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Finding the right training for whichever area of the performing arts you have a passion for is essential.
There are many factors to consider - what level of course to study, which subject, is the training practical, is it the right location, can you get funding? These are important questions when starting out, but it's equally important to think about what will happen after you've completed training. In such a notoriously difficult industry, help from your training provider in the early stages of your career could make all the difference.
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UKP-Arts visited the Market Theatre in Hertfordshire, who run a one-year acting and singing course, and spoke to Artistic Director Kirk Foster about the many ways they ensure their students are prepared for the reality of the performing arts industry.
Professional training in a professional environment
With over 30 years' experience of training in the industry, Kirk Foster is well aware of how big a part training providers need to play to help their students succeed. He is also a published playwright and runs the popular Market Theatre, which means he understands fully the importance of the commercial aspect of a creative environment.
"Our students see a different approach to theatre - they see themselves as a business," says Kirk. "What is special about the course is that it is run in, and by, a professional theatre - it is professional training in a professional environment. This also means we are able to offer job opportunities, both on and off the stage, for students and graduates of our course."
For many actors working in the industry, earning an additional income whilst waiting for the next performing role is the reality of their working life. Unfortunately these 'day jobs' are often unrelated to their performing career and so tend not to contribute towards their continued professional development. At the Market Theatre, Kirk and the rest of the team have a variety of different solutions to this problem.
"We make sure that the students are well equipped with the ability to combine their skills with a creative and commercial approach to developing their career. As well as the opportunity to work for the Theatre we also run a kids club which means students can experience teaching work too," explains Kirk. He also helps the students by writing 'one-handers' (a piece for a single performer) which they can use as part of their portfolio. They can also use the piece for a six-week run at the Theatre - they don't get paid - but can then use the play for the next two years to do their own tour. Ex-students are also able to use the Theatre's rehearsal space free of charge and this, along with the Theatre's close proximity to London, creates a useful environment for learning from and networking with other actors."
Training for a career
"In keeping with this practical ethos, the one-year course at the Market Theatre has been tailored to meet industry needs. There is no age limit for those applying but the course is mainly aimed at a postgraduate level and upwards, and has a strong emphasis on acting and singing. "The course content is approximately 60 per cent acting and 40 per cent singing. We do teach our students a certain amount of dance - enough to be able to go to an audition and show a producer they can quickly pick up a routine. The reality is there are not a large number of jobs in musical theatre, especially for those in their late teens / early twenties so we teach our students to use their acting skills in other areas - from TIE (Theatre in Education) through to Shakespeare and No?l Coward. Restricting your employment options solely to the area of musical theatre will not help your long-term career prospects," Kirk warns.
Audition reality
On the topic of auditions, another useful and very practical part of the course is the chance to take part in 'mock auditions'. On the day, we sat in with Jo Croydon-Foster and actress Jacqueline Roberts, who were putting students through their paces to show them the reality of the audition process. Jo explained: "We try to make the experience as authentic as possible. Students perform a piece of rehearsed drama; we then ask them to perform it in a different way, as a director may want to see that an actor has the skill and flexibility to be re-directed. Students also perform a song - and we explain to them the importance of choosing a song that suits their age and personality and how the portrayal of the song is as crucial as the strength of their singing voice."
"We also ask them to do a piece of sight-reading to show their ability to think and respond quickly as well as showcasing the different accents they have mastered. At the end of the time we ask them questions about the pieces they performed and about the business - their business. This shows if a person has done any research about the plays/musicals and also about who's casting, who's writing, who's directing etc. as this can prove how serious you are about wanting the part as well as about your career as a whole."
For further information contact:
The Market Theatre
Sun Street
Hitchin
Hertfordshire SG5 1AE
Tel: 01462 433553
info@markettheatre.co.uk
Web: www.markettheatre.co.uk
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