Courses or Not

Ok.. let's say an individual doesn't make it into WAAPA or BAPA

really wants to do musical theatre

is that individual better off doing a pay as you go course or setting off for Sydney in the hope of getting work

Opinions fronm those that have been there and got the Tshirt please

oh, definitely don't go to sydney 'in the hopes' of getting a job. go if you get offered one, but don't go unless you are sure you can make some money. it's easier to move once you've gotten an agent, and are making some progress in the field. Also, you're going to have to compete with all those NIDA students, and WAAPA and BAPA graduates trying to make it too. Which means you will more than likely get passed over because you have no official training.

Funny, I was applying for work with a theatre company this week, just sending my CV in to see if there was anything going (although I'm a techie, it's the same principle), and even though I've done a course at Swinburne, it wasn't enough. I was told to go to VCA or NIDA and do a specific course there...because I seem to "untargeted" (their word, not mine)...Even techies get passed over for those with 'better' degrees.

I'm not saying that getting a degree is a bad thing, or getting multiple degrees, but don't go hopping to another state/city just 'in the hopes' of getting some work. Even us with degrees have a hard time doing it...My advice, keep working at it in your home town, find out if there is anybody you know or have contact with in sydney, find out how you would go about getting an agent there (if you don't have representation), and so on. And maybe think about how you're going to pay for the trip and living expenses.

Good luck!

Thanks

part of me always thought that was the case...
It's just a bit tougher when you live in Adelaide
I know we're the city of the Arts etc but there doesn't seem to be a lot of professional work avaiable

What you also have to remember that out of all the graduates for NIDA, WAAPA etc very few of them end up in work - you only ever hear about the lucky few. Music theatre in this country is going through a bit of a slump. Ten years ago there were 3 times as many shows and 3 times as much work, and variety of work. Now there are 20 times the amount of people competing and far less work. My agent ( who is int he top shelf of agents) took no-one from NIDA for the last two years. What I'm saying is that whether you do NIDA, WAAPA, VCA a private course or just move to sydney, its about your detirmination, talent and luck. You have to take a risk and follow your dreams. If you want security this career is not for you. If you're prepared to work your butt off and starve a bit then you may reap huge rewards. Look at all the courses, do your research, if you get rejected it means you have to find another way - it does not mean you don't have it. Whichever way there are no guarantees but it's a great and exciting journey.


All the best