Career Development Plan

Where am I now?

- Studying Level 3 Diploma RSL Acting, RSL Music Performance, A Level English Literature at Suffolk One Sixth Form College. 

- A member of the Brantham Amateur Theatre Society where we put on musicals, pantomimes and plays of all genres!

- Aspiring to either go to a conservatoire to study music/drama or to go a university and study English Literature.

Where I plan to be in the future? 

- I plan to have a career in the performing arts.

- I plan to have released my own music on streaming platforms.

- I plan to have been in some stage productions or (independent) films.

SMART TARGETS

 Short Term:

S   - To achieve my 'aspirational grade' or higher in all my subjects at college.

M - I will measure my success based on my grades in smaller assessments leading up to the end of                 year thirteen.

A  - To ensure I do this, I will allocate my time wisely and focus on all of my subjects equally. This               goal is achievable if I track my progress and prevent myself from procrastinating.

R  - Tracking my progress will allow me to see what specific areas I struggle with.

T  - I will achieve this by the end of year thirteen.

1) I chose this goal because I think it will keep me motivated in my studies, allowing me to receive the best possible grades I can in order to go to a university of my choice.

2) I will achieve this goal by planning revision schedules so that I have time for school work as well as time to unwind.

3) Whilst this may be difficult as it has been challenging to balance school work with my projects outside of school, I will feel proud and accomplished once I have achieved this goal.

 

Action Plan:

- Attend all lessons with the correct equipment and kit.

- Asking questions when I'm struggling with the work to avoid resubmissions and work that isn't up to a an optimum standard.

- Create a timetable for working at home.

- Find a balance between school and private life.

Mid term:

S  - Further my performing arts education.

M - To do this, I will attend several open days for universities and conservatoires whilst keeping an               open mind about what my life could look like in the future. I will also immerse myself into out               of school projects to enhance my understanding of drama.

A  - This will be achievable if I plan my education path in advance and keep my options open.

R -  It will give me a better understanding of the acting industry.

T -  I will have achieved this by my first year of university.

1) I chose this goal as it will keep me motivated to do my best, knowing that I'm working towards something.

2) I will achieve this goal my going to open days and thoroughly planning before any interviews and auditions that I will have to do.

3) This shouldn't be too difficult to accomplish if I start planning sooner than later, thus keeping my options open.

Action Plan:

- Research to find what life plan is most suitable for me, for example - gap year, university, conservatoires etc.

- Research into many different universities and go along to open days.

- Ask for careers advice if I need it.

- Achieve the best grades that I possibly can in my A Levels so that I have more options.

Long term

S  - To develop a career in the performing arts industry, either acting (stage, film, tv etc) or music.

M - I will partake in acing workshops and productions inside and outside school to gain more                         experience of being in the industry. I will harness my creativity by reading books and going to                 see live music/shows.

A  - As this is a very competitive industry, I will find an agent to help me through the challenging                  aspect of it. It will be achievable if I put in the most effort I can.

R - This will improve my ability as an actor and increase my chances of being successful.

T - I will achieve this by the age of 21.

1) I chose this goal as it has been a dream of mine ever since I was young to be apart of the performing arts industry and think it is important to follow your heart. As it is competitive, I believe that this plan will aid my success.

2) I will accomplish this goal by constantly finding ways to improve my skills, whether that be through feedback or experimentation.

3) I am aware that this will be challenging but I can ease this by surrounding myself with likeminded people.

Action Plan:

- Going to a large amount of auditions and learning how to act of criticism effectively.

- Getting an agent.

- Getting lots of experience by joining productions, seeing live theatre and partaking in workshops with groups like Frantic Assembly.

