Young Actors Studio

Student View

Lewis, 16, Bridgend
YAS gives you an insight into how drama school works and how to audition for drama school. The YAS teachers all know what they’re talking about. You learn loads of different techniques and skills. Improvisation with Dick was really good. We did various exercises – exploring status and finding objectives and learnt how not to censor ourselves and to just let go!

Ines, 17, Cardiff
The things we learn here we can apply to other aspects of life. I’ve learnt how the little things make a big impact. Today I am really excited about acting through camera.

Rachel, 18, Merthyr Tydfil
It’s been really important for my confidence – I feel much more able to go ahead and just do it. The teachers give everyone the same amount of attention – there’s no favoritism.

Sophie, 17, Cowbridge
I’ve learnt teamwork skills and how to cooperate in a group. It really encourages you to think outside the box. You get to know your group really well and build trust – you’ve got to! The teachers are really easy to talk to. They’re really good at giving clear instructions and are more than willing to help if you don’t understand. It makes you realise that this is the real world and you have to work for it. You build up a one-to-one relationship with the teachers and they make the lessons really fun and enjoyable.

Toni, 19, Cardiff
The teachers are really great – they tell you it’s hard, they don’t cover that up. They push the boundaries and put you out of your comfort zone which makes you more confident both in and outside of college.

Anna, 18, Hengoed
Yvonne on Shakespeare was really helpful: approached it in a different way, helping you to build pictures internally. YAS focuses on the individual – you realise that it’s OK to be you which gives you space to develop.

Josh, 18, Treorchy: I have learnt more here than I have anywhere else. The classes are fun and are always different. I want to go to drama school.

Cari-ann, 18, Newport: All the classes are really helpful especially audition technique. I’m having loads of fun and have made lots of friends.

Rachael, 19, Bournemouth
I love the school! It’s a really good way of preparing yourself to audition for drama school. I feel much more prepared to audition this year in comparison to last year. You learn lots in a short space of time. The teachers are easy to approach and you don’t feel intimidated – it’s a really nice atmosphere.

Annes, 18, Penarth
Improvisation from last term was really good. Everyone hated it before and now everyone loves it: legend Paul. YAS is like a little family. Everyone is so helpful. I’m auditioning for Royal Welsh and Royal Scottish this year.

Gruffydd, 18, Cardiff
I’ve developed; I have more creative ideas, am more confident onstage and feel I’m able to live the character more. I like voice the most. Knowing how to breathe helps me to feel more confident and relaxed onstage. I want to go to drama school and am auditioning this year. The workshops are also really good. The improvisation one with Anita was really creative. The school has a really nice and relaxed atmosphere – everyone is at ease. Erica is like a mum.

Tom, 17, Cardiff
We’ve just done two hours of movement. It’s difficult for me because I’m not the most elegant person in the world but it’s definitely helped me.

You do have to be committed and the experience is a great benefit. For me it’s the best drama college in Britain plus I’ve met a lot of great people here. There are different groups, but you chat with everyone about their experiences; it really opens up your social life. Also you can approach the tutors with anything. I trust them a lot and the course has broadened my acting ability.

I’m doing A levels this year so along with YAS I do feel I have a lot on but it’s a good eye opener for university life and shows how much work you have to put in to hopefully come to a place like this. I’d definitely recommend YAS to anyone.

Tamar, 18, Cardiff
I signed up for YAS because the college is such an amazing place in Cardiff. It’s given me focus and more of an idea of what to expect with the acting profession and what you need to do to get into drama school. It’s an insight into what it might be like.

The three main things we do are voice, movement and acting and this year we’re also doing audition technique; learning how important all different bits of your body are. Stuff I didn’t even think about before. It’s fantastic.

It is a commitment. Some Sundays I wake up and think I want to go back to sleep, but when you get here it’s just amazing. You get close to the people in your group and you learn so much. The tutors are fantastic and you get people who actually teach in the college.

I’m hoping to go to drama school or university next year and in the future become an actor. That’s the plan anyway!

Victoria, 18, Cardiff
Today we’ve been doing voice with Emma Stevens-Johnson, going through our class monologues. It’s brought new light to my classical piece, which I’ll obviously take on board for my auditions to college so I’m really excited. YAS has been really useful to my life, to my career!

I know it sounds cheesy, but YAS has made me a different person. Before I came here I wasn’t so confident in portraying different sides to myself. The tutors have really helped me. It’s such a down to earth college.

There’s no other opportunity like YAS. I don’t think I’ve heard of anything else like it. If you’re interested come and audition, they’re so friendly. The tutors really make you feel at home and relaxed.

I’ve made lots of new friends and I’m going to keep them for a long, long time. We’re going to have a Student Council to help organise going out and socialise together.

It’s no trouble to come here of a Sunday, it’s the highlight of my week!

Alex, 17, Swansea
I travel up every weekend but it’s worth it, it really is. I auditioned for the pilot course but didn’t get in. I tried again and now I’m here and absolutely loving it. It’s a really good experience.

Since we’ve started we’ve done improvisation skills, movement skills and how to control your voice. This has helped me a lot. I’ve also met loads of new and lovely people that enjoy the same hobbies as me. In school you’re always told do this, do this, whereas in YAS they show you different options and professional techniques that you can take on into further education or your career.

It’s a really lovely environment with great course tutors – they understand their pupils and realise people’s potential. It’s really enjoyable and I can’t wait to see another term!

Lucy, 17, Aberdare
This morning I’ve had movement: we did lifting and stretching. I really ache the next day but I enjoy it! Since coming to YAS my acting in school has got much better and I’ve become more nimble so my movement has improved. You do have to be committed but I really love it. The best thing for me is performance; it’s fun. I’ve also made friends with everyone. It’s my birthday today and they all got me a card!

I hope to go to a college like this and YAS is helping me achieve my goal. The tutors are really nice and helpful. If I’ve got a problem they’ll explain it to me, so I feel I get really good support.

You need to be quite social and up for anything. Before I came to YAS I was quite shy. It’s changed me quite a bit and now I’ll happily take part.

Carys, age 16, Swansea
I love coming here. On the first day you don’t know anyone and everyone is a bit nervous, but by the second week everyone mixes really well. We’ve got similar interests and it’s a nice atmosphere.

YAS has definitely improved my acting skills. I’m more confident on stage as well as meeting new people. In a strange way I’m a lot more aware of my body and my posture. I’m happier, I feel more alive. We’re not just learning great skills it’s also good exercise. It really wakens me up and is a good start to the week.

In the new Student Council I’ve been nominated to represent my group. The council will help make sure everyone is getting their potential out of YAS. It’s such a fun environment and you learn so much. What’s wonderful about working in a group with a tutor is that it isn’t like a teacher/class situation; we all give our input into what we think is working or not and discuss it. The tutors are always there if you have any questions or want some advice. YAS is a great, great place to be.

Ricky, age 20, Cardiff
YAS has really boosted my confidence. It’s just amazing. People look forward to the weekend for days off, but I look forward to YAS. I just love it. I think everything about it is a wicked thing for anyone who is serious or interested about acting.

For me, coming to YAS is a taster of what will hopefully be my career. The tutors are honest with you and it just keeps encouraging you to practise and keep doing what you love, which is what I think we’re all here for. For anyone thinking of joining YAS I’d say: don’t even question it, just do it. Definitely. It’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever done.

This is my second year and I couldn’t wait to come back. You meet amazing people and make so many friends. The tutors are amazing as well. Ask anyone in the Royal Welsh College, it’s just such a friendly place.