Going to study drama at a higher level is a big decision to make, especially when it's about 3 years and around 27000£ in total. Either it's Drama School or University, both can be good choices for studying Performing Arts, but obviously, they have advantages and disadvantages. Many actors may be confused about Universities and Drama Schools because they don't know what is the difference between them. Even though it may not look like, there's a big difference between the two ones. In a few paragraphs below, I'll be showing my point of view about the differences between studying a drama course at University or going to Drama School.
All the actors should know that getting into a Drama School is not easy. The reason why it's so hard to get in is that there's a very big competition. There are lots of people outside who want just the same as I do, to follow their dream and get a degree in drama at the same time. Maybe that's the reason why some actors don't even try to audition. But who wouldn't want to be a part of the acting classes where students play and take risks, improvise, use their imagination, work collaboratively, perform in front of the class, create shapes and learn how to use their voices for three years and to get a degree from that? Acting school is a safe place to push one's boundaries, develop the range, and discover yourself as an actor. It also requires a deal of risk, experimentation, and failure.
What some students might not like about Drama Schools is that it includes all-day training from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. The actors are expected to do their homework in their free time, which leaves no time for personal life, part-time jobs or auditions outside the school. This can be very challenging for some students but if you truly enjoy it, you can't find it hard. Some people would choose to go to a university just to experience "a real student life" and maybe to have a part-time job so they can pay their fees.
Here are some more advantages and disadvantages of training in a Drama School:
ADVANTAGES
- It has the highest degree in Performing Arts
- Amazing training for actors
- Higher chances to get noticed by an agent
- Opportunities for meeting people in the industry
- Gives you higher chances to get into the industry
- You learn breathing techniques, improvisation, and scene movement
- Physical training
- Voice exercises
DISADVANTAGES
- Not easy to get accepted
- Busy schedule which gives you less free time
- No time for auditions outside the School or any jobs
I am pretty sure that many actors have thought at least once about how going to University would be an easier way to get a degree in Performing Arts. Well, like I said about Drama School, there are advantages and disadvantages in going to study drama at a University as well. One of the things that I personally don't like is that the drama courses at universities are more in theory than in physical work. They have more an academic approach to teaching. The courses are mostly based on drama theory, history of theatre, dramatic analysis or writing essays. Generally speaking, these degrees are more catered towards students interested in working in the theatre industry, but not necessarily wants to become professional actors. It appears that universities don't equip you with sufficient acting skills.
Even though there are so many famous actors who don't have any degrees, as an actor, I believe that performers can always learn new techniques to improve themselves, either it is in a Drama School or University. Also, the competition these days is very big so an acting degree might give you one step forward for jobs in the industry.
For me, through acting my imagination is channelled through taking on different characters. This is one thing I love about drama, and by studying the theory of it, I certainly don't believe that this can happen.
Here are some other advantages and disadvantages of training at a University:
ADVANTAGES
- Not a lot of homework
- Easier to get accepted
- Having a chance to experience "a student's life"
DISADVANTAGES
- Too much theory
- The degree might be worthless in the industry
- Same cost as Drama School
- The theory doesn't help you to perform
My final thoughts are that going to a Drama School is what I think is the best for me. I don't really find myself in studying the theatre and the techniques more than practising. It took me a while to understand that this how I want to spend my future but I strongly believe that when you enjoy something it can't be hard to do. Even though there is the possibility of being in school for 9 hours and then to home and start doing projects for perhaps 6 more hours. I enjoy performing and it is certainly the way I want to spend my future no matter what.
No comments:
Post a Comment