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Help please.. especially WAAPA< NIDA< CPA students

Sat, 27 Sept 2003, 05:51 pm
Clint26 posts in thread
My daughter is currently studying year 10 (year 11 drama)
She is working a lot in amateur theatre (musical theatre and drama)and is getting paid to sing solo at al festivals carols etc...
She currently takes private dance, singing and music theory lessons
She has won acting and singing scholarships

However...

we feel we have reached a watershed and need to decide some things NOW to assist in possible entry to WAAPA, NIDA or CPA

The school she is at provides dance, drama and music to year twelve..
but lately has had trouble keeping teachers.... this of course varies the quality of her education a lot...

we are trying to decide;

whether to attend a recognised PA school (which would mean a lot more travelling and cut down on productions and private lessons)

remain where we are and pursue the same avenue

do a 2 year PA course in Adelaide (but subjects other than dance/drama have to be open access study)

switch to a recognised private school (which again cuts down time for productions and private training)

soooooo

if there is an answer to this

which carries the most weight??

Examination certificates ie level 4 music theory / voice

Experience in large productions with large roles

A recognised school

or a fulltime performing arts course


We need to make the switch soon

any advice gratefully appreciated

Clint

My thoughts! - I'll give it a bash.

Fri, 17 Oct 2003, 06:48 pm
If i was given a dollar for everytime I read a post about this topic....

The problem is - everyone is right. The arguments FOR and AGAINST dramatic institutions are valid.

It really depends on the person you are.

Julianne - You've named 5-8 people who've graduated from NIDA/WAAPA/VCA. But how about the other 14-18 people in the same class of those people? NIDA/WAAPA/VCA may get you an agent in the eastern states but it doesn't guarantee steady work.

I've actually met a lot of those graduates and you'll find most are involved in other aspects of theatre/film. Many are great directors and writers. Peter Kingston, Reg Cribb, Bill McCluskey and Jeremy Sims come immediately to mind. Annie-Murtagh Monks also is a NIDA graduate.

What I love about Perth's theatre scene is that you'll find many of our artists are involved in not just one aspect of theatre - they're not all just actors. I know I am making a general assumption that all the people on this thread are aspiring to be JUST actors but I'd still would like to mention that if you truly want to immerse yourself in theatre....maybe go out and write material...or learn to rig lights or take up some work experience in arts marketing....learn, learn learn.

I'm an Asian actor in Perth and I probably know first-hand how difficult it is to get regular paid work as an actor but I'm finding it just as fulfilling creatively AND financially helping out as a stage manager on a show or doing publicity for another.

Anyways...thats my two cents.

Oh, one way to improve your craft as an actor...go out to a cafe, buy a coffee, read a play you haven't read before and WATCH PEOPLE as they go by. You've got all your DRAMA and CHARACTERISATION that you need in front of you.

.... ok so it sounds a bit naff and a bit idealistic and stuff but its nice to think of LIFE that way.

But isn't that what THEATRE is generally all about?


Crispy :)

Thread (26 posts)

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