Performing Arts: No business like show business
Passion, stamina, and intellectual rigour are vital in the performing arts, says Virginia Matthews
Published: 04 December 2006
There are few career options nowadays open to school leavers who don't
feel moved to complete a college course or go to university, but performing
arts is perhaps one sector where enthusiasm, attitude and sheer talent are
still more important than academic achievement.
Whether a love of the limelight was triggered by a school theatre club or an
amateur dramatics troupe, it is still possible to don the greasepaint and
become a performer on stage, screen, TV - or, of course, cruise ships -
without first having studied for a trio of A-levels.
As befits
this most individual of career choices, the options of training provider
range from top drama schools, such as RADA, to universities and
privately-run theatre schools.
Janet Devenish is deputy principal
at the Bedford-based Stella Mann Dance and Drama school. She believes that "
determination, physical stamina and passion" are the three key
requirements for any would-be performer.
While the 100 or so
students at this privately-run FE college emerge, after three years
full-time study, with a national diploma in professional musical theatre or
musical dance - equivalent to a Level 6 NQS or vocational degree - Devenish
stresses that would-be performers need to perform, not be hunched over books:
"When we ask our students to research West Side Story, we may well ask
them to look at the career of Leonard Bernstein, but at least 80 per cent of
the course will be practical.
"Our students come from
ballroom, ballet or disco, or combine singing with dancing, but we are
always looking for raw talent."
Although show business
careers are open to people of all ages and backgrounds, those who combine
the ability to entertain with intellectual rigour are likely to last longer,
according to Anne Prince, editor of the influential UK Guide to Performing
Arts:
"For those who want to make a name by appearing in a
show like Big Brother, it's safe to say that qualifications don't really
matter - this sort of celebrity status is fairly easy come, easy go and it
doesn't tend to last very long.
"But if you want to turn a
love of dancing into a career as a choreographer later on, or would like to
progress from acting to running your own theatre company some day, then a
good qualification is worth its weight in gold."
Most
reputable drama schools have relationships with talent agencies who have the
contacts to kick-start a career in performing arts. While it is still
possible, as a novice, to attend an open audition for a West End show and
secure a contract on the back of it, actors or singers with the backing of
an established school or agent find the process far easier.
The
very many and diverse role in performing arts - acting, dance, music or
musical theatre - tend to fall into two categories; either behind or in
front of the camera.
While the front-of-house roles as actor,
singer, dancer or comedian remain the most difficult to break into - How Do
you Solve A Problem Like Maria? gave a glimpse of how many people want to
pursue a career in musical theatre - it is the behind-the-scenes, technical
roles that offer far more scope.
From arts administrator, stage
set or props designer to lighting technician, director, sound engineer,
makeup artist, stunt artist or wardrobe assistant, the opportunities to
entertain others, while not actually being seen, are far greater away from
the spotlight.
Full BA courses in theatre studies or performing
arts are available at some of the best-known universities in the country,
but there are also a wide range of HND and foundation degree qualifications
in this area.
Professor Steve Dixon, head of the school of arts at
Brunel University believes that the skills learned on a university music or
drama course are "highly transferable."
"Would-be
performers have excellent team working and communication skills," he
says. "For those students who don't make it in acting, PR, media and
even banking and finance have all proved to be very enthusiastic recruiters."
Choosing the best college or university course may, says Prince, be a matter
of identifying a top performer and working back:
"If there's
an actor or singer you particularly admire, it's worth researching his or
her background and finding out where they trained. Performers already known
to the public are the very best advertisement for the drama school or
university they attended."
Case Study
Rachelle Glover, 22, graduated from Stella Mann last July with a diploma in
musical theatre. She is a singer with an all-girl pop band - Fallen Angelz -
and hopes to sign her first record deal within six months.
"
I've been dancing since I was two and have always loved ballet, tap and
disco. As a child, I danced regularly in big theatre shows, but it's always
been my dream to dance in the West End.
I did my qualification
because I want to be able to teach in the future; it also taught me a lot
about the entertainment business. My parents paid for the course because
they believe in me and they know how much I care about my career.
We formed Fallen Angelz last November and since then we've been at lots of
different gigs, singing with people like Simon Wells and Chico. We've met
loads of producers, songwriters and agents and we're already getting
ourselves known to the public.
I really want to sing and make pop
videos and I think drive is almost as important as talent in this business.
I really admire Michael Jackson for his dancing skills and the Spice Girls
for their guts and determination, but Fallen Angelz has a very unique sound.
When we sign our first record deal and I get on TOTP, I'll know I'm on my
way. "
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