Drama training

Drama training

I would like advice about Drama Training

Published: Friday, 3 August 2007, 12:09PM

If you are considering applying to a drama school, a useful organisation to contact is the National Council for Drama Training, who can provide information on courses they accredit.  There is a full list of training organisations published in Contacts.  You can also find out about part-time or holiday stage schools through Stage Register.

Please note that the following information is extracted from Equity guidelines (published with permission).

Professional training on an accredited course is perceived as a good way to enter the acting profession. Some government funding is available for people on such courses. You can also get information on courses at all levels from your local library. There is also the Conference of Drama Schools which represents most of the leading drama schools in the UK and they have a very useful website with information about different careers in the entertainment industry. Many of the members of this group offer degree courses in acting. Please note that auditions form part of the entry process for places at specialist dance and drama schools.

Younger people can find out about less lengthy training by contacting theatres in your area to ask if they run any theatre groups or workshops. You could also contact local private dance and drama schools to see if they run weekend or summer courses which will not clash with school timetables. The names of theatres, schools and their telephone numbers can be found in the publication Contacts. A copy of Contacts can be obtained from Spotlight, 7 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7PB – tel: 020 7437 7631, or you could ask your local library to get a copy. There is also the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, and the National Association of Youth Theatres.

Another useful publication is the weekly newspaper The Stage. Their website, www.thestage.co.uk has, in addition to news, general information about the performing arts in the How To Guides section.

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