A full - time, intensive, one year course to prepare students for a career in the stage and screen industries  

Programme Director: Clive Duncan
Programme Length: One Year, Full -Time
Application: Applications made through ALRA. Entry to course through audition
Accreditation: National Council for Drama Training (NCDT)
Validation: University of Greenwich and Trinity College London

Course Overview 
This comprehensive programme enables graduates and others with relevant experience to quickly acquire and develop the practical skills necessary to establish and sustain a career in theatre, television, film and radio. You will need substantial reserves of stamina and resourcefulness in order to take full advantage of this highly intensive training. 

The focus of the programme is in the core areas of acting, voice and movement, supported by critical analysis, enabling you to reflect on your own developing acting process. Classes in acting technique and improvisation will offer practical solutions for character development and theatre making. You learn established movement techniques, exploring physical approaches to the development of character as well as basic dance skills. You are taught the essential techniques relating to speech, singing and the effective use of the voice. You use study skills in the development of believable characters in performance, and develop these skills further by creating an individual research project for performance.

Course Content
The taught courses are structured over three terms and include units in:

Performance projects include, ensemble adaptation of a novel or short story, a research specific text, 19th Century Realism (e.g. Chekhov), Shakespeare, a devised short drama for television, a radio play, a public production in the ALRA theatre, and a Showcase presentation in a West End theatre to an audience of industry professionals.

Following the showcase you will engage in an individual research project. From your research you will create a 30 minute performance, which can be live or recorded, supported by a written rationale for the project of 8,000 - 10,000 words.

Term 1
The first term of this intensive course sets a precedent for the year ensuring a concentration on the core areas a professional actor may work in throughout their career. You begin to discover your vocal and physical potential through regular classes in voice and movement, singing and dance. Whilst in acting you explore and release your creativity and imagination through the first major project of the year – an adaptation of a novel or short story.

In term one you are also given a methodology to work with scripts - questioning, analysing and researching - to transform the written word into the imaginative visual world of the play. These techniques are subsequently put into practice in a research specific text project.

Term 2
A classical slant is given to the second term with a focus placed on developing technical skills in voice, movement and acting. Working on two plays: 19th and early 20th Century realism (Chekhov, Ibsen, Shaw) and Shakespeare, you develop techniques learnt in the previous term. More time is given to scene study in the rehearsal period and weekly support classes allow voice and movement to focus on the technical requirements of the two plays.

Voice, movement, acting, singing and dance are ongoing throughout the term.

Term 3
Term three begins with recorded performance. You work intensely on two projects, one for the screen and one for radio, learning artistic, technical and practical techniques to ensure a thorough understanding of recording practices.

Throughout this term professional preparation classes begin to prepare you for the professional world of the industry.

Voice, movement, acting, singing and dance are ongoing throughout the term.

The second half of term three sees an intensive period of rehearsal leading to a public production, performed in the ALRA Theatre, and the Showcase. The Showcase is performed to an invited audience of casting directors, agents and other industry professionals in a West End theatre in central London.

You also continue with work in the recording studios and attend industry workshops and lectures. Led by professional practitioners these sessions prepare students for the practical business of being an actor; from marketing yourself through to keeping accounts and tax returns.

Term 4
With guidance from tutors, you will choose an individual research topic drawing upon and/or developing the performance skills and knowledge of the profession acquired during the year of study.  From this research you will create a 30 minute performance together with an 8,000 - 10,000 word written or recorded rationale reflecting on the research, development, rehearsal and performance of the final presentation.

Other Activities

Teaching
You are taught mainly by practical methods, such as technique classes, workshops, exercises, rehearsal and informal presentations. You participate in group discussions, seminars, lectures, as well as tutor feedback and review. All tutors and directors involved in the delivery of the course are practising professionals.

We require constant attendance at all timetabled classes, rehearsals, seminars and other events.

Qualifications
Upon successful completion of the programme you are awarded an MA in Professional Acting (validated by University of Greenwich) and the National Certificate in Professional Acting (validated by Trinity College London).

In addition to this, you gain full Equity membership through NCDT accreditation.