When choosing a program, the first thing every student must decide is what type of job they might wish to prepare for in the performing arts. There are administrative positions like theatre managers, concert promotors, grant writers and many other 'behind the scenes' jobs.
Performance jobs can include acting (live theatre/film/television), dance (dance company-touring group/television - videos/commercials, choreography, filmwork), music (musical theatre/opera/solo career/studio singer/back-up singer/music group).
No matter what you choose, it's best to have as many skills in as many areas as you can. Diversity is key in the performing arts. How many celebrity actors can't also sing or dance, write or direct or even play an instrument?
Triple threat programs, training students in singing, dancing and acting, continue to be popular.
Our number one choice in Canada is a private school called "The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts". It's located on 736 Bathurst St. in Toronto and has both a secondary diploma program as well as an entire children's program.
Faculty are successful performing artists themselves and numerous celebrity guests give special workshops throughout the school year. Students take classes in the 3 major dance disciplines (ballet/jazz/tap), study acting using monologues, scene study and work on a full staged play in their 5th semester as well as choral work and private vocal study. There are also courses on the history of musical theatre, music theory, acting for film and television and improvisation.
Tuition is pricey, but Randolph graduates enjoy many successes in the professional world of the performing arts. Many garner roles in Broadway and off Broadway productions while others enjoy success performing with major music groups or doing commercial and television work.
For more information:
http://www.randolphacademy.com
GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE, also located in Toronto, offers numerous programs in the performing arts fields. One very practical program, called "Commercial Dance Studies Program" offers courses designed to prepare students to work in the professional arena.
Although this program focuses on dancers, the courses offered include musical theatre, where students are instructed in voice as well as dance, learning the skills to combine both into performance. Students also study acting for 2 hours/week as well as vocal for 2 hours/week.
Jazz dance, taking up 4.5 hours each week, is the major dance discipline studied in this program, however there is also 3 hours of ballet and 1.5 hours of hip hop covered weekly as well. Tap workshops are given once/month.
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