Getting into John Curtin College of the Arts

Wed, 21 Apr 2010, 03:28 am

SLE28 posts in thread

In an environment that can often be not what you know but who you know... any tips on how to get my daughter into John Curtin?

I just discovered I've missed the application date for NEXT year by just a few weeks :( 15 March they closed :(

There are limited opps where we live and it really does appear to be who you know here rather than what you know.

She wants to get to WAAPA eventually.

Ideas?

Thread (28 posts)

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SLEWed, 21 Apr 2010, 03:28 am

In an environment that can often be not what you know but who you know... any tips on how to get my daughter into John Curtin?

I just discovered I've missed the application date for NEXT year by just a few weeks :( 15 March they closed :(

There are limited opps where we live and it really does appear to be who you know here rather than what you know.

She wants to get to WAAPA eventually.

Ideas?

Walter PlingeFri, 23 Apr 2010, 07:04 pm

its not a case of who you

its not a case of who you know, my son just got into jc this year in yr 8 and we knew no one, he auditioned, and got in on his own merit this year closing date was for 2012, so you will have to wait till next year now, to apply for the year 2013, you can apply to get in in any year, i know someone who got in in year 9 and someone else, has just auditioned for 2012 year 11, dont give up, just keep trying, but yes you will have to wait till next year, now

MusicalMumSat, 24 Apr 2010, 09:05 am

Going to JC is not a prerequisite for WAAPA.....

....and may not even be the best/right choice for everyone, in terms of the child's academic and/or artistic needs. What is it at WAAPA that your daughter wants to do? How old is she now?

tifbifSat, 24 Apr 2010, 05:49 pm

I went to JC. I auditioned

I went to JC. I auditioned and got in and started there at the beginning of year 10. It isn't who you know, I don't know where you got that from but I'd say your best option is to try again next year and hopefully she'll get in for year 9. Good luck though :) John Curtin is a fantastic school. I absolutely loved it there.

GarrethSat, 24 Apr 2010, 11:14 pm

What does she want to do

What does she want to do when she leaves WAAPA? I have many of my students say that they would like to eventually get into WAAPA and that is why they're doing my course. I ask them what they would like to do once they leave WAAPA and they say "I would like to be an actor", I then respond "going to WAAPA is not a pre-requisite to being an actor". My point is, if you have the drive, the aptitude and the passion for acting then you are just as likely to succeed as someone who has had formal training. JC, WAAPA, NIDA and many more are all great places to undertake training, but they are not magic backdoor entrances into the professional industry.

migrumMon, 26 Apr 2010, 09:02 am

Selections controlled by Department of Education

Applications for John Curtin are controlled by the Department of Education. This keeps it fair for all Gifted and Talented schools across WA. This means no matter who you are, or who you know, it is an equal playing field. This also means they need to keep cut off dates the same for every school. You can apply right up to year 11 and entry to WAAPA is not guaranteed. Like John Curtin, WAAPA have hundreds of applicants and it really comes down to talent and commitment to gain a place in either institute. The comment above stating you don't need to go to John Curtin to gain placement in WAAPA is very true. If it is a passion and they have the talent, commitment and drive then that is what will give them the advantage. Keep up private lessons and try for John Curtin in future years. There are plenty of good dance companies out there, get a private singing instructor for voice and try WAYTCO, West Australian Youth Theatre Company for drama. Depending on what they wish to do at WAAPA. Good luck.

KimberleyMon, 26 Apr 2010, 10:25 am

Reading the original post

I think DFE was referring to "who you know" for finding out about opportunities such as applying for John Curtin and opportunities locally...rather than suggesting John Curtin's application system was flawed.

Walter PlingeMon, 26 Apr 2010, 02:24 pm

It's interesting to read

It's interesting to read the above. I have recently moved to WA and I have been made to understand that the reputation at JCC is rather inaccurate. My son is studying Drama and has been quite succesful to date. I was keen to look into getting him into JCC but was warned away by a few who identified the dept as being weak in comparison to some other Colleges south of the river.

Walter PlingeWed, 28 Apr 2010, 01:11 pm

agree with all, try for

agree with all, try for john curtin, you will hear good and bad and there is good and bad at every school, it sometimes depends on your child, if they go there and take part, etc, but yes john curtin is not the end, you can go to any dance school etc, and apply for waapa on your own, some try out and have never done any training if you have the talent then it will get reconised.

