GSA Theatre and performance?

Hello again! Ive just heard back from GSA and I have been rejected from the Acting course however have been offered theatre and performance instead? I primarily want to perform and learn practically rather than academically, however I’m not sure whether to go for it? What’s the course like? Can you still go for acting from it?

Thanks again!!!

People can be successful actors via many routes, but you need to maximize your chances. And for that, I would suggest you would do better with a specialised Acting course. I'm not an actor myself but I've seen a lot of theatre performed by people ranging from those on Drama degrees to those at Rada and Lamda. The latter groups are far, far better overall.

A question though... Is this your first year applying?

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Hello!! Thank you for your opinion it’s good to hear from a non biased perspective!! It’s obviously a fantastic school but I’m thinking the same, whilst it would benefit me in some ways it wouldn’t benefit the way an acting course would, just tempting to shoe horn myself into choosing it for the sake of avoiding a year out in case recalls don’t go the way I hope. It is my first year!!

In that case I definitely suggest rejecting their offer and reapplying next year. It is very, very common for successful applicants to top drama schools to take two or three attempts to get in.

One example is a TSR user who used to blog about her experiences:
https://aspiringactresssite.wordpress.com
Unfortunately she hasn't updated it in a while (probably the 40-hour contact weeks at Lamda!) and no longer posts on TSR. I will probably see her perform next autumn in one of her third-year productions but I won't know who she is!

There are plenty of similar blogs out there.

Oh, and the fact that GSA offered you the alternative course probably means they don't think you're completely useless!!! 😂

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Oooo thank you I’ll have a look at what she has to say, yeah definitely will try again if this year doesn’t work out, ahaha awww well even not knowing who she is you know you helped someone there!! It’s better than a rejection that’s for sure 😂
Thank you so much for your help!! X

One last thought... Acting requires dedication as well as talent. Anyone who gives up after one round of knock-backs perhaps lacks the necessary dedication?

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Oooo thank you I’ll have a look at what she has to say, yeah definitely will try again if this year doesn’t work out, ahaha awww well even not knowing who she is you know you helped someone there!! It’s better than a rejection that’s for sure 😂
Thank you so much for your help!! X

The theatre and performance course is much more focused on creating new performance work than acting. There are acting technique modules each year that will train you in acting/voice and share tutors with the BA Acting,

Acting: Actor and Character (Year 1)
Acting: Performing the Self (Year 2)
Acting: Advanced Practice (Year 3)

However, a lot of the showcase work is devised drama. The end-of-year production for both second and third year's are original performance work devised by students (Theatre Laboratory and Theatre Company) rather than performing repertoire; as with the BA Acting. It still gives you scope to go and do a master (MA) course in acting or musical theatre if you want, as the course doesn't narrow it down to any one type of theatre.

In terms of academics, the first year is balanced 50/50 and in the second and third year, it's up to you to choose practical or theoretical modules. The theory is about understanding what makes performance tick in order to be able to apply your learning to your own performance practice – again, looking at the past to create the future of performance.

It's a much more collaborate/devised way of working than rigorous actor training. It just depends on what route you want to take to enter the industry.

Hope this helped.

Hi Dramahopeful,

I also applied for GSA Acting and haven't heard back yet. Did you do a recall audition? If you did, what was it like? Or did they offer you the other course after your first audition?

Thanks for replying so quickly.
I think you did the right thing by turning down the other course, stick to your guns for as long as possible.
That's what I intend to do.
Best of luck!