Triple A Performer

My pathway to university

As co-founder of Triple A Performer charity, I have a diagnosis of autism, ADHD and anxiety. I have developed a passion for performing arts from the age of five.

As an autistic performing arts student, I have always been drawn to the world of theatre. My neurodivergence has given me a unique lens through which to view the world, and it’s this perspective that fuels my passion for the world of performing arts.

I made the decision after GCSEs to do my ‘A’ Levels at the same school because my grades were pretty good and it gave me a backup plan if, for whatever reason, I didn’t get into drama school.  My research also told me that ‘A’ Levels seemed to be the preferred route for drama schools as it demonstrated academic learning and self-study motivation. I don’t know if this is true but it worked for me.  I took ‘A’ Levels in Drama, History and Physics and also completed my Diploma in Musicianship at the same time. The three ‘A’ Levels (each with a C pass) would give me the right amount of UCAS points. Drama schools do not generally demand high UCAS points as their auditions tend to be the key entry requirement. However, I  boosted my UCAS points with the diploma and LAMDA and singing exams which directly contribute from Grade 6.  This also showed a commitment to improving my skills in my chosen career field.

The UCAS application

This application is a lot of work.  Schools and colleges do help you with it but the downside to taking ‘A’ Levels is that the school/college doesn’t necessarily have the skillset to support you to apply for musical theatre and/or drama placements. As my school is highly academic, they weren’t particularly interested in my chosen career path.  I therefore did the majority of my application myself with support from family and my singing teacher. I applied to UCAS and UCAS Conservatoires to be able to apply for the full range of placements. I will go into this separately. Personal Statement – I focused on my passion for musical theatre and acting, my experiences and learning. I illustrated my work with Triple A Performer as co-founder and the important work of the charity to enhance awareness and acceptance of neurodivergence. I also spoke about my work experience in retail and hospitality to evidence my work ethic, self-discipline and independence as well as passing my driving test. The key is to keep it relevant, sell your skillset, map out your career aims and how you see yourself achieving them.

Disclosure of neurodivergence

The big question! Did I disclose my neurodivergence? Yes I absolutely did. I was told that this could go against me and it probably did.  However, I am who I am and that will not change, nor do I want it to. If this presents an issue in applications, it isn’t my problem. Please be true to yourself and have faith that charities such as Triple A Performer will end this type of narrative. I am not looking to call out particular people, places, etc; this is simply to give a little window into my experience.

Attending auditions

If you have disclosed your neurodivergence on your application it is likely that you will receive an email or phone call to ask if you need any reasonable adjustments on the day or beforehand.  For me, I requested specific information about the venue so I knew where I was going specifically and what it looked like. I also asked for a name of someone that would be around for support during the audition in case I had any questions. You will notice very early on which places are more naturally supportive in their everyday practice.  For me, Central, Performers, Trinity Laban and Italia Conti stood out.  Make sure you wear the right gear for auditions as they can be quite strict on this. Be mindful that auditions are an essential part of the application process to drama schools, dance and musical theatre performance and auditions cost money. The audition fee seems to vary between £25 and £50  each but you will need to factor in travel and accommodation if you need to stay over.  Auditions mainly start with a self-tape and then there is a second in-person stage, if successful. Sometimes there is a third stage to whittle down the auditionees further.

Decision time!

Be prepared to wait for outcomes.  Each place will have their own way of doing things and there doesn’t seem to be any pattern to this. Sometime UCAS will notify you before the university. Once you have received your decisions then it is really up to you to decide what is your best fit. From experience and talking to neurotypical friends who have been through the experience, it was quite common last year to get two or three offers out of 10. Many of us, including myself, were also offered foundation courses. The placements are highly sought after with some of the top 10 places receiving more than 2000 auditions for 20 places. It is an extremely competitive industry but if it is what you love to do, go for it. I did! I accepted an offer at Trinity Laban and started in September 2024.

Tips for success

In summary, the most important advice I can offer is:

1. Audition for as many places as you can afford. They all give you experience and a good feel for how the course will suit you.
2. Look at conservatoires, drama schools and independents. They all have  a lot to offer.  You may want to aim for those in the top 10 drama schools or you might prefer the ones that are a little less competitive.
3. Do your research on study costs. Some of the independents and more competitive ones have higher study costs that require a top-up from the student loan. This can be around an additional £5000 per academic year.  There are bursaries available for those that meet the threshold.
4. Keep a spreadsheet of key information, including where you have applied, the reference number, contact details, audition dates, next stages and decision.  It all becomes quite confusing very quickly. Doing this will take the pressure off trying to remember everything.
5. If you can, apply early.  You don’t necessarily get your decisions any earlier but it means that you will get your auditions in December to February which then frees you up to focus on ‘A’ Level exams or whatever else you are studying.
6. Put the effort into your self-tapes, especially dance, as you will be asked to perform set pieces to tape that you learn from a video that they provide. You will need plenty of space for this so try and access a space at a dance school or village hall, where possible. You will be given quite specific guidance around monologues and songs, i.e. genres, sources.  Make sure you stay within the remit and that you know the piece well.

My journey as an autistic performing arts student has been both challenging and rewarding. I hope my experiences can inspire other neurodivergent individuals to pursue their artistic dreams and to embrace their unique perspectives.