A reality check before you apply to Drama School

For those of us that already work in the arts, we can quickly forget how difficult it was to gain acceptance to this club. Well, it’s hard, it’s very hard and I want to prepare you. I want to give you a reality check, I’m sorry, it’s not pleasant, but faced with the facts, you can make the decision for yourselves:

REALITY CHECK ONE: It was reported a few years ago that there are around 12,000 people applying to drama school each year. There are 1550 places available at the 22 accredited training institutions in the UK. That’s roughly a one in seven chance of getting a place at one of the top actor training schools in the country. That’s a 14% chance. You’ve got a better chance of getting into Oxford University.

If you want to improve your chances, then get some experience and get a coach to help you with your audition preparation.

REALITY CHECK TWO: According to American Equity (and it’s probably worse in the UK) – only 5 years after graduating drama school, only 10% of actors are still in the business.

If you get into this business, you’ve got to stay in it to make it work.

REALITY CHECK THREE: Few other training institutions (outside the arts) offer you a training that prepares you for a job you *might* get, if you’re lucky, perhaps.

REALITY CHECK FOUR: Despite the number of channels increasing and digital film making democratising the process of production, the number of jobs for actors in theatre, film and television is decreasing every year. On the other hand, the number of jobs at Tescos and Sainsbury’s is increasing.

If you’re going to get work, you’ll need to be the best, consider getting some coaching to keep yourself in tip-top condition.

REALITY CHECK FIVE: If you worked at minimum Equity rates all year round (the chances of which are highly unlikely) you wouldn’t earn as much as a Postman and significantly less than a fire fighter.

If you’re going to get into this, it has to be for something other than the money.

If I’ve put you off, I’ve done my job. If I haven’t put you off, I’ve done my job.