Q: Is the school a Registered Training Organisation?

A: Yes. We are approved by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to deliver accredited training and qualifications. Our RTO identification number is 91418.

Q: What is the closing date for applications?

A: Applications are currently open for 2014 and will be officially closed at 5pm on Friday 1st November 2013.

Q: When are the auditions for 2014 being held?

A: Auditions are being held from November 2013.

Q: What does the group audition involve?

A: The audition starts with a group warm up lead by one of our teachers. Following this, you will deliver your monologue performance/s. After your performance/s, the audition panel may ask you about your preparation and understanding of the piece/s and may ask you to perform it/them in a different way. Following the performance/s, selected applicants will be asked to return for a re-call audition. This is where you will be interviewed in order to find out more about your background, experience and career ambitions and to answer any questions you may have about the program.

Q: Will I get an agent and acting work at the end of the course?

A: Many graduates have secured representation at the end of the course and some do so in the months and years after graduation. It depends on how hard you work and how persistent you are. If you work hard and listen to the advice you are given during your time with us and continue gathering training and experience after graduation it is likely that you’ll secure representation sooner or later. Selected graduates may be offered a place with our affiliated actors’ agency Sydney Creative Management.

Q: Do I have enough experience or talent to gain entry to the program?

A: The main pre-requisites for acceptance onto the program are: the ability to perform a short monologue; a positive attitude; a strong level of commitment and the determination required to pursue a professional acting career. Experience in high school drama; amateur theatre or a short beginner’s acting course is usually sufficient. The programme is also suitable for those with more experience who want to hone their skills and showcase their work to the industry in high-quality productions directed by working industry professionals.

Q: What are the audition criteria?

A: Auditonees for the Diploma of Theatre and Screen Performance course are required to prepare and perform a three minute monologue of their choice. Advanced Diploma of Arts (Acting) applicants must prepare and perform two monologues. We are looking for the following qualities:

Thorough preparation -

  • The ability to create and sustain a character within an imagined world
  • Evidence of thought and feeling behind the actions and words
  • The ability to take direction
  • The ability to use the voice and body freely and flexibly
  • The ability to express thought and feeling through movement
  • Focus and concentration
  • Imagination and creativity

The audition will be conducted in a supportive and encouraging environment and you will have every opportunity to demonstrate your ability and commitment.

Q: I am mainly interested in film and TV acting – will this course help?

A: Most definitely. It’s best to gain as much stage experience as possible BEFORE going into a film and television acting career. The underlying principles of both performance styles are similar, but the delivery and execution of the performance are vastly different. The demands of stage acting require a lot of work on the voice and body and this is best done as soon as possible (i.e. prior to starting a film career). Also, most actors find that they need to be as versatile as possible and open to employment opportunities across as many genres as possible. Not many are able (or willing) to say they are only interested in film and TV work. In fact, most actors derive much more satisfaction from the immediacy of stage acting and the connection with an audience than they do from working in film and television. All of our courses also include extensive training and experience in screen acting and the completion of a showreel scene.

Q: Is there any theory involved in the Diploma Course?

A: The P/T programme is highly practical and there is little or no ‘theory’ or academic work done in class. Some theoretical principles may be introduced into the practical class and rehearsal work and it’s up to each student whether or not they wish to pursue or investigate these in their own time. You cannot learn to act from a book and most ‘theories’ actually get in the way of an actor’s performance. According to respected writer / director David Mamet in his book – True and False: Heresey and Common Sense for the Actor (1997):

Formal education for the player is not only useless, but harmful. It stresses the academic model and denies the primacy of the interchange with the audience. The audience will teach you how to act…The classroom will teach you how to obey, and obedience in the theatre will get you nowhere…The skill of acting is finally a physical skill; it is not a mental exercise and has nothing whatever to do with the ability to pass a test.

Students are required to complete a logbook that records their experiences and allows reflection on their learning progress and also a place to document research and preparation. This is a useful and essential adjunct to the practical work as reflective evaluation is necessary for growth and development from one rehearsal to the next and from one production to the next.

Q: I already have lots of experience in amateur theatre – how will this course benefit me?

A: While some experience in amateur theatre may be a valuable asset in the early stages of your career, it will only take you so far. Amateur credits are not highly regarded in the professional arena, and often you are working with directors and fellow actors who are only doing it as a hobby. This can mean you will often pick up and reinforce bad habits that will ultimately be harmful to your career prospects. The only way to progress and take your career to the next stage is to work closely with experienced professional directors and fellow actors with the same goals and commitment as you.

Q: How many students are usually in each class?

A: There is usually around 16 students in each part-time group and up to 24 in the full-time program at the start of each year.

Q: What is the age range and background of students?

A: The ages of students accepted into the program in the past has ranged from seventeen to early fifties. The bulk of students are in their late teens and early twenties and there is always a good balance of youth and maturity. All students will have demonstrated the required skills, attitude and commitment required to successfully complete the programme requirements and embark on an acting career on completion of the program.

Q: What are the course fees?

A: The fees for all courses are listed on the RESOURCES page of our website here:

http://www.sydneytheatreschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Student-Fees-2014.pdf

Q: Is it possible to get FEE HELP, CENTRELINK or AUSTUDY assistance for any of your courses?

A: Yes. The Advanced Diploma of Arts (Acting) course has VET FEE HELP available to eligible students (see Full Time Course page for more details). It will also qualify students for AUSTUDY or YOUTH ALLOWANCE payments (subject to meeting income and certain other criteria). The part-time and short courses do not qualify students for government assistance. We do offer a monthly payment plan or you may wish to pay by credit card and make repayments according to your own circumstances.

Q: Can I qualify for a student visa if I enroll in one of your courses?

A: No. Our courses do not qualify participants for a student visa, however if you hold another visa such as a tourist or working holiday visa it may not affect your visa conditions. For information on visa go to www.immi.gov.au.