Introduction to Actor Training

Under the expert guidance of staff from the Royal Conservatoire, you will explore the notion of the self as the actor’s main resource and learn to use voice and movement to create genuine characters. You will also work with staff from the Centre for Voice in Performance as well as movement specialists to learn the technical movement and voice skills required of an aspiring actor.

As well as focusing on performance, you will be introduced to textual analysis and will use this to explore characterisation and relationships in your performance work.

By the end of this credit-rated short course, you should be able to:

• access, analyse and communicate a character’s inner thoughts, feelings and behaviour to scene partners and an audience
• use voice and movement appropriately in the further exploration of character
• demonstrate the foundations of autonomous and collaborative practice in acting, voice and movement contexts
• evidence reflection on your personal development as an aspiring actor

Teaching will take the form of lectures, seminars and group workshops. Independent study is required to fulfill the course requirements.

This course offers students a bespoke opportunity to study acting intensively at conservatoire level. The style of engagement with this short course is open, supportive and fun, yet it is also challenging and hard work.

Entry to the course is by audition only. All auditions will be via video applications.

Application deadline: 15 July 2024
for enquiries about late applications please email credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk

Please submit the following through our online booking system:

• one classical and one contemporary monologue*, each monologue should last no longer than two minutes each.
• short two minute video of you introducing yourself your background and why you wish to study on the Introduction to Actor Training course.
• a passport sized photograph of yourself suitable for a student card
• A personal reference (this is not essential at point of application and can be provided at a later date if accepted onto the course)

At the beginning of your monologue videos please introduce yourself and tell us the name of your character and the play that your monologue is from.

Here is a short video from Ali de Souza, lecturer on the BA Acting with some tips on filming your audition.

Your monologues will be assessed by our lecturers and if successful you will be invited to an interview via Zoom. These will take place the week beginning the 22 July 2024. We aim to let you know the outcome within 7 days after your interview.

* The Contemporary Monologue

It is safe to consider anything written in the latter half of the twentieth century onwards to be contemporary.  However, even a period play written in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century if it has been adapted by a living author is considered as contemporary. So for example Tom Stoppard’s adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters or Zinnie Harris’ adaptation of Strindberg’s Miss Julie would both be fine. A good rule is if the author is alive, or could theoretically still be alive if they died young (e.g. Sarah Kane) then you can consider the work as contemporary. Of course finding a speech from a relatively new work (e.g. from the last ten years or so) gives us some indication of your knowledge, understanding and passion for theatre today, so the more recent the work, the better

• Plan and prepare to attend all classes.
• Dress comfortably in clothes which are suitable for the activity you are taking part in.
• Bring a notepad and pen/pencil in case you wish to make notes.
• Please bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during your class.

This course is ideal for those who want to experience drama school training but are not ready or able to go into full time study.

It is for self motivated people, who are able to work as part of an ensemble but also on their own.

Students should be open, generous and and show commitment by attending all classes.

Credit-rated short courses are designed in accordance with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

This course is credit-rated at SCQF Level 7, 20 credits.

By studying a credit-rated short course, students can benchmark their learning against national standards, and credits may be used towards further education programmes at many institutions throughout the world.

By studying a credit-rated course, you will need to be matriculated to RCS*, we require some additional information from credit-rated students for this reason. Please read through the section below thoroughly before you submit. If you have any questions about what is required, please email credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk and we can help you.

* Please note although Credit-Rated Short Courses students require matriculation to get their accreditation, you will not be a full time matriculated student of RCS. Credit-Rated Short Courses do not qualify for student visas due to the short term nature of the course. You will also not qualify for a student email address or student card.

Please read the following eligible evidence dependant on your nationality and immigration status:

Scottish/Welsh/English/Northern Irish (Please provide 1 of the following)
– Passport
– UK Driving Licence
– Other Photo ID

Irish (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport

Europeans with Settled or Pre-Settled Status (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport
– Online Immigration Status (via Sharecode)

Europeans (post-Brexit) (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport
– Proof of Entry to the UK
– Online Immigration Status (via Sharecode)

Non-Europeans who can use the e-gates (Nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore and Japan) (Please provide all of the following)
– Passport
– Proof of Entry to the UK
– Vignette
– Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Online Credit Rated courses:
– if studying an online credit-rated course from your own country (outside of UK) you are only required to submit your passport.
– if studying an online credit-rated course within the UK, but do not hold a UK passport, please follow the guidance from above.

The Credit Rated or Admissions team may require further information or proof from individuals, and may be in contact with you to provide further evidence.

Providing a ShareCode
If you are providing a ShareCode as part of your evidence please visit https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and follow the instructions to access your code, and provide it in the Experience section of the Booking Form.

The course fees for the full year (32 weeks) are £2220 which can be paid in full or instalments throughout the year.

The termly fee breakdown for this course is:

• Term 1 (13 weeks) = £902
• Term 2 (12 weeks) = £833
• Term 3 (7 weeks) = £485

This course will run weekly on Sundays. Please find the term dates below:

• Term 1: 22 September – 15 December 2024
• Term 2: 12 January – 30 March 2025
• Term 3: 20 April – 1 June 2025

There will be a short sharing on the 25 May 2025 for invited friends and family.