Young Actors Studio
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Acting Courses and
the Theatre Workshop?
Our Acting Courses for 16 to 19 year olds are designed for young
people who are seriously considering training for a career in the
theatre or who have already decided to apply to drama school. They
will give you a taste of professional actor training, the
opportunity to improve your acting skills and help prepare you for
the audition process. Acting Courses run on Sundays from 10am to
4pm for 10 weeks per academic term (30 weeks per year). Entry is by
audition only.
If you have a keen interest in drama and theatre but don’t
necessarily want to become a professional actor, our Theatre
Workshop might be best for you as this is for any young person aged
15 to 19 who wants to develop their creative and life skills and
spend a bit more time doing something they really enjoy. Theatre
Workshop will run on Sundays from September 2010. Students are
assigned to a group according to their age and classes run at
various times throughout the day. There is no need to audition –
places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and we
just ask for bags of enthusiasm!
How is the Young Actors Studio different from Youth
Theatre?
Youth theatres provide an opportunity for young people to
experience the excitement of live performance and rehearsals. The
focus of our acting courses is not on public performance. At most
drama schools (including RWCMD) students will not be involved in
public performance until their third year. The aim of our courses
is for students to explore their individual talents in a safe and
supportive environment, to develop their core skills, and to learn
approaches to acting through improvisation and text-based work. We
offer the only training of this kind in Wales. Some of our students
have previous experience of youth theatre and continue to
participate in youth theatre even after they have successfully
auditioned for the Young Actors Studio acting courses. It is
perfectly possible to do both!
Why are the fees so high?
The fees are comparable with those charged by other leading
drama schools offering similar opportunities. The courses are led
by professional actors and directors and delivered in small groups
which ensure that each student gets a high level of personal
attention. As part of the University of Glamorgan, we are currently
able to offer a limited number of means-tested bursaries to help
with fees. These can be worth up to 100% of the full fee. The
amount awarded to each individual student depends on their
circumstances and how much bursary money is available.
What do you look for in audition?
Entry to the Acting Courses is by audition. We are looking for
young people with a “raw” or “natural” talent. No previous
experience is required. We also look for motivation, enjoyment,
passion, instinct and generosity in working with others. In
addition, we consider whether or not we feel the student would
benefit from our courses, and whether or not they have potential
for further training.
It’s not necessary to audition for Theatre Workshop – places are
allocated on a first come, first served basis. We only ask that
students are enthusiastic and committed.