A few other clues he couldn't have been in the original production - the RSAMD programme from Jan/Feb/Mar states that it is being performed by Final Year DDA Students. David is too young to have been a final year student in 1989 and you have previously documented that he did not do a DDA but a BA. Excellent detective work!
I should have inserted this entire thread of research thinking in my post (and will likely go back and explain it now you've brought it up!) but to be honest, it slipped my mind when I was writing this up. And here's why:
Over my years of researching his RSAMD years, I've learned not to draw conclusions on whether David did or didn't do something based on what class of students (BA/DDA, or 1st/2nd/Final Years) were involved. In my extensive talks with many of David's fellow students on both the BA and DDA courses, I've learned classes often swapped students on other courses and years in and out of productions when they needed to fill out a chorus or for smaller parts - and sometimes, even for larger parts! And though they often did document this sort of swap on any programmes or leaflets they published....they didn't always.
Take a look at that Hired Man programme. You'll see though the main cast is filled out with Final Year DDAs, the "Farmworkers, farmers, miners, soldiers" area does have some 1st year DDAs and BA students listed, too. This is an example of crediting the students, but there are other times they didn't. What's more, sometimes even the main cast members were filled by students in other courses: one of those times is on another production David did called "The Fruits of Enlightenment" (which I'll cover in another post). Though the production's programme specifically says "School of Drama presents Final Year DDA Students", David is a prominent cast member!
All this to say, you presented a very valid research question - an assumption which I used, too, and which tripped me up for quite some time. Luckily, talking to fellow students helped straighten me out. Now I ignore it most of the time, which is why I forgot to include it while explaining my research process.
The DDAs (Diploma of Dramatic Arts) were what David called "proper actors" - their coursework was focused on acting. The BA coursework was too, but it was also a bit more academic-focused and was approved by the University of Glasgow and could be used for credit to obtain a teaching degree with only one more year of study.
I don't think he believed he wasn't an actor, but that the DDA course was for actors without the option of being able to obtain a teaching certificate.
You're probably wondering, then...why didn't David choose the DDA course? I believe it was mostly because of his age. He was young (17) and eager to begin training, and the DDA course had an age limit: you had to be 19 to enroll. The BA course accepted 17-yr olds!
Love this..... what part did you play? I played various parts. :-)
A few other clues he couldn't have been in the original production - the RSAMD programme from Jan/Feb/Mar states that it is being performed by Final Year DDA Students. David is too young to have been a final year student in 1989 and you have previously documented that he did not do a DDA but a BA. Excellent detective work!
Oh, well caught!
I should have inserted this entire thread of research thinking in my post (and will likely go back and explain it now you've brought it up!) but to be honest, it slipped my mind when I was writing this up. And here's why:
Over my years of researching his RSAMD years, I've learned not to draw conclusions on whether David did or didn't do something based on what class of students (BA/DDA, or 1st/2nd/Final Years) were involved. In my extensive talks with many of David's fellow students on both the BA and DDA courses, I've learned classes often swapped students on other courses and years in and out of productions when they needed to fill out a chorus or for smaller parts - and sometimes, even for larger parts! And though they often did document this sort of swap on any programmes or leaflets they published....they didn't always.
Take a look at that Hired Man programme. You'll see though the main cast is filled out with Final Year DDAs, the "Farmworkers, farmers, miners, soldiers" area does have some 1st year DDAs and BA students listed, too. This is an example of crediting the students, but there are other times they didn't. What's more, sometimes even the main cast members were filled by students in other courses: one of those times is on another production David did called "The Fruits of Enlightenment" (which I'll cover in another post). Though the production's programme specifically says "School of Drama presents Final Year DDA Students", David is a prominent cast member!
All this to say, you presented a very valid research question - an assumption which I used, too, and which tripped me up for quite some time. Luckily, talking to fellow students helped straighten me out. Now I ignore it most of the time, which is why I forgot to include it while explaining my research process.
Thanks for your comment!
An excellent read & research. Thank you!
I loved how they both were excited during the conversation. That's my girl, going deep and getting the facts we need!
What is the difference between a DDA and a BA? Would one have set a student up better to teach over another?
The DDAs (Diploma of Dramatic Arts) were what David called "proper actors" - their coursework was focused on acting. The BA coursework was too, but it was also a bit more academic-focused and was approved by the University of Glasgow and could be used for credit to obtain a teaching degree with only one more year of study.
Thank you. It’s interesting as this seems to show that David didn’t consider himself a “proper actor”!
I don't think he believed he wasn't an actor, but that the DDA course was for actors without the option of being able to obtain a teaching certificate.
You're probably wondering, then...why didn't David choose the DDA course? I believe it was mostly because of his age. He was young (17) and eager to begin training, and the DDA course had an age limit: you had to be 19 to enroll. The BA course accepted 17-yr olds!