There are various routes to becoming a professional actor, but all of them will require training. Just as one wouldn’t turn up to a Ballet Company audition without having had Ballet classes, or one wouldn’t try be a doctor without having attended a medical collage, one shouldn’t presume that you don’t need to be trained in performance. Acting is not just about ’saying the lines’ – you need acting technique.

Why study acting? This is a fun video that points out why!

“[It is] essential to actually study acting. Everyone can act. But mostly people who are starting to consider acting as a profession only have a shaky idea of what acting is; excessive expressions, earnest intonations.. acting with a capital A. Studying acting isn’t just sitting in a classroom, being lectured.” Alice Brittain – Knowing Alice

Not all actors have had acting training before winning the theatre or film roles that launched their careers, but that doesn’t mean that they still won’t need to have classes in acting technique. Learning as much as you can about performing is the most logical route! It proves that you are dedicated to learn all about your craft and about becoming an actor. This page will be talking about all the different routes you can take in regards to training, but the real centre of actor training in the UK is the National Council for Drama Training – it’s a must to  bookmark.

Age 10-16;

You may get trained at a full-time Stage School (also known as theatre school) which are specialist performing arts schools offering both vocational training (dance, music and drama) and the national curriculum (Key stage 1 – 5 and then GCSEs) for 10 – 16 year olds. A great example of such a theatre school would be the famous Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. Other full time stage schools include Redroofs, Arts Ed, Brit School, and Italia Conti.

To be a stage school student you may have to have an interview and audition to get in, and as well as places being over subscribed, fees are high, so this option isn’t for everyone. Overall it is advised that a young actor stay in mainstream education to complete their education whilst attending part-time classes at a stage school – most schools mentioned do weekend classes. There is nothing to stop you completing your education whilst attending part time classes and building up your knowledge of the business so that you are prepared when you leave compulsory education! The Nataional Association of Youth Theatres is a good place to start as is Drama Classes.biz – a helpful site to help you find local drama classes!

Other weekend schools from around the UK to consider;

Sylvia Young, Principal of the Sylvia Young Theatre School, gives a word of advice about stage schools about general training and even suggests that although theatre or stage schools have a great deal to offer;

“…it may be more practical to stay at your own school, take all your exams, attend part time dance/drama/singing classes, and then aim to train at full time drama school from age 18.” Sylvia Young – Stage Advice

Age 16-18;

These two years are the equivalent of America’s high school wherein you may stay in mainstream education (regular state schooling) until the age of 18 and gain A Levels, BTECs or National Diplomas at 6th Form or College. From the age of 16 education is optional but it is highly recommended to gain qualifications that could be needed in later life. You may study performance A Levels or BTECS in Theatre Studies or Performance Art.  Studying theory behind performance in an A Level like Theatre Studies or English Literature is an excellent way to prepare you in the understanding of character and plays that you may perform in the future! If you feel too impatient and want to just get straight into auditioning, perhaps try and remember that this is only two years of your life and these qualifications are valued by higher education drama schools and future employers.

In this Back to School video I talk about what GCSEs and A Levels to choose with a career of performance in mind and what you can do at school.

Age 18 onwards;

From the age of 18 you may audition for Drama School where you obtain professional training in drama, preparing you for professional work on stage and for the camera. You can find a full list of schools at the Conference of Drama Schools website. Most of the schools are based in London, for example RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) and Central (School of Speech and Drama). There is no central body like UCAS to apply to drama schools so you may apply to them directly and thus, as many different ones as you want! Be sure to talk to drama teachers and previous students first to asses which institution will be best for you to train at.

As most drama schools are private institutions they do not have to charge the usual university fee amount which is currently around £3200 a year although this rate is changing do to cuts. Some drama schools have fees at £7,000 a year. Susan Elkin talks in much more depth about funding drama school at The Stage Advice, so give it a read.

The application process is tough, with there being around 10-25 places available within each school and thousands of applicants each year. Most auditionees do not get a place in their first year of applying to drama schools so it is usual to have to audition plenty of times. With places being so limited, and the financial difficulties being as they are, training at a drama school cannot be for everyone.

If drama school isn’t going to happen for you, you may study for a BA in Acting or Theatre at university. This option may be better as you can apply through the UCAS system and also apply for a student loan to help you along the way. Studying drama at university requires a lot of research to see which course is right for you – some courses are more theory based and others have more vocational, practical elements. One bigger difference between drama schools and university is that it is not a university’s priority to make you job ready and prepare you for getting work upon graduation. It is now usual that all accredited drama courses award students an Equity card, meaning that you are able to work as soon as you’ve graduated. So research properly and you will find the right mix of theory and practical elements that prepare an actor for the demands of the industry. For a list of drama courses at university look at the Standing Conference of University Drama Departments.

The Stage’s Advice page on training at 18 + is fantastically in depth and UK Performing Arts have some great articles on applying to and funding drama school.

A Planned Career?

You may already have a good idea of the route of training you want to go down to become a professional actor. Regardless of what you may plan, various obstacles will all become part of the challenge! Whatever may get in your way, you should always keep going. Keep acting. If you don’t get in to drama school, you can do a university degree in performance and keep doing theatre on the side – or do a post grad at a drama school in acting for stage and screen. There are a multitude of options and accept whatever training opportunities come your way!