audition. She received the letter about two weeks ago.<br>
Now with Guildhalll she also auditioned here in NY and went through the callback here. She was told at the end that they were inviting her back for final callback at the end of May. did your S receive a letter from them yet regarding the final callback?
We just wanted to make the arrangements to go to London for both auditions. Any ideas on where to stay?</p>

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<p>Actingmom18, my S auditioned for both schools in NY as well. With LAMDA the audition was pretty quick as well and they hinted the same thing but he received a call a few days later that he was being offered a place. With Guildhall it was the same as your D. He was told the dates were May 20-21 and that they will be sending him all of the information at a later date. As far as arrangements, I believe they will stay on campus for Guildhall (not absolutely positive) and will have to find a place to stay for LAMDA. My S hasn’t visited any of the schools yet but will be able to stay with a friend he met at BADA.</p>