What I would say is a strength of my voice is my versatile vocal range. Having a large vocal range will really support my future within acting because of all the many characters that I may audition for in the future and whether they need high or low sounding voices. Adding onto this, I have good diction which is an amazing thing to know I have as it means that portraying emotion through my performances is easy to me and guides me swift-fully through my acting work. Also, continuality when maintaining a technique for a performance and emotional depth are huge factors towards the way I speak.

Weaknesses - Things that I would like to urgently improve on for the future is my projection, staying in character when I miss a line or mess up, remembering choreography, body language when singing, dancing and acting, time management and maintaining confidence after a slip up. My main concern at the minute is that I really care about what everyone else thinks of me. But this is something that I need to work on quickly this year because if I carry this with me in my future in the industry, I won’t go as far that I want to.

Limited pacing ability when talking as my brain works faster than my mouth which then leads to me stumbling my words. This is something that I want to fix quickly as when given new scripts in the future, I do not want to constantly be messing up and stumbling my words which will make me have an unprofessional image. Adding onto this I have accent limitations. Therefore, in the future I would love to be able to have some accent help and increase my knowledge on how accents are expressed.

Opportunities - I have in the past achieved and accomplished to the best of my ability many opportunities that will go towards my time rehearsing and performing at college. As examples, a Musical Theatre stage is not a stranger to me as I have performed on one many times (also within plays too!) So, I have a large range of experience and character knowledge. This means that I have proved to many people that I can take on loads of different personalities and also whilst singing and dancing so hopefully an audience watching me perform will be able to see that I have a great past of expressing myself on stage. 

Opportunities that come from voice are things like technology where I can use my voice to enhance things for the future, commercials and voice over advertisements, further training to enhance range and experience and voice acting for things like animation, video games and audio books.

Threats - In my opinion, I think that my biggest threat to myself is my self confidence and attitude when things go wrong. This is because for example, if I don't get the character that I wanted, my mind will immediately jump to the thoughts of that I am not talented enough for this industry and will knock me back and make me think that everyone around me is one step ahead pulling me further back from my confidence. This is really bad because the more my confidence gets knocked as a Musical Theatre performer, the less I am built for the industry in the future. So in the future I would love to get over these insecurities to be the best I can be and prove to everyone that nothing can tear me down from my dream and what I want to do for the rest of my life.  

Threats that could come in the way of me and my voice ability are health issues that damage vocal cords or aspects affecting the voice, typecasting where my voice can only be used for specific character needs, competition in the industry with many other talented and professional voice actors and technological advancements replacing the way real people work in the world.

Emil Dale is a drama school in Hitchin and it is my top choice of where I want to go for my next steps. They specialise in triple-threat musical theatre training, treating all three aspects seriously. This is because it is my top choice because of how much I want all round training. All students also get a taste of the West End with workshops and masterclasses with performers on the West End themselves. Emil Dale has their very own talent agency called Dale Hammond Associates.

All students receive training such as key skills in West End jazz, individual singing technique, acting for stage and screen, ensemble singing, song and dance, performance technique, commercial dance, and many more.

Entry into the course at Emil Dale is based on both audition and academic qualifications, 80 UCAS points through Level 3 academic qualifications.

Emil Dale’s address is EDA 60 Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 0TP. And the best place to live as a student in Hitchin is to rent a room and house share. It is possible to rent a double room with a private small kitchen and bathroom along with the shared house, but if you’re looking for something cheaper, you can also rent rooms that share everything with other students. There are a few house options significantly close to Emil Dale, but if I find something slightly further away, bus fares cost no more than £2 each ride, or I can drive which will be quicker and more efficient.

The train from where I live, Kettering to Hitchin is 1 hour 23 minutes and it is around £50-£70 with a 16-25 railcard, depending on how far in advance you book.

On the other hand, by driving to Emil Dale from Kettering, the journey time is 1 hour 10 minutes and the petrol will only cost around £10.

Student Finance is available for eligible people at Emil Dale, covering £9250 per year towards fees, and up to £9200 per year towards maintenance costs. (Students tuition fee and maintenance loan).

2. Urdang London

The Urdang Professional Dance and Musical Theatre degree provides you with a variety of performance opportunities like, dance productions, musicals and off site showcases. Including the opportunity to take part in their annual Summed Show, public productions of musicals and an agent/industry showcase. From this degree, you pick up excellent employment skills needed for the industry, including musicals (West End and touring), dance companies, television, theatre and education.