Walter PlingeFri, 30 Apr 2010, 01:40 am

A former student of John Curtin

A former student of John Curtin myself, I have to say that make sure your daughter knows they discourage anybody doing outside performances - that is to say, amateur productions (or even professional productions!) are frowned upon. Well, they were when I went there :). I had just been caught doing a show outside the school and I said to them 'look, if you can give me a good reason how it will hinder me in future, then by all means I'll consider pulling out.' (not that I would've anyway). The reason given, and I quote 'Because doing shows out there won't show you what it's like in the real world!' O.o That being said, I enjoyed the musical theatre program for years 8 - 10, and detested the drama for years 11 - 12 - but that was due to the fact I preferred to be performing rather than reading about performing. After our auditions they informed us they were looking for people with 'spark' (potential), people that looked comfortable on stage and people that weren't afraid to use the space. Maybe that is something your daughter could look into improving? I'd personally recommend getting as much experience in the amateur theater world as possible.

GarrethFri, 30 Apr 2010, 11:52 am

I have had an actor go

I have had an actor go through precisely this whilst working with me at WAYTCo, but I have been informed by my General Manager and Artistic Director that there seems to have been a thawing in this attitude.

Walter PlingeMon, 3 May 2010, 02:00 pm

re doing outside shows, we

re doing outside shows, we have heard that also, but that as i see is our choice, and not their business, as long as my son can do both and he doesnt have anything else out side of school, then not up to them I would put my son into shows, as it can only help not hinder surley as they will put into good use what they learn at school, we did several shows, in a amateur theatre, and there were quiet a few young people in it, that also attended john curtin.it should be a parents choice, as to wether they do outside things but why should kids who do outside shows, be frowned upon when there are kids doing sports, ( which i would say would be more of a worry due to injuries ) having said that john curtin is not the end of the world, as said do local amateru theatre shows, attend dancing schls, you can still apply for waapa.

NaMon, 3 May 2010, 02:24 pm

There are legitimate

There are legitimate concerns to doing any extra-curricular activity that drains the energy (emotional and/or physical) of students. Just as you don't want your child doing too many activities and neglecting their studies, or being so over-tired the quality/quantity of their work drops, neither do the lecturers. Which is why they discourage participation in outside shows. (It is their business when they want to ensure your kid doesn't fail their classes, or when they don't turn up to rehearsal because of conflicting scheduling, etc. etc. And they probably have just as much concern about sports/jobs/whatever as they do about outside shows) Yes, it may be your/your child's choice, but it should be an informed one, and if you choose to do it, and then fail a class or fall asleep on a job, you should also accept the consequences. Most students underestimate how exhausting full-time acting study is and how doubly exhausting it is combining it with shows on the weekend, plus family life and other social responsibilities. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should. Your source for handmade shadow puppets at Puppets in Melbourne

SLEFri, 14 May 2010, 01:32 am

What colleges south of the river?

Hi! Can you name those colleges for me? I'm also south of the river - a long way south :) You can email me privately if you'd prefer otherwise let me know what other southern colleges have good reputations for performing arts programs.

thanks!

DFE

SLEFri, 14 May 2010, 01:36 am

Yay - you understood me :)

Hi Kimberley,

Seems you are the only person who knew what I meant :) I'm afraid I have offended some people unintentionally who think I have implied their kids got in via who they knew rather than talent - but that's far away from what was on my mind :)

Another of my meanings is getting info on the best schools for performing arts programs does often depend on who you know rather than what you know - I can read websites but what they say compared to real life experience testimonials can be 2 different things.

Anyhow, thank you for doing that!

DFE

SLEFri, 14 May 2010, 01:48 am

John Curtin - Waapa

My daughter does have an excellent vocal coach and she has a dance class happening etc. but the real problem is lack of opportunity down this way because the theatre groups tend to be a close knit bunch - you go to a regional play and generally always see the same faces... whole families are in it together sort of thing and are involved in the groups and behind the scenes. It's not like being in the city where you have more variety and don't have to travel more than an hour to reach somewhere.

And in addition to lack of opportunity which means then relying on a good school program, the school she is at currently is proving a very unpleasant experience for her. She's more mature than most year 8s and her interest in performing arts among the current year 8s makes her stand out even more and not in a positive way. She is being bullied, cyberbullied in and out of school - because "cool" kids hang around malls and skate parks, not school choirs and drama groups! (I'm being sarcastic :)

That's why I think John Curtin might be a good move for her IF I could get her in - not only has it a speciality program in the very subjects she is interested in, but I'm thinking chances are very good she'd meet lots of kids with similar interests in the arts and if the rest of the school also think of those students as uncool, well, at least she'll have plenty of company!

