Studying Drama/Performance in Melbourne

Hello All, I am living in Perth at the moment but am looking into going over to Melbourne next year to study drama and/or performance studies. I was wondering if anyone would be able to recommend any universities over there that are good for studying performance and provide wide experiences? I know about VCA, but I've already done some drama units at a university here in Perth and I was hoping to be able to use the credit points towards the course I decide to do and I know I probably can't do that at VCA, I will have to start from scratch. Any recommendations, whether from personal experience or word of mouth, would be much appreciated! You can reply to this post or email me personally at jhourquebie@hotmail.com Thank you, Jules.

It depends on what you want to do: NMIT and Swinburne offer a course (they are similar, but not the same) which covers both acting and tech, as well as other subjects like playwrighting, etc. Swinburne also offers the chance to do puppetry and circus arts components. Deakin, Monash (and RMIT?) offer straight acting courses. NICA offers just straight circus skills. I went to Swin, and recommend it; I know someone who is currently studying there and is enjoying it. However, Monash's course is well known and others recommend it, and the same goes for Deakin (Deakin doesn't have as great a rep as Monash). I've you've already done a lot of drama at uni, you might not want the first two... but then, pretty much with any course you'll be rehashing at least some of the classes. I would look into VCA anyway; I've not heard of them not accepting 'credits'. Though they wouldn't count credits (I assume), they'd still take into account that you've already studied drama at uni; that's how many people get into VCA, since Melbournians often study somewhere else first and get into VCA later. (I know of a graduate from Swin who did that) Finger puppet pattern for under $4 at Puppets in Melbourne

Hi there, VCA is definately worth a look in it's a very good school if you are looking to train in melbourne. the experience and then help you get once you have finished is key. No they do not accept credits like a normal university course, IF you get in you are signing up for THREE full years - you cant get credits for the units to knock time off the degree - however any previous experience will help you get in. Most students studying at VCA have done part or a whole degree before hand - and they all study for the full three years.

i dont get it. so if you apply for vca, do you need experience in the drama/performing arts field? or have it studied during your vce years? i want to get back into performing arts. but after i finished high school in 06 i studied design for the years to now. but i'm thinking of deferring design to get back into drama. what should i do?

VCA will not accept you if you haven't had some form of experience, whether it be at school, professionally, or in the amateur world. Because it's very competitive to get in, more than two of those options is probably necessary. Don't expect to get in if you have no experience. If you're worried, there are other courses available around the country that are less strict: but they will all expect you to have at least a little experience in theatre. What should you do? I don't know... that's up to you. You don't really say what background you have. Furry puppet eyes for your next build at Puppets in Melbourne