![a day in the life of a drama student [i_614] a day in the life of a drama student](http://www.actorhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dramastudentday.jpg)
Photo Credit: Dave Stokes via cc
Unlike some college courses and university degrees, going to drama school will certainly take over your life. It’s more than a full time 9 to 5 job out there in the real world. It is going to be fun but it isn’t going to be easy. Make sure you use your time there wisely because it will pass by and be over as quick as a flash! The one, two or three years will fly by and before you know it you will be out in that big wide world with a head full of knowledge.
Your life will change from day one and may be a shock to the system if you have just come from doing your A Levels. Don’t think you will be spending mornings in bed before an afternoon lecture or a bout of improvisation. Get used to very early mornings and don’t be surprised if you are required at the school before 8am, doing rigorous warm ups, body stretches and vocal exercises, getting your head and body ready for the long day ahead. You are going to need a whole lot of commitment and dedication.
You will also have a variety of classes and lectures to attend to during the day times. You will be given study periods which you should spend in the library and not in the student bar. And don’t forget the end of term production rehearsals which can last until the late evenings. Most drama schools will have a basic timetable of around 10am to 5pm and all the extra work is done before and after that time slot.
There is the text studies and research to be done for your essays, and yes, it’s not all about acting, it’s about expressing yourself on paper too. There are the numerous practitioners to study, the roles to play, the techniques to learn, you will also be learning from the technical staff, the costume, props and set design team.
And like some students, you may even have to get yourself a part time job which will help pay for the essentials. A lot of drama students get part time evening jobs in pubs or restaurants which again is tough on you especially if you have a class of modern movement tomorrow morning at 9am.
Being at drama school does not mean going to the student bar most nights, instead you may be working, studying, rehearsing or catching up on sleep. But those precious rare nights of socialising will be well earned, letting off steam and relaxing is important too. But your work and schedule comes first.
Typical day of a drama student
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6.30amTime to get up, shower, have breakfast. Get yourself a very good alarm clock. If you have trouble getting out of bed, place the alarm clock across the other side of the room, that way you have to get out of bed to turn it off.
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7.30amTravel to school. You may have to leave earlier if you live further away. Due to these early starts it may be wise to look for accommodation nearer the school.
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8.00amA session of voice limber and vocal exercises. A part of any actors discipline is to prepare themselves vocally before a show, the same goes for workshops and rehearsals. Get used to warming up your voice.
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8.30amA rigorous session of warm ups, body stretches and body limbering. Like the voice, the body needs to be warmed up also. Body exercises not only stretch the muscles but gets the circulation going. It helps get your mind focussed too.
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9.15amQuick break. Breaks are essential to make visits to the loo and to replenish body fluids. Drink lots of fresh water throughout the day.
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9.30amFirst workshop of the day on movement, singing, improvisation or performance. Make sure you are always on time, lateness is not accepted. In the world of professional acting you must never be late for an audition, rehearsal and call time when working on set or in a theatre.
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11.00amQuick break. Regular breaks are essential. After inputting a lot of information, you brain needs a rest. It’s also a good idea to stretch your legs if you have been sat in a lecture for an hour or so.
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11.15amSecond workshop of the day on movement, singing, improvisation or performance. You can sometimes face up to 4 lectures in one day. Make sure you are prepared for each lecture well in advance. A student diary is the key to keeping on top of things.
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1.00pmLunch and a visit to the library. Most student’s have other things to do in their lunch break, many have scripts to learn or text to read before a rehearsal or lecture. Lunch is also a good time to meet up with friends and unwind.
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2.00pm– Lecture on practitioners, actors, techniques. If you have an active session after lunch all the good. But sometimes a lecture after a lunch can cause you to get sleepy. It’s just your body digesting your food. Eating things like pasta and bread can make you feel a bit sleepy after lunch. Fruit and nuts are good as they slowly release their energy through out the day. Try and keep alert.
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3.30pmQuick Break. Another ideal opportunity to visit the loo and to drink lots of water. Stretch your legs if you have been sat for a long period.
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3.45pmWorkshop on Voice, Speech or Text. The last lecture or workshop of the day! But you may still have a lot to do afterwards. It’s important that you eat and drink regularly because you may still have another six hours or so at school.
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5.30pmSnack Break. Perfect time to eat a small meal. That should then set you up for the evenings work.
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6.00pmEvening Rehearsal for end of term performance or group project rehearsal. Many drama schools hold evening rehearsals. This may be because it’s the only time the theatre is actually free. Some students may be taking part in a graduate show for another student and rehearsals for those are held in the evenings and weekends. And if you are free for the evening, you may have to work in a part time job to help you fund your studies or living expenses.
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9.00pmJourney home. A good time to go over todays work or look at tomorrows studies. Journey time is also a good opportunity to learn those performance lines again.
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10pmFinish essay, or another look at notes, text or research for tomorrows schedule and spaghetti hoops for tea!
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11pmand sleep zzzzZZZZZ
The above timetable does seem hectic and long but it can be a typical day for a drama student. It doesn’t even include meetings with tutors, over running of lectures, study time and homework, personal chores like medical appointments, shopping and even socialising. If you are studying a shorter course, then the timetable will be even more hectic. A one year course will demand longer days. A top tip would be to buy a student diary and keep a note of all the up and coming lectures and workshops. Keep on top of all your daily schedules and timetables.
Many actors will tell you that when they trained they didn’t even have weekends off and even the ‘reading weeks’ or half term breaks were spent studying and rehearsing for shows. We promise you, during your time at drama school you will be at your leanest, fittest and in tip top condition. But don’t let all this put you off. When auditioning for drama school the panel look for the best, the committed and the disciplined. It’s all about discipline of the mind, body and soul which should help prepare you for the professional world of show business, because as we all know it’s tough out there. Training in drama is just the first hurdle…..