I graduated with my BA in theater a year ago and am pursuing acting in New York. I am considering applying to graduate programs in a year or two. The complication, however, is that I have had the dream of studying in London for several years now, but don't know if it is in any way practical. I did a summer program in Oxford and felt that the type of training provided by the English professors better suited my strengths and interests. In addition, I have spent enough time in London to know that I love it. However, I don't know if it is financially feasible. Also, I don't know if I move back to the US whether my degree will be recognized and if I will have wasted the opportunity to make valuable contacts in the place where I am working. Finally, if I decided to settle in London how much of a problem does the dialect issue present?? Any advice about any of this???

it's greatly appreciated,

Liza

I would jump at a chance to study in London. IMHO it will be very prestigious to theatre companies. Film and TV people probably won't care as much, though it could help you get an agent. As far as degrees go I know they have MAs, not sure about an MFA.

Your dialect could even be an asset-- I know someone who worked for years in London because he had an American (well, he was Canadian) accent. He actually said that it was one of his selling points there.

Good-luck!

I studied in London while in college, and if I had the opportunity to live there again, I'd do it in heart beat! I prefer London to New York, though I love NYC too. But, you're right, it's extremely expensive to study there. I do think that U.K. degrees are recognized here, so that shouldn't be a problem.

As someone considering auditioning this January, I'll throw a couple comments in there myself.

First, you're kind of right regarding "not recognized here." I mean, people will know what The Central School of Speech and Drama is, but if you train in London, you're making contacts in London. In the states, if you go to one of the top ten schools, you'll most likely be working with professionals who work in the states. Doesn't mean it should stop you from going, however.

Second, the money is a big issue. You will recieve no aid from FAFSA. That money is earmarked for U.S. citizens planning to go to school in the U.S. Grad school is ridiculously expensive and, somewhat stupidly, most schools don't give much aid. (Yale, with its 20 billion dollar endowment pays less than half tuition which is over 40K a year.)

The following schools are free in the U.S.: Old Globe/USD (San Diego, California), Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Montogomery, Alabama), and National Theatre Conservatory (Denver, Colorado). All three offer professional work on the stage (NTC is affiliated with The Denver Center).

Personally, my U.S. list is as follows: Julliard, NYU, Yale, Brown/Trinity Rep, Harvard/ART, Old Globe/USD, National Theatre Conservatory, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, UCSD.

Editing my own post: I think I came off a little strong saying "they're not recognized" here, because I honestly couldn't tell you 100% about that. As far as the practical benefits of graduate school, you're far less likely to come away with an agent as your showcase is geared all to the other side of the ocean, am I making sense?

I'll concur a lot of great points made already, especially about the finances. And then when you add in the exchange rate, it gets REALLY ugly.

As to recognition in the States, I only have a small sample to go on, but I know that I spent a summer at RADA and the graduating American student was deciding between William Morris and (I think) CAA for respresentation, so clearly he was getting some really great attention.

I think some of the really prestegious schools (RADA, Guildhall) will get you great connections here in the States. I think it's like any Grad school, if it's one of the top schools you will get better connections, if it isn't one of the really well recognized schools you are left making your own way a bit more.

Best of luck with whatever you decide, and if you go to London I will be envying you, but in a good way.

There are many, many more schools in the US who fully subsidize the MFA in Acting programs than the ones that TommyP mentioned.

Many schools in the UK have shortened programs- ie/ Mountview, etc. whose programs are one year only. I personally want a 2 year full time or 3 year program, but that's me.

Something to consider that has not been mentioned is that it's difficult to work back in the US if you turn British Equity. AEA in the US is very protective of its jobs. I don't know if these UK MA programs offer union status by graduationm but just keep that in mind...