CentralBoy

I just wanted to mention, LIPA is not a hugely rated school and doesn't, as far as I'm aware, have the contact hours of some of the others. It's Acting course is also not accredited by the aforementioned NCDT. A point to note - the NCDT accredits courses, not schools. One school, Central for example, has a number of courses that suit accrediation, accredited. Many of their courses aren't.

CentralBoy

More thoughts, as I re-read WallyWorld's post . . .

It is *very* rare for you to do any public performances before the end of your second year. It is more usual not to be shown to the public 'til the third year. Student-directed productions etc. are not encouraged or provided for. Most schools are very strict about this, and it's very hard to gain permission to do any work outside of school during your three years, even during holidays, without the express prior consent of your Head of Acting or somesuch.

As far as I can tell, most schools want your training to be a safe, nuturing environment, without the burden of making your work presentable to the public. They want you to be comfortable and confident in your working practises before going out in front of people, and you have the luxury of making mistakes in private, with only the constructive criticism of your tutors.

However, the vast majority of the work is practically based and almost always leads to an in-house showing, so you'll still perform to an audience of some description

CentralBoy

Final post. These are some of the alumni of the aforementioned 'Top 6' schools (I'd go along with that list, though if you want my *personal opinion* of the schools in order, I'll post it).

RADA: Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, Kenneth Brannagh, Fiona Shaw, Alan Rickman, Juliet Stevenson

Guildhall: Ewan MacGregor, Damian Lewis, Orlando Bloom

LAMDA: Jim Broadbent, Clare Higgins, John Lithgow

Drama Centre: Paul Bettany, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth

Bristol Old Vic: Daniel Day-Lewis, Jeremy Irons, Miranda Richardson, Patrick Stewart, Peter O'Toole

Central: Judi Dench, Joss Ackland, Alun Armstrong, Vanessa Redgrave, Laurence Olivier, Zoe Wanamaker, Gael Garcia Bernal

ckp

This is all great info, thanks. I really want to do a summer intensive in london. I've been thinking about that a lot since I found out I don't have to research undergrad (this is when I do my "didn't get cut" dance) and I was just curious if they were up to the same par as the regular program.

Any info would be great. I'm thinking that I will try for it in 2 years (next summer I'm going to try for theatre internships here in chicago). Does anyone know about these program? Thanks

CentralBoy

Ignoring the obvious problem that these courses are only a number of weeks in length, the actual teaching and content of them is generally of a very high standard. Depending on the school, they are either run by full-time college tutors, regular college guest tutors or tutors hired specifically for the course, but vetted thoroughly by the school (or a mixture of all three).

RADA and Central's courses are regarded highly, but, generally, you'll do well on any of them run by schools whose acting courses are accredited by the aforementioned NCDT.

ckp

Thanks CentralBoy!

I can only do a program that is a couple of weeks in length because I am already in a BFA program in the states, and it doesn't offer a semester abroad, so I am trying to find a way that I can go some other time.

Thanks again!

CentralBoy

Courses seem to vary in length from a week to six weeks, and offer everything from Shakespeare to audition technique. Take a gander at the schools' websites, they usually promote their summer schools a lot (because they make quite a bit of money ), and you should find something to suit. Good luck!

fishbowlfreshman

Very interesting stuff about the UK schools, but nobody tried to answer Kaylyn’s question …

I think sound design and stage management is usually part of a Design/Tech degree though I could be wrong since I’m just a dumb, self-absorbed actress that takes you guys for granted … Anway, there was some discussion of NC schools for that on the MT forum here. I'd definitely check out NCSA, Elon, UNC Greensboro, and ECU. In Georgia, you might want to see if Savannah College of Art and Design has something you’d like. In SC, the College of Charleston seems to be the only school with undergraduate theatre worth mentioning. If you want to look as far north as Virginia, check out the Shenandoah Conservatory and Virginia Commonwealth which I think might have a BFA. In general, I think I’d stay away from state schools with MFAs because you’d likely end up serving as a handmaiden to them. Hope this helps!

Plaidman

Greetings,

Since K has asked about schools in the Southeast, I might be able to help. For Stage Management, NCSA is outstanding. They also have an excellent Sound Design Program. It should be your first choice. However, I do not how how the programs cross over and John Toia at NCSA would give you the straight scoop.

Plaidman

stacey_ga

B.S or B.A in theatre? Does it really matter?

fishbowlfreshman

Stacey,
I could be wrong here, but I think the difference between a B.S. and a B.A. is that a higher percentage of your degree will be in theatre-related courses with more required advanced or in-depth coursework in all areas with the B.S. (sometimes called a "Generalist" degree) while you may just be required to take some intro-level courses in a B.A. and specialize or generalize with electives. I think the way to test this would be to check out the curriculums for several B.S. programs and compare them to several other B.A.s. I'd do it, but I don't have time right now.

stacey_ga

well at northwestern the only difference is that for a B.A you have to fulfill the foreign language requirement. I guess what i'm trying to ask is whether or not employers prefer a B.A to a B.S?

doctorjohn

Stacey:

There is absolutely no consistency to the use of BA (Bachelor of Arts) and BS (Bachelor of Science) around the country. At some schools, the BA has a stiffer foreign language requirement, and the BS a stiffer mathematics requirement. At others, the BA is awarded to certain majors (English, for example) and the BS to others (Biochemistry, for example). Some schools only award a BA. In Theatre, employers aren't going to pay attention to the difference.

Hope this helps.

stacey_ga

thanks that was really helpful.

dagan

I currently train at what is considered to be one of the top tier of schools on a "ba acting" course in the U.K… however after a year of perseverance, I don’t think it’s the right school to continue at– a personal thing- and im going to re-audition for a transfer to a few places in the u.s.- not to mention other uk schools- for entry in ‘O7…I understand I will have to start as a freshman once again.

I have emailed a few places already, but if anyone can give me a lowdown on what the difference is between the training in the U.S. – CMU, Juilliard, NCSA, B.U and training in the U.K. LAMDA, RADA, Drama Centre, Guildhall etc….that would be great. In anyones experience are my chances bettered after having one year at a drama school, I dont think I can judge my own awareness of what is good and what is not good!
Thanks

D