Business (6) - Task C - GSA Research

The University:

• Name:   Guildford School of Acting (University of Surrey)
• Location:   Surrey
• Course:     BA (HONS) Musical Theatre

Fees & Entry Requirements:

• Audition Fee:     £55
• Entry Requirements:  
  -- DDD in Extended Diploma or AAB A-Level
  -- Grade C or above in Maths and English
• Course Fee per Year:     £9000
• Accommodation Fee:    Weekly rent ranges from £69 to £160

Audition Process:

• Round 1:    Perform one Musical Theatre song of no more than three minutes. Needs to be age appropriate. Bring sheet music and full piano accompaniment. Character and show needs to be researched in detail.
• Round 2:    Perform a one minute solo dance of any style. Bring music on a CD. Perform the same song from round one again, plus perform a song from the list given by GSA. Prepare two contrasting modern speeches (post 1950) at no more than two minutes each. One should be in your own accent. 
• Round 3:     Interview.

Course - First Year:

• Technical skills in singing, acting, voice, tap, ballet, jazz and physical theatre.
• Singing -- how the voice works // one to one sessions // repertoire classes // ensemble singing 
• Improvisation -- mainly done through story-telling
• One week intensive course in stage combat 
• Rehearsal projects
• Ensemble (acting/performance) -- "considers the role of the individual within the ensemble as well as the relationships between ensemble, main protagonist and audience".
• Naturalism within the Musical

Course - Second Year:

• Rehearsal Projects
• Professional Preparation for individuals & advanced repertoire work
• Historical context work
• Television / Screen acting
• First public performance

Course - Third Year: 

• Public performances
• Industry showcase (at West End theatre)
• Professional Development
• Professional Jury

Facts & Statistics:

• 100% of 2015 graduates got agents
• Currently 7 GSA grads in the West End cast of Wicked (including Elphaba and Fiyero)
• Currently 11 GSA grads in the West End cast of Les Misérables
• 100% student satisfaction rate in the 2014 National Student Survey
• Students gain automatic membership of the student Equity scheme 
• Acceptance rate = 36 places, 2500 applicants

Important People:

• Many patrons including Dame Penelope Keith and Dame Maggie Smith
• Head of GSA = Sean McNamara
• Head of Musical Theatre = Julian Woolford