Whats Happened to Brent Street

Right,

I'm only going to post one thing on this site... as these kind of discussions often get long, drawn out and rediculous... so here we go.

Brent Street may have suffered from some problems late towards the end of last year. That is a valid comment and accepted by the general populas.

However, the artistic side of the school never faulted.

The kids that they are turning out of that institution at present is absolutely amazing. The High School kids alone would rival the standard of some of those who 'call themselves' professionals.

Let's start talking about ED5, shall we? I was in the audience the night their full time course graduated. And the only word that springs to mind is amateur!!! The standard is well below that of what it should be for people supposedly being ready for the professional industry and no, I am not talking about cruise ships... I am talking about the PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY. I'm sure the students are lovely and everyone has a very pleasant time. I did not however, see a single student that graduated from that course show any passion or intensity or hunger for what they were doing. But they danced to an adequate fourteen year old standard. There was no sex appeal... no fire, nothing that drew the experienced audience member in. They did however look like they were having a 'pleasant' time on stage.

As for the Brent Street graduation not only were there vocalists who could *GASP* sing in key but had fantastic ability and amazing stage presence but there were, without a doubt... some of Australia's up and coming stars... if of course Australia had the industry to back up the talent it is producing. Routines were mature and professional. When you watch a routine at the end of a full time course you should expect to see dancers that you simply can't take your eyes off, I saw many of those graduate from Brent Street... and not one from ED5. You want to leave a course being able to walk directly into a professional situation... not have a choreographer BEGGING you to be more sexy or dance more maturely.

The quality of teachers at Brent Street are still the best that the industry can offer. Yes, people do come and go from the teaching staff as they are actually working professionals... who of course, value their career. When they have to leave for work, they are replaced by teachers of just as high a standard. Whether they graduated in 1995 or 2004, the vast majority have professional musical theatre to their credit as well as corporate and commercial. And at the end of the day every teacher has something to offer a student, whether or not a student decides to absorb that experience and that knowledge is completely up to them.

Which brings us to another point, that no... Brent Street is not the right place for everyone. And yes, some people do get lost in the crowd but welcome to the real world, not everyone can be a star. At the start of the year people are accepted into the course because the audition panel, which comprises of vastly experienced professionals, can see a potential in that person. Whether or not at the end of the year that potential is realised... well... they still learnt something. That's true of any school, no matter the size or financial state. The people who did realise their potential are the ones going out into the industry today armed with what they have learnt and are the ones getting legitimate work.

Full time this year is only comprising of fifty students and the move to Fox Studios is something that is being done to benefit not only the students of full time, but of the High School and the Dance School. The money woes of Brent Street are in the past and just because the artistic and creative side of the company is always pushing boundaries and moving to new levels, every aspect of the business cannot be perfect and yes, mistakes are made... people are human. Mistakes are made to be learnt from and ultimately that creates a better company.

The main reason there are people who feed off the rumours without really knowing what is going on is because this country suffers from a very serious case of tall poppy syndrome. Brent Street has always been at the top for what it offers to students. People can go to another institution like ED5 where they will be treated pleasantly and probably have a lovely experience and that's fine. And to those who are 'worried' about going to Brent Street for full time... it's best that you have some perspective on each course and what YOU will get out of them, because when the two schools are compared... well there really is no comparison.

To all the students who are starting Brent Street full time this year and might read this... you will have an intense and emotional year full of challenges and triumphs. I personally believe that to survive in this industry you have to go through and slog out an intense year and not just have a 'lovely time' doing jete's down the corner with a smile on your face. There should be passion, anger, love and a handful of other emotions that will ultimately make you a better performer. Full timers will experience this.

This is also the opinion of an past student, not a teacher who is no longer on the faculty and subsequently teaching at a lesser school with a bag of chips on their shoulder. A student who LOVED their year at Brent Street and has had an amazing ride sinse graduating... a ride I never would have had if it wasn't for the amazing teachers that are exclusive to Brent Street, hey... no matter how dirty the floors are!!! :o) Who ever said that you shouldn't be gettin a little dirty when you dance anyways.

Later...