Drama school Summary

A Drama School is a higher education college which specialises in the vocational teaching of drama (i.e. acting, musical theatre and technical theatre). Students at such a college are normally awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) at the end of their studies.

1 Entry and application process
2 Course content
3 Funding
- 3.1 United Kingdom
4 Drama / Acting Schools
5 External links

Entry and application process

Entry to drama school is usually through an audition. Some schools make this a two-stage process. Places on an acting course are limited (usually well below 100) so those who fare best at the audition are selected. Most academies state that applicants must be over 18 years of age. Auditions usually involve the performance of monologues and group workshops, but may also include a singing activity. This varies from academy to academy. For musical theatre degree, the emphasis is on showing one's talent as a singer. Most colleges offer recall auditions, often in several stages, in which students being considered for entry onto a course are brought back to audition again, demonstrating their talents further.

Course content

The courses offered by drama schools are heavily based on practical work, after all, their aim is to train students as professional actors for stage and camera work. Students are required to be enthusiastic and motivated in order to meet the demands offered by the course. At the end of the final year (usually the third) most drama schools stage a series of performances throughout the academic year to which agents and casting directors are invited. This helps to build the future of the graduates and serves as a showcase of what the students can do.

Funding

United Kingdom

In the UK, funding varies from drama school to drama school. Most drama schools are now part of Universities, such as the Central School of Speech and Drama, which is part of the University of London. These tend to charge similar tuition fees to universities. Some drama schools however, such as the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, are private schools, and may charge up to four times as much as other academies. Student loans, drama awards and scholarships may help to provide students with their funding.