Tuesday 21 May 2013

Not Getting In

Posted by 28 comments :
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This is something that all actors auditioning for drama school have to think about when it gets to this point in the process. Now I only have one school left and have an 80% chance of not receiving a place, I've had to seriously think about this next year and the worst outcome.

So what can you do?
  • If you have the means, and are adamant on doing some form of drama in the next year, you can always apply for foundation courses. Though not funded by student finance, they work brilliantly if you feel you want to be eased into drama school or what something to fill the gap year. However, applications must be handed in earlier on in the year - I think anyone considering it now might have missed the boat. On average, these courses cost roughly £10,000.
  • Attend as many auditions as possible. Just because you didn't get in to drama school it does not mean you have to drop off the face of the earth. When reapplying next year, they'll want to know that you didn't give up. Either look for open auditions or get an agent.
  • Get a full-time job. Just working for that one year could potentially pay off at least one year when you finally do go to drama school - looking from a financial perspective, it's the sensible thing to do.
  • Read up on different plays and writers, so that you can demonstrate an alive knowledge of theatre. This'll also help when you come round to choosing your new monologues.
  • Work on your weaknesses. Spend this year identifying what you did wrong and looking at your feedback (if you were provided with any *sigh*) so that you can work on them and improve. Take classes during the summer or over the weekends if you need the help. 
As for me, I think I'll be handing my CV in everywhere pretty soon.

28 comments :

  1. Anonymous26 May 2013 at 23:42

    Good luck with RADA and btw East 15 Certificate of Higher Education in Theatre Arts is funded

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  2. Shanley27 May 2013 at 00:19

    Thank you! I'm not really interested in East15!

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  3. Anonymous2 June 2013 at 23:41

    My daughter is on that course this year - they have only taken 4 of them onto the BA though - she's on the waiting list! Third year of applying - but her brother's in the second year f the BA and he took 3 years to get in!

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  4. Anonymous2 June 2013 at 23:42

    btw it's £9,000.00 for the year but covered by student loans and a really good course.

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  5. Hollie3 June 2013 at 17:06

    Hello heather! Can you recommend me any monologue books? Xxx

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  6. Shanley3 June 2013 at 18:14

    I'd say just pop into Waterstones or Foyles in Charing Cross for a large selection, and flick through all the monologue books. That's how I found mine! And then you're saving money if you can't find anything.

    But if you really want a book, this is the one my teacher gave me :)
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Young-Womens-Monologs-Contemporary-Plays/dp/1566080975/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

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  7. Anonymous4 June 2013 at 20:53

    Hey, I was at your final round RADA and am also under consideration for a place, would be super interested to know when you hear anything, the wait is killing me and you too I'm sure! Good luck x

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  8. Shanley4 June 2013 at 21:18

    Oh really?! That's great! Hopefully we should know in the next two weeks - sooner I hope!! You too x

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    Replies
    1. B18 June 2013 at 21:34

      Good luck good luck good luck!

      I've been reading EVERY rada post you've made- they have been so helpful and really calmed my nerves. I haven't had much experience whatsoever and everyone is discouraging me for trying for RADA as they "look for experience" do you think this is true?? Thanks again for the amazing posts!

      http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/birchbox-uk-june-2013.html

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    2. Shanley18 June 2013 at 21:50

      Thank you for reading! I'm glad I could help!
      I think that some drama schools do choose auditionees that have more experience than others. As for RADA, I have no experience whatsoever and I'm being considered for a place! As long as they know how devoted and talented you are, I don't see it being an issue! I'm proof of that!

      And as a side note, don't let anyone discourage you. This is your life. I wouldn't have dreamt in a million years that I would get a recall from RADA, let alone in to the finals! You will never know until you try. And if you don't, you'll regret it!

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    3. B19 June 2013 at 12:08

      Honestly, thank you! It's really unfortunate that some schools do this- some people (me!) don't have many oppurtunites to get experience. However, I think it's great that RADA are being so fab about it!

      Thank you, Heather. That's exactly how i've been feeling and it's nice to know i'm not just being a naive little 17 year old dreaming that i can get in. If I do get in with any of the auditions i do next year i will put a lot of it down to your blog. It has been so helpful and you've applied to all the places, except bristol old vic, that i'm applying for so it's nice to have some background!


      Thank you thank you thank you again! Fingers crossed for RADA, i hope they read your blog so they can see how passionate you are about everything they do (hopefully it'll help push them in the right direction too haha!). Can't wait to see your result x

      Delete
  9. Anonymous19 June 2013 at 08:35

    When are you going to find out if you were accepted at RADA?

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous19 June 2013 at 08:38

      By the way, you had a great idea with this blog... I didn't find information about how RADA auditions and workshops are held on any site.....

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    2. Shanley19 June 2013 at 11:16

      They have already begun to hand out places so it should be very soon. And thank you. I couldn't find anything at all and it really frustrated me so here we are!

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    3. Anonymous19 June 2013 at 12:40

      Whichever their response is, let us know!!! I think all the readers of your blog are eager to find out if you've finally been accepted at RADA, or not...

      Personally, I discoverd your blog yesterday night and couldn't stop reading it... I had spent about 2 hours (from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m.) reading with avidness all these exciting short stories before I went to bed...

      I wish to attend a RADA audition, but probably next year... How fast were you informed about your first audition date and time after you had sent your application? Did it take more than two weeks?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous19 June 2013 at 14:55

      By the way, do you know if someone who starts BA Acting at RADA can apply for a tution fee loan from Student Finance to cover the full £9,000 fee?

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    5. Shanley20 June 2013 at 16:07

      I will let you all know as soon as I hear. And thank you very much for reading haha! I got my preliminary audition date fairly quickly. I can't remember the exact period but it was somewhere along the lines of two weeks. And yes, RADA is covered by student finance for the full fee :)

      Delete
  10. Anonymous20 June 2013 at 14:29

    Hi Heather, great blog. I am in exactly the same position as you, having completed my 4th round and had the ''considered'' letter, I wondered if you knew if they had handed out all the places yet or not?

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  11. Shanley20 June 2013 at 16:09

    Cool! Were you at my fourth round on the 11th May? I saw someone tweet to say they had an offer, so yes they've started handing out places. Best of luck x

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  12. Anonymous20 June 2013 at 18:35

    There's at least 18 places thatbhave been handed out :( ahhh how much longer!!

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    Replies
    1. Shanley20 June 2013 at 18:41

      How do you know? Oh my gosh :(

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    2. Anonymous20 June 2013 at 20:28

      18? Gaadd how do you know? Realistically do you reckon theres any left? This waiting is the worst

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  13. Anonymous20 June 2013 at 19:16

    Is there a deadline? I mean, are you going to be announced by a certain date or something? And are they going to announce you even if they don't offer you a place?

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    Replies
    1. Shanley20 June 2013 at 19:33

      All I know is that the deadline to accept a place is July 1st.

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    2. Anonymous20 June 2013 at 19:52

      So if you don't hear anything from them in 10 days, does it mean you didn't get in?

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    3. Shanley21 June 2013 at 02:18

      I assume so..

      Delete
  14. Anonymous21 June 2013 at 12:27

    There's a closed group on Facebook people get invited to when they are in 'acting rada 2013-2016' it has 18 members

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  15. Anonymous21 June 2013 at 13:26

    Got my no letter today. Gutting

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Thank you for commenting - it means a lot to me when I hear feedback. I will try to reply as quickly as possible!

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