Hi Christine! I need some advice and would be incredibly grateful if you could help. Like most that follow you I have loved theatre all my life - singing, acting, dancing and seeing shows. I have a lot of experience under my belt and it is my absolute passion. This year I auditioned for drama schools (I’m from Ireland, so auditioned for UK schools) and got called back to all of them, and got into one! I was over the moon, but since being accepted I have had many doubts. (Continued!)
Tuition is very expensive so I would be in debt straight away (I could afford an academic course in Ireland without debt). The course is in Scotland, so I wouldn’t have the immediate exposure of being in London. Only few alumni of the course seem to go on to be able to support themselves through working in theatre. I’m terrified of wasting my time doing theatre and winding up in debt, not being able to support myself, beginning to resent theatre and having to work at a “survival job” forever. My other option is studying an academic course in Ireland and keeping up theatre on the side as a hobby, but I’m terrified of missing out on a life that I love and regretting not pursuing my dream! I’m sorry this was so long but I really needed to vent, and I guess I’m just looking for guidance! Thank you so much
It sounds like you’re facing a pretty tough life decision, and I’ll tell you right off the bat, there are no right answers. Either path you choose will come with “what-ifs”and a lot of questioning. I think you’ve got to do some serious questioning and weighing…Here are some things I would consider:
Why do you do theatre? I know that’s a huge question, but it’s vital to deciding on a path like this. Is it because it’s fun? It fulfills you? Different answers may lead you to different paths, because for some people, their answers may lead them to community theatre. That doesn’t mean they couldn’t do it professionally or that they aren’t good enough–it means that their reasoning to do theatre is mostly related to it being a hobby. For others, the draw is more encompassing, and leads them to more of a career focus.
How much is debt worth to you? What I mean by this is, debt is an inevitability with getting an education like this, and to some people, it’s just not worth it to know that you may be decades in debt. The risk is too high, and that’s reasonable. But it’s also the reality that an education costs money, so figuring out how much it’s worth the risk is important. This may also lead you to getting a different kind of education (private study/independent classes) or a more reasonably priced school.
What are the possible paths you could take to pursue what you want? This sort of connects to the last question–is there another option? Perhaps it’s finding a two year program, finding a cheaper program, doing independent classes…I know that you are facing a decision that you need to make on this school now, but it’s probably worth reconsidering alternate paths as well.
At the end of the day, I wish I had an easy answer for you that would solve your dilemma, but I don’t. You are facing a huge question, and it’s something you need to weigh yourself. I wish you the best on this decision, as I know it’s a huge one!