SLEFri, 14 May 2010, 01:52 am

reply to "migrum"

Thank you so much - this is wonderful information and advice - I very much appreciate it.

DFE

SLEFri, 14 May 2010, 02:19 am

Reply to What Does She Want to Do

She wants to act - in movies. She also wouldn't say no to a broadway musical :) (Dream big and have ambition - yes?) There is also a slight possibility she might lean towards Opera. So at the age of almost 13 (next month) she's keeping her options open and planning to broaden her skills - she doesn't have to decide right now...

We're in a country region and resources for experience and training are limited compared to what is available in the city and one hears such good things about WAAPA and the success of those who go through it, so naturally...

Thanks to someone elses post I have discovered WAYTCO and it isn't far from the train station so I've contacted them tonight.

At one level I do realize she doesn't have to go to John Curtin because she already has an excellent vocal coach, piano teacher and jazz ballet teacher BUT there is limited acting opportunities around here so being in a school which had a focus on the performing arts would make up for that lack PLUS she'd be with like minded kids. (She is currently bullied and cyber bullied and seen as uncool because she is one of only 2 year 8s in the entire senior school who is on the choir and interested in the drama group program. She shouldn't have to put up with that... I'm thinking a performing arts school wouldn't think an interest in performing arts was uncool, agreed? And there is that safety in numbers thing! :))

She is 13 next month and has been telling everyone she is going to be a performer ever since she was 4 years old and forced every visitor who came to the house to sit down while she sang and danced for them and did little skits :) She doesn't do that anymore, thank goodness, but the passion has not changed...

So she's looking to hone her skills with like minded people...

SLEFri, 14 May 2010, 02:30 am

JC and WAAPA reply for MusicalMum

She's a top academic student at her school (she attends a private school) and that PLUS her interest in performing arts gets her the wrong attention from school bullies. Instead of loving high school, she is hating it. I've described the situation in other replies on here...

She wants more opportunities to try out for musicals and plays and things but resources / groups are limited where we are, so we figured going to JC would give her that attention making up for the lack of opportunity here PLUS she would be with like minded students and not stand out.

She is 13 in a few weeks time so a bit soon to say what she wants to do at WAAPA. We know she wants to act and she also likes musical theatre and opera. She is a classically trained soprano (7 years training so far). She also studies piano. But I think at WAAPA she wants to study drama and take her vocals further - I guess she'll make her mind up when she's older and getting closer to that stage. Up until last year she had always wanted to be an opera singer!

At this stage its about having opportunities for experience and training and being with likeminded peers who share common interests and getting her out of her current school because their bullying policy is deplorable and has been for many years. When you put it all together, it explains why her focus is on JC... :)

SLEFri, 14 May 2010, 02:34 am

reply to alias

You misunderstood me - I wasn't implyhing anybody got in because they knew somebody :)

I'm in an outer region so out of touch that I need to know people who know things and not just rely on what I read on a website - nothing can beat firsthand experience, referrals, testimonials and expert advice :)

I was not aware you had to apply for JC the year before or even that there was a cut off date - I just assumed as it was a government school it would be like any other government school... my bad luck for checking the website one week after the closing date for applications. We don't get JC ads in our local papers where I live - the only info I have found out about it is from visiting their website.

I was hoping someone might say, yes there is an appeal system or a waitlist system or something... you don't know if you don't ask :)

Tom CampSat, 15 May 2010, 11:32 pm

I went to John Curtin,

I went to John Curtin, Auditioned got in for Drama. I found the course less then becoming when I first got in. Perhaps missing out in the first year is not such a bad thing although I imagine it will make it tougher to get in later. John Curtin was not the best school in terms of discipline and although I left early on I found that many of my former mates who were good actors got lost along the way. I ended up going to a private school which turned out good for me as I was disciplined well and my mind wasn't allowed to wander (the fact it was all boys also helped my attention). However that was just me. I think it's important the child makes the decision as I did. If you become overbearing the kid might lose interest if they think that your pushing them. But anyway back to acting I went to Guildford Grammar after JC where I was blessed with a pretty damn good drama teacher in Greg Jones and especially when I took TEE drama the work load grew and developed me pretty well. There are more options then you think. It's not a Wolf, It's an Alaskan Malamute.

SLESun, 16 May 2010, 02:17 am

reply to tom camp

thanks Tom - not a very positive outlook from you about JC...

