Drama School Stories: A Degree vs Drama School Training
Melissa Dalton on her undergraduate experience in a drama degree, versus a formal drama school programme
This is the first in our series of perspectives from members on training as an actor in the UK/Ireland. To help you learn more about the training on offer out there, Spotlight asked Melissa Dalton, graduate of Trinity College Dublin and Guildford School of Acting, to contribute her POV. With plenty of great insight on offer in this series, read the rest of our advice about drama school.
In my opinion, doing a drama degree is not going to be ideal for everyone wanting to become an actor as it will never compare to intensive drama school training. I had toyed with the idea of going to drama school straight from leaving school but in hindsight, I don’t think I would have been ready or able for the intensity of it. Having a few years to mature and learn about myself and the world really stood me in good stead and when I did train, I was ready for it.
BA in Drama & Theatre Studies, Trinity College Dublin
While I was still in secondary school, I was quite unsure about what would be best to study in university. I knew I wanted to be an actor but at the time there was very few options for vocational training in Ireland. The drama degree at Trinity College Dublin was known to be an outstanding course and had produced many of Ireland’s leading performers and theatre-makers over the years. Trinity is also a highly acclaimed university internationally, thus this degree was my number one choice.
The course offered both a practical and academic curriculum, but when I started I realised it was a little less practical then I would have preferred. In the first two years, we learned all about different styles of theatre from all around the world and throughout the ages whilst also studying acting and other theatre making classes. In our third and fourth years, we were allowed to choose what modules we took; therefore, you could tailor your degree and make it mostly practical - which was exactly what I did. I majored in Acting and Playwriting, and minored in Devising, Directing, Dance Theatre and Women in Theatre.
I am really glad that I chose to do this degree, I learned so much about all aspects of theatre as well as about making your own work, which is something I regard as vital for any actor. I also got to have the whole university experience while also diving in to a subject I was so passionate about.
In my opinion, doing a drama degree is not going to be ideal for everyone wanting to become an actor as it will never compare to intensive drama school training. I had toyed with the idea of going to drama school straight from leaving school but in hindsight, I don’t think I would have been ready or able for the intensity of it. Having a few years to mature and learn about myself and the world really stood me in good stead and when I did train, I was ready for it.
MA at Guildford School of Acting
The moment I walked through the doors of Guildford, I knew this was the drama school for me. The building itself is bright, airy and open and there is such a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the get go. My initial instinct wasn’t wrong; GSA has a strong essence of community to it, and this was something that I really appreciated during my year there. An MA is intense and it whizzes by, but I feel it is perfect for actors who have been to university first or who have already worked professionally as an actor. It was a difficult year in many ways, intense and challenging in every aspect but always in a rewarding and beneficial way.
More than anything, my training gave me the confidence and strength to succeed in this often cutthroat business. The quality of the training means I have honed my talent and skills, I know how to effectively take control of my own career by being proactive and it has given me the mental capability to pick myself up and carry on with positivity and hope when times are tough. I was planning to stay in the UK after my training so studying here was so helpful for figuring out how the industry operates here. I also became a part of the GSA family, which gave me a group of friends and a support network I know I can always rely on.
One of the biggest challenges for me was keeping up with the coursework, along with the extra dance and voice classes I took in the evenings, while also working a part time job in the evenings and weekends in order to fund my living expenses. This took its toll on my stress levels, so in hindsight I wish I had applied for more funding or taken more time to save so that I didn't have to work quite as much.
Training is so wonderful for nurturing one’s talent, but in my opinion, it isn't always going to be necessary or even fitting for many actors. We are all on a different path in this business and what works for others may not work for you. I think the most important thing is to be patient, work as hard as you can, treat everyone with respect and above all, always aim to enjoy yourself!
Melissa Dalton is an Irish actor based in London who trained at Guildford School of Acting and Trinity College, Dublin. Acting credits include ‘She Denied Nothing’ (Brighton Fringe), ‘Animal Farm’ (Sala Umberto, Rome) ‘Non Stop Connolly Show’ (Finborough Theatre), ‘The Forest’ (The Vaults), ‘Wind in the Willows’ (Waterloo East Theatre), ‘The Jim Club’ (Web-series) and ‘Over’ (Short Film). Melissa is also a writer and theatre-maker and performed in her new play ‘Towers of Eden’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year.