The UK entry requirements are 80 UCAS tariff points, a minimum of grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics.

Urdang City, University of London is located in The Old, Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4RP. Because Urdang is connected to The City of London, they have their own student accommodation that is available for all Urdang students. If this is not suitable, there are plenty of student houses close to Urdang where you can rent a room. Buses around London are currently £1.50-£2 depending on how far you are travelling. Tubes around Angel Islington (Urdang’s closest tube station) range between £2-£5. The train from Kettering to London St. Pancras International tickets are around £15, this is the same price of what petrol would be if I drove from Kettering.

With Urdang, student can apply for a tuition fee loan, currently for 24/25 it was £9,250. But fees can be subject to change due to an inflationary increase in the region of 5%.

• Emildale.co.uk. (2015). Emil Dale Academy. [online] Available at: https://www.emildal

• Emildale.co.uk. (2015a). EDA - Emil Dale’s Performing Arts Academy - intensive 3 year musical theatre course. [online] Available at: https://www.emildale.co.uk/eda/3-year-musical-theatre-course.php#:~:text=Entry%20onto%20the%20course%20is [Accessed 25 Sep. 2024].

• www.emildale.co.uk. (n.d.). EDA - Emil Dale’s Performing Arts Academy - intensive 3 year musical theatre course. [online] Available at: https://www.emildale.co.uk/eda/3-year-musical-theatre-course.php

• City.ac.uk. (2024). Our undergraduate degree – URDANG. [online] Available at: https://urdang.city.ac.uk/our-undergraduate-degree/ [Accessed 27 Sep. 2024].

Chichester universities musical theatre course is a fully scaled and productive with professional production teams. Their BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Triple Threat) is 3 years full time or 1 year top up full time.

The entry requirements are 104-120 UCAS points. In auditions, you will need to demonstrate your ability in dance, acting and singing in performance. Applicants of high level performance skills may be considered for a lower academic offer. Audition and interviews usually run from January until March/April.

University of Chichester, College Ln, Chichester PO19 6PE.

Their accommodation options vary from on campus traditional student halls to new student accommodation villages in the centre of Chichester. The accommodations are professionally managed, secure and supported by their team.

For travel around Chichester, a bus is £2 from any location staying in the city. A train from where I live currently (Kettering) to Chichester is around £50 and usually takes around 4 hours with 3 stops. If I drove from Kettering, it takes around 2 hours and 43 minutes and will cost roughly £25 in fuel.

The course costs are: UK fee of £9,250 along with a maintenance loan which depends on your circumstances - household income.

2. Angelia Ruskin University

Introduction to their course:

Develop as a triple/threat performer who excels in singing, acting and dancing, with our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre degree course in Cambridge. Becoming a musical theatre student at ARU, you’ll train with industry professionals and take part in showcases and productions from year 1.

The entry requirements are 96 UCAS Tariff points and subject to do an interview/audition.

Anglia Ruskin University, East Rd, Cambridge CB1 1PT.

When studying at Cambridge you’ll have the option to stay in halls which are on campus, or shared houses that are within an easy walking distance. Each having social opportunities and surroundings. Their properties are: Anastasia House, Peter Taylor House, Swinhoe House Hall of Residence and University shared houses.

They also have a specialist tenancy support team who can help find private rented accommodation.

Bus prices currently in Cambridge are around £2 to travel around the city. A train from where I live (Kettering) to Cambridge range from £15-£35 and it takes around 3 hours to get there. The drive from Kettering to Cambridge is 57 minutes and fuel is around £5-£10.

Tuition fees are £9,250 and when you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover your course fees.

• University of Chichester. (n.d.). BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Triple Threat). [online] Available at: https://www.chi.ac.uk/stage-and-screen/course/ba-hons-musical-theatre-triple-threat/.

• University of Chichester. (2024). Funding and Advice - University of Chichester. [online] Available at: https://www.chi.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees-finance/funding-and-advice/ [Accessed 29 Sep. 2024].

• STUDENT ACCOMMODATION. (2023). Available at: https://www.chi.ac.uk/app/uploads/2023/02/ACC-Accommodation-Brochure-Feb-23-WEB.pdf [Accessed 29 Sep. 2024].

• BA (hons) musical theatre (no date) ARU. Available at: https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/musical-theatre#fees (Accessed: 30 September 2024).

• Accommodation in Cambridge (no date) ARU. Available at: https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/accommodation-in-cambridge (Accessed: 30 September 2024).

