foreword
contents
by Janet Suzman, President of CDS
welcome
LAMDA – London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art
Introduction by Peter Barlow, Chair of CDS 4
LIPA – The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts 41 Manchester Metropolitan University School of Theatre 42 Mountview Academy of 43 Theatre Arts The Oxford School of Drama 44 Queen Margaret University 45 RADA – Royal Academy 46 of Dramatic Art Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance 47 RSAMD – The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama 48 RWCMD – Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama 49
About us
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subject areas I wish you a warm welcome into the fraternity of the 22 drama schools which, as President of CDS, I represent. Let me open the door wide and invite you across the threshold into a very hard-working world. Each one of the drama schools has its own character of course, but each is dedicated to bringing out of you, the student, what you have best to offer. In a world such as ours, where competition is fierce, where earning your living at a decent level is not guaranteed, where everyone seems to want instant fame, then training at a good drama school is vital in order to give you more of a solid foundation on which to build your career. I believe the very ground-rock of the rich dramatic tradition is these islands is Shakespeare, the great wizard of words, and at drama school you will meet him as an actor must, on your feet, rather than sitting at a desk as you might have at school. I also believe that a classical training is vital, so that you are at home with the thrilling discovery of words. Then, on top of that, the schools of the CDS will teach you practically everything you will need to know in the diverse and inventive world of the performing arts. Most of the schools have courses in Technical Theatre and some teach Musical Theatre and each year new courses are added. However there is only so much that can be taught, the rest you will pick up as you go out into the world after your thorough training at one of these world-renowned schools. It’s a funny old profession, but the fact that you are reading this means that you are already bitten by the performing bug. But don’t be fooled: everyone has something to offer, but just how deep that offering goes must be tested and you can only find out by testing yourself. To do something once is nothing; you must be able to subject yourself to the rigours of repetition and that takes technique and knowledge. Go for it! And my blessings upon you.
Janet Suzman President CDS
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Conference of Drama Schools – www.drama.ac.uk
Step 1: career paths – the different options Performance
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Directing
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Design
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Technical Theatre: Stage Management
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Lighting
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Sound
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Construction
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application
course information Step 2: training options – the range of courses available 16 Guide to courses
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Part-time and short courses 20
the schools Step 3: where to train – an overview of each school 26 ALRA – The Academy of Live & Recorded Arts 28 ArtsEd – Arts Educational 29 Schools London BSA – Birmingham 30 School of Acting Bristol Old Vic Theatre School 31 Central School of Speech 32 & Drama Cygnet Training Theatre 33 Drama Centre London 34 Drama Studio London 35 East 15 Acting School 36 GSA – Guildford School 37 of Acting Guildhall School of 38 Music & Drama Italia Conti Academy 39 of Theatre Arts
Step 4: how to get in – the application process Applying to drama school Auditions & interviews Funding information Sector and qualifications Funding contacts Useful contacts International students CDS showcases Further information CDS industry connections
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ver 250 courses O to choose from at
22 schools
welcome
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