PROSPECTUS CONTENTS THE ALRA MISSION

The ALRA Misson 02 ALRA (The Academy of Live & Recorded Who Trained at ALRA? 03 Arts) aims to equip actors with the Campuses 05 fundamental skills for a productive and BA (Hons) Acting – 3 Years 07 creative life in the performance industries.

MA Professional Acting – 15 Months 11 ALRA is dedicated to helping students of all MA Directing – 2 Years 15 backgrounds and ages to enter the world of Foundation Acting – 1 Year 19 live and recorded arts. Other Courses 21 ALRA has a distinguished record of What help will I get with my studies? 23 producing professionals prepared and ready Fees and Funding 24 to work and will continue to enhance that Outreach / How do I get a place at ALRA? 25 record in collaboration with the industry.

To achieve this we will: • Provide a specialist vocational education for students whose primary goal is to work in the performing arts

• Further expand and develop ALRA’s links with the entertainment industry

• Provide excellence in teaching, learning, student achievement and personal development

• Constantly innovate and improve how performance practitioners learn and apply their knowledge

HISTORY

ALRA was founded in 1979 by Sorrel Carson and Caryll Ziegler. It was the first drama school to offer a training which encompassed all media: Live Theatre, TV & Film and Radio.

ALRA is CDET and FDS accredited.

All production photos by Helen Murray. 2 WHO TRAINED AT ALRA? WHO TRAINED AT ALRA?

Amongst many other successful graduates, ALRