Pippa

Why did you choose to do a foundation year?

There were several significant reasons why I chose to undertake the Musical Theatre Foundation Year at Guildford School of Acting. Primarily, this decision stemmed from the fact that I was not offered a BA Musical Theatre programme. While this was initially disappointing, it encouraged me to reflect carefully on my training and the most constructive path forward for my personal and professional development. 

One of the most important factors influencing my decision was my desire to continue developing my technical and performance skills in a focused and supportive environment. 

Musical theatre is an extremely demanding discipline, requiring a high level of ability across singing, acting, and dance. I recognised that although I had a strong passion for the industry and a solid foundation, there were areas in which I would benefit from further structured training.

In addition to skill development, confidence played a significant role in my decision. The audition process and competitive nature of drama school applications can be challenging. I was keen to enrol on a course that would not only improve my technical skills but also rebuild and strengthen my self-belief as a performer. The Foundation Year provided a nurturing yet rigorous environment in which I could take creative risks, receive constructive feedback and grow in confidence without the immediate pressure of degree-level assessment.

Another key reason was my strong desire to keep my future options open. The Foundation Year is designed to prepare students for a range of next steps, whether that be progression onto a BA programme, further specialist training, or entering the industry with enhanced skills and clarity. 

Knowing that the course would allow me to re-audition for degree-level study, while also strengthening my overall profile as a performer, reassured me that I was making a proactive and strategic decision about my future.

What did you enjoy about it?

One of the aspects I enjoyed most about the course was the equal and balanced focus across all three disciplines: singing, acting, and dance. Having consistent training in each discipline not only strengthened my technical abilities but also helped me understand how they interconnect, which is essential in musical theatre performance. 

The balance ensured that I was continually challenged while also being supported in areas where I needed further development.

What support have you received at Surrey?

One of the most valuable forms of support has been access to the University of Surrey’s library and academic resources. 

Having use of the university library has allowed me to carry out independent research to support my acting and script work, as well as to broaden my contextual understanding of theatre and performance. The availability of musical theatre scores greatly helped me with Rep classes and Acting through song classes.