Not sure what prompted your comment about being "overbearing" - my daugher makes her own decisions- I support her by giving her all the facts and going thru the pros and cons but the decision is always hers. I detest stage mothers - have met some shockers - my daughter tells me often how glad she is that I am nothing like them.

I don't think self discipline is going to be a problem for my daughter - she's never had probs in that area before.

So now I'm wondering if what you have posted should raise warning bells about JC in my head or if it was just you... :) (And I don't mean that in an insulting way!)

Walter PlingeSun, 16 May 2010, 02:55 pm

there are some good

there are some good comments on here about JC but if you want your daughter to go there its up to you to choose, you have nothing to lose really apply and if your daughter gets in, and finds she or you decide its not what you want you can pull out at least you would have tried, and not go thur life with the what ifs, My boy in his first year musical theatre, and loves it, just doesnt like the travel, LOL. but he wakes up looking forward to going to school he never was one for doing homework but hes so keen now, because he knows that if he doesnt do well with the academics they will not be allowed to do shows etc, ( so it works ) with regards to kids being friendly hes loving that to, hes never had so many friends, because they are all there for the same reason, to study the arts what ever it may be, musical theatre, as well as the others arts put shows on thru out the years, there is some out side schl days rehearsals, which we are doing now, on saturdays, so if you dont mind that and it doesnt clash we will continue to do outside things, that is my sons choice not mine but i agree its a matter fitting in and timing we decided that the next outside show we do, will be on during the jan schl holidays if you sit down and work things out , it can happen that you do both schl and outside, everything is just trial and error, try it dont work then dont go down that path why not give JC a phone call, and explain what you have said on here about living in country etc, and you never know they might be able to fit her in they are still holding auditions, for musical theatre, and drama, as some friends of mine are doing them soon give them a call, iam sure there are kids that come from differnt countrys or ever over east and they might be able to try if you dont ask youll never know give it a go

Tom CampMon, 17 May 2010, 12:40 am

No, no you misunderstand. I

No, no you misunderstand. I didn't say you were overbearing, that was more just a cautionary comment. Well good that's the way it should be I suppose. I mean JC was awesome and I think it's drama program is definitely as good as people say and you wont find one in the public school system that can rival it. The Academic side can be annoying I got into some G&T classes(for maths, science etc.) But I found in Soce and English where I wasn't in the top tier I was surrounded by people who like me would rather socialise then work which was bad. I was just not really ready for it and I did have discipline issues there. I had too much freedom in a system I did not enjoy so naturally it would lead to me abusing it. I was a student councilor and I had a lot of fun there. I did come across awfully negative now I look back. Yes it's a good school but like everything had it's issue. Me and it did not mix but for quiet a few people it was excellent. No school's ever going to lead to everyone succeeding but only your daughter will be able to tell if it's the right fit for her. Oh that's ok I can understand how you may have felt defensive after the appeared jibe of being overbearing. But yes that was the tale of JC for me. It was five years ago now, and they have recently become independent yes? so I imagine it's a vastly different landscape now. It's not a Wolf, It's an Alaskan Malamute.

Tom CampMon, 17 May 2010, 12:42 am

Exactly, applying late

Exactly, applying late would be no problem for them I imagine. As long as you justify it well and they haven't held the auditions already. It's not a Wolf, It's an Alaskan Malamute.

Tom CampMon, 17 May 2010, 12:44 am

Ah, I didn't read this

Ah, I didn't read this comment. I think that if she hates her high school she should move on. Enjoyment is key to doing well in school I think. It's not a Wolf, It's an Alaskan Malamute.

Walter PlingeMon, 28 June 2010, 11:35 am

Hey Tom, My daughter has

Hey Tom, My daughter has gone through the audition process this year for JC and just had the interview which went very well :-) Can you tell me more regarding the outside school hours required for performances etc. ie. when, where and how often. She is involved in a lot of outside school sports/etc and an idea of what we are in for would be helpful in advance. We did ask at the interview but the guy didn't have that information. Regards.

David HardieTue, 29 June 2010, 08:18 am

Response to 'Walter Plinge'

Through School of Instrumental Music I taught at JCCA for a number of years. There are a lot of good teachers there and a lot of good thing happening there and I don't want that to be forgotten. In specific answer to your question: My time there I saw a lot of students being called for what I saw as excessive hours of rehearsals. I honestly believed that if a professional production tried to call a student for these sort of hours they would have been in trouble with MEAA. It didn't happen every week, it didn't happen with every student but it was a problem. They may have changed their ways but a lot of the same people are still there.

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