Do A-level And University Courses In The Performing Arts Adequately Prepare Performers For A Career

By Author: Maxwell David
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This very common question, has now reached the mystagedoor Chatterbox. So, now we're going to offer our advice and guidance which we hope will help you when deciding where to apply.

As well as the specialist drama schools and performing arts colleges across the UK, a number of schools offer A-level courses in performing arts-related subjects and most of the UK universities offer some form of performing arts degree programme. But having completed these courses, are you as well-prepared as performers who have trained at specialist performing arts centres?

When it comes to auditioning for professional roles or applying for jobs in the performing arts industry, what ultimately counts is how good you are. If you walk into an audition and your CV only includes training and qualifications in the performing arts which are not from specialist performing arts centres but you performing outstandingly and fit the role they are casting perfectly, your chances of success are still very high. In fact, the benefit of an A-level qualification over training from a specialist performing arts centre is that you will gain a tangible ...
... and highly-recognised qualification which could help you in other areas of life.

Similarly, degree programmes in the performing arts from UK universities are just as capable of producing professional performers as specialist performing arts colleges and drama schools. Furthermore, like A-level courses, qualifications from UK universities can help you to access a range of professional opportunities within and outside the performing arts industry and this may help you to have a ‘back-up'. Career advice for the performing arts often talks about having qualifications which help you to access ‘back-up' work when your work as a performer is running dry.

What's your backup?
Whilst we are confident that with hard-work, determination and passion for the performing arts, you will achieve your aspirations and enjoy a successful career on the stage, mystagedoor advises to have some form of back-up work so you can continue to earn a living between jobs. We believe the earlier you think about this and gain the necessary qualifications for ‘back-up work', the more security you will have in your professional life. Ideally, back-up work will be in some way related to the performing arts to show industry professionals that you're not completely disconnecting yourself from the performing arts between jobs. For example, working as a stage hand or an usher in a theatre would be preferable to working in a call centre. Also, your ‘back-up' employment needs to understand that if a performing job is offered, you will need to leave at little or no notice. If this flexibility is not available, you may want to consider finding another opportunity.

So, here we have a few things to remember when deciding between A-level and university courses in the performing arts and training at performing arts colleges and drama schools. First what really matters is how good you are as a performer and if you're confident the course you are embarking on will help you to realise your full potential as a performer, there is no reason for your prospects in the performing arts to be restricted. Furthermore, by taking A-level and university courses, you will also gain well-recognised qualifications which will help you to access a range of professional opportunities.

We have one final piece of advice on this subject. Achieving success on the stage will be down to your hard-work and determination and if you choose to train in the performing arts with A-levels and university courses, you will need to take most of the responsibility for this yourself. Performing arts colleges and drama schools excel in driving their students forward and preparing them for the industry in as many ways as possible whereas success from education through A-levels and university course relies heavily on your personal drive and motivation. So, whatever path you choose to take, make sure you are fully aware of exactly what your course will offer and the responsibility you need to take to achieve success on the stage.
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