So you want to be a Performer?
Performers need to be talented and skilled. They also need stamina, dedication and self-discipline. Nearly all professional performers have had training either at a drama or dance school or at university. Courses at specialist drama, dance or other performing arts schools tend to be more vocational and practical than university courses which by and large are more theoretical.
We are just finishing a project on careers information with both of the Sector Skills Councils that cover the entertainment industry. As a result there will soon be profiles of jobs such as actor, stand up comedian, stage manager, walk-on artist etc available on this website and on the sites of Skillset (audiovisual industries) www.skillset.org and CC Skills (live performance industries) www.ccskills.org.uk. Keep checking the sites.
There are BTEC National Diplomas in performing arts which many colleges teach. These are equivalent to A levels and normally require four GCSEs at grades A-C for entry. These can be a platform to move onto training at a higher level such as the BTEC Higher National Diplomas, or specialist courses at drama school.
If you are interested in a career in drama you should contact the National Council for Drama Training at 5 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SN - tel: 020 7387 3650 or www.ncdt.co.uk. They will be able to provide a list of colleges which run accredited drama courses. Professional training on an accredited course is perceived as by far the best way to enter the acting profession. Some government funding is available for people on such courses. The Council for Dance Education and Training at Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS, tel: 020 7247 4030, or www.cdet.org,uk should be able to provide similar information for those interested in dance. You can also get information on courses at all levels from your local library. There is also the Conference of Drama Schools which represents most of the leading drama schools in the UK and they have a very useful website with information about different careers in the entertainment industry, www.drama.ac.uk. Many of the members of this group offer degree courses in acting. Please note that auditions form part of the entry process for places at specialist dance and drama schools.
There is also training available for people wishing to learn circus skills and comprehensive information on this can be found at www.circusarts.org.uk
Younger people can find out about less lengthy training by contacting theatres in your area to ask if they run any theatre groups or workshops. You could also contact local private dance and drama schools to see if they run weekend or summer courses which will not clash with school timetables. The names of theatres, schools and their telephone numbers can be found in the publication Contacts. A copy of Contacts can be obtained from Spotlight, 7 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7PB - tel: 020 7437 7631, or you could ask your local library to get a copy. There is also the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain www.nyt.org.uk, and the National Association of Youth Theatres www.nayt.org.uk.
Another useful publication is the weekly newspaper The Stage. Their website, www.thestage.co.uk has, in addition to news, general information about the performing arts in the How To Guides section.