STRENGTHS:

- Singing and other musical abilities

- I have good characterisation skills

- Dedication and commitment

- Thrives in collaborative environments

- I am good at giving and receiving constructive criticism 

- Good memory when it comes to learning lines and blocking scenes

- Confident and not afraid to play characters out of my comfort zone

- Grade 7 in GCSE drama and grade 8 in GCSE music

WEAKNESSES:

- Physical theatre and dance

- Time management skills

- Accents that aren't English, American or Australian

- Balance 

- Struggles with public speaking unless I am acting or singing

OPPORTUNITIES:

- I am apart of the Brantham Amateur Theatre Society which puts on a pantomime and musical every year, giving me experience in different acting genres as well as working with people older and younger than me.

- From the age of eight until I was thirteen, I was a member of Colchester Theatretrain where I started to develop the foundation for my passion of stage acting and was taught how to overcome nerves whilst performing.

- I studied GCSE drama at my high school for five years which increased my ability for devising and working in teams.

- I am currently doing an RSL Acting diploma where I am able to expand on my knowledge of theatre as well as acting for the camera.

- I am lucky enough to have seen many shows live, including quite a few on Broadway and the West End.

THREATS:

- Not achieving my desired grades at A Level.

- Subsequently, not receiving a place at any universities that I may apply to.

G - To further my acting career by strengthening my weaker areas.

R - I am currently playing Tallulah in 'Bugsy Malone', a character I wouldn't normally play due to her confidence and dancing ability.

- In the musical 'Guys and Dolls', I have learnt several dance routines that I find challenging but am practicing to improve my skills in the area.

- I have a good understanding of context and relationships between characters in order for me to deliver a more authentic performance.

- I perform on 'Music on the Bridge' fortnightly at Suffolk One so I become used to performing in front of larger audiences.

- I have been involved in different drama groups since I was eight, as a result of this, I have a vast understanding of theatrical styles such as musical theatre, pantomime, comedies, tragedies and many more.

O - Going to as many auditions as I can, for all types of media (stage, tv, film, drama schools etc).

- Partaking in acting and music workshops to build on my techniques.

- Going to a number of open days for universities to find the one that will take my education and career to the next level.

- Playing all different kinds of roles in a number of productions.

W - Visit sites like Get Into Theatre and The Stage

- Make the best of my RSL Acting lessons so that I can achieve my highest possible grade.

Timeline

December 2022

- Complete all work before the deadline to a good standard, (throughout timeline).

- Ask questions about work that I am unsure on, (throughout timeline).

- Winter Concert will boost my confidence by performing in front of a large audience.

- Watch productions on the National Theatre website over the holidays.

January 2023

- Attend all lessons and manage time so all work is completed on time.

- Experiment with different physical warmups and start incorporating physicality into devised pieces so I become more confident with this aspect.

February 2023

- My production of 'Guys and Dolls'.

- Try out different vocal warmups that will allow me to vary my tone, pitch and volume safely.

March 2023 

- Try to use my poetry to start writing songs for my band or as a solo.

- Perform in different theatrical styles to develop on my knowledge of drama.

April 2023

- When  acting try to use different accents and dialects.

- Start researching different universities and attending open days.

May - July 2023

- Boost my confidence by pushing myself, for example, using more physical and abstract techniques when devising or performing.

- Perform on 'Music on the Bridge' fortnightly, (throughout timeline).

August 2023

- See as many live shows, of all genres, as I can.

How will I monitor the goals?

Short term

I will base my progress on assessments that I do in my three subjects, at least once a half term. I will reflect and act on this information by deciding what areas I have been struggling with most and adapt my revision timetable so that I am able to improve.

Mid term

Most importantly, I will note down my thoughts and information about the open days I attend so that I am able to make an informed decision about where I study next. I will thoroughly weigh out my options by seeking advice from my teachers and PPT if I may need it. I will evaluate my progress at the end of every term whilst studying at my university so I can keep my work up to an optimum standard.

Long term

I will research into different acting agencies so that I am able to find the one that best suits my targets and interests. Once with my agent, I will set myself a goal to attend a certain number of auditions within a time frame to gain more experience about the industry and 'get my foot in the door'. I will pay attention to any feedback that I receive and reflect on that by inculpating it into my next audition or role that I play.