BA (Hons) Acting

The BA (Hons) Acting degree is a very intense course.  During your first year you will feel there are lots of new and different things being thrown at you from all directions.  Some things might seem hard to understand, especially as a lot of it may be very new to you.  At some point in your first year you might feel like you have hit a brick wall, that you can't act at all, that you are useless and can't do anything.  Everyone else will appear to be brilliant, with loads more experience and talent than you feel you have.  This is perfectly natural and just part of the process.  In fact, it's a good thing, because it's a sign that you are developing as an actor.  Try not to worry, because the person you think is so great is probably feeling just the same as you. 

There are people at college from all kinds of backgrounds, and with all levels of experience, and you can feel very inferior at times.  However, you  will find a way through.  Be patient and be positive.  You will learn from other students as much as from your tutors.  Some classes are specially designed for you to watch each others work: you can often see in other people the problems you can't see in yourself.  If you persevere and have faith in what you're doing, things will begin to come clear for you.   It you gain a place on the course, remember that it's because you are talented and we want to help you to release your talent to its fullest potential.

When you get to the second year you will be able to look back and see where all the connections are and why you are doing certain things.  Although tutors will always explain why you are doing something, and will draw the connections for you, it is often only when you have been through an experience and can look at it with some hindsight that you truly understand for yourself.

Remember it's all acting - Shakespeare, Restoration, Nineteenth Century, Modern, Contemporary - don't be afraid of the work you are not familiar with.  You're learning the skills to cope with anything the professional world may put your way, and you will gradually see how you can adapt your core skills to embrace any style of acting. 

You may find you are suprised at how much effort and work you have to put into becoming an actor.  Now you want to be a professional, everything changes.  It's fun, but it's not a game: you expect people to pay you in the end, and nobody will pay a plumber for half fixing a leak - so they won't pay for you for half knowing your lines.  While you have lines to learn, or work to do between classes, you do not have any spare time.