To go or not to go...

Tiff_2

Forgive the pun folks.:rolleyes:
Advice needed please. I already posted re 16 year old DS starting a Performing Arts course at College and any grants that might be available but
I'm starting to wonder if he should go to one of the big academys instead.
He'd never had any acting dancing or singing lessons until he hit GCSE's at school. In Dance he got a 2 year in 1 year course & got A(a), Drama (A we hope on Thursday).
He has a natural talent for dance and drama and singing and has been in local shows over the last 1 and a half years. He worries that because he's not had any formal training that this will be held against him and he'd never stand a chance at an accredited academy.
It's his passion and he's been told he could be in the West End in years to come in a show review. He's had countless praises and was told he's a
natural, so would he stand a chance without having the grounding training that most students will have?
Another concern is that these academies some charge £200 just to audition!:eek:
Can anyone give me thoughts on their experiences or ideas please before I lose what tiny piece of grey matter I have left?:rolleyes:
Thanks in advance. And good luck to all those starting college and uni next month.:T

melancholly

the only people i know who have gone into 'the theatre' were involved with it at school (just plays/musicals at a normal school, not an arts one), but went to uni and really threw themselves into it. they did lots of shows there and used it as a way to get into the arts world..... it also meant that they had a degree to fall back on to get work if it didn't work out, or if theatre work was sporadic......

it may be that an academy is the easier option (probably is!) - but with some effort it's possible to go without, so if you can't afford for him to go to an academy (£200 to audition sounds like a rip off to me!) then don't worry that you'll be blocking his dream.

is there any chance he could have some lessons to see how he responds to teaching? it would also give him more of an idea of what to expect if he did go to an academy?