I have a few questions

I've done quite a bit of research concerning West End and musical theatre universities in London, but I'm afraid I'm still not at the point of knowledge that I'd like to be at. So if anyone has any knowledge of auditiong in West End and how universities can help, conservatories, etc.., please pm me and I'll give you my questions. I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

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No no that's what I meant, as in, universities with a musical theatre program. I'm sure that, as you say, there is a different attitude towards conservatory graduates, but I don't think a conservatory is right for me. I want to do musical theatre for my living, but I want to learn other things as well. As far as my research goes, the only university I've found that can do both is Halloway (sp?). On the other hand, a friend of mine who used to study abroad said that in London, musical theatre programs at schools that aren't conservatories aren't really worth the time.

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SallyBrown, your friend is probably right- looking at programme bios (after all they refer to the people who actually get emplyed), the vast majority come from the conservatoire's- Mountview, Central, GSA, LSMT, ArtsEd etc etc- the proportion from Universities is very small.

Perhaps snobbery was the wrong word- but generally speaking in the profession, you're training may be thought of as less valuable if it was at a university rather than a conservatoire. MT is not a career you can do half-assedly, if you really want to do it, then go all-out, and you probably have the best chance of actually getting jobs (and im sorry, but thats what counts) by going to a conservatoire- even before they see you audition, casting directors will see a conservatoire on your cv and may put you on the 'for audition' pile, whereas someone with the same or similar experience and abilities from a university may get put on the 'no phone call' pile. I was at a talk with Simon Reade (artistic director of the Bristol Old Vic) in November, and he confirmed this. Its definately not fair, but it is certainly a reasonably widespread reality and is something that does go on.

Updated On: 7/7/06 at 11:12 AM

Never underestimate the power of networking in this profession.

Indeed- im in the UK, but have visted NYC often. As ever, there are different view points either side of the pond- and im sure there are exceptions to these views as well.

Ive noticed when ive been in NYC that the majority of performers (from playbill bios) come from a university with a musical theatre program.

Youve also go to bear in mind that the whole education system over here is arranged differently as well.

There are VERY few (in fact, i cant think of any) Uni's that have a specifically musical theatre course. Many have drama or performing arts courses, but if you want a specifically musical theatre-based course, then a conservatoire is the place to go.

You might want to look at http://www.drama.ac.uk/