Spotlight is a platform for professional and serious performers over Europe. It’s the most successful and prestigious casting platform in the industry. Spotlight connects you with the casting professionals and roles to help you have a successful career. Being a member of Spotlight you help get recognised to have the right skills and experience to make it in the industry. People that have come from Spotlight have got access to exciting acting opportunities and benefit from discounts and continued development as a performer. To be eligible for a Spotlight membership you need to meet their standards that are based of certain experiences and training abilities.

Spotlight Benefits:

• Creating a profile - a gateway into the industry and accessing performing opportunities. Casting directors can search your profile looking for performers with the right skills and characteristics that they need.

• Discounts - Savings from high street retailers and services for professional performers, all because you’re a member of spotlight.

• Developments and events - It will guide you to meet industry experts and other performers so you can continue developing your skills, wherever you’re based.

• Advice and support - Their team of industry experts are available to you throughout your membership, with one on one career advice sessions available every month and advice from their membership team.

• Contacts - Everything you need to know about a career in the entertainment industry.

Cost:

Prices for a Spotlight membership vary depending on the chosen tier. Full Membership: ranges from £154 - £199 annually with additional charges for optional services such as uploading showreels or accessing Spotlight Contacts.

Or it will be £16.50 per month.

2. Social Media:

Social Media is an amazing resource for performers to maximise their reach and engagement. It supports us to:

• Identify our target audience

• Utilise multiple social media platforms

• Create engaging visuals

• Use hashtags

• Collaborate with influencers and partners

By beginning to set all of this us successfully, will support performers to get online and begin appearing on the correct audiences platforms, the further and the more popular the page gets, it can reach as far as agents and publishers who want to hire you.

• You have to think of socials as your stage presence - think of your favourite social media platform as its own stage.

• Regularly posting and sharing videos to your page, videos are crucial for helping audiences and venues get to know you.

• Authenticity to keep your audiences engaged, yes, people want to engage with your talent. But they also want to connect with you as a human and get to know the person behind the talent.

• It’s not expected, but consistency is needed for social media, it is a long game. That’s why consistency trumps almost every other useful tip. Just like you practice an instrument, you must regularly practice social media.

• Iterate and experiments are important because social media success doesn’t happen overnight. That’s why it’s important to experiment and learn what works best for your audience.

• Learning from others to reduce that envy. As understandable as it is to feel that way, it’s time to kick those jealous feelings to the curb and instead, look at the performers who are succeeding on social media and figure out what you can learn from them.

  
  

If I am actually going to pursue in social media, I would like to aim for 1-3 posts per week. Utilise video content - Music videos, live performances, and short clips that perform well on social media. Use platforms like Instagram and TikTok’s favouring video. Importantly, engage with fans - Reply to comments, ask questions, and build a connection with the audience.

It doesn’t cost anything to start up a social media account, but something beneficial is that if you become significantly successful on the platforms, you can begin to earn your own money from it when reaching a certain amount of followers and connections.

• app.spotlight.com. (n.d.). Performers. [online] Available at: https://app.spotlight.com/join-us/performers/.

• Gladin, J. (2024). Understanding Spotlight UK Membership Costs: A Guide for Actors. [online] Southsideperformancestudio.co.uk. Available at: https://www.southsideperformancestudio.co.uk/blog/understanding-spotlight-uk-membership-costs-a-guide-for-actors?format=amp [Accessed 4 Oct. 2024].

• Purplepass. (2023). How to Promote Performing Arts Events on Social Media: 8 Tips for Maximizing Your Reach Online. [online] Available at: https://www.purplepass.com/blog/how-to-promote-performing-arts-events-on-social-media-8-tips-for-maximizing-your-reach-online/.

• Rosenfeld, J. (2016). 6 Social Media Practices That Successful Performers Get Right. [online] iCadenza. Available at: https://www.icadenza.com/social-media-tips-for-musicians/.

• Reddit.com. (2024). Reddit - Dive into anything. [online] Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/SocialMediaMarketing/comments/1e0x664/how_to_grow_a_musicians_social_media/ [Accessed 5 Oct. 2024].

Bad Feedback:

• Awkward

• Moving a lot

• Closed off

• Little eye contact

• Nervous

• Too fast

Good Feedback:

• Amazing recovery after technical difficulties

• Good projection

• Good diction

• Gets into character fast

• Clear hard work

• Focused

• Positive attitude

• Confident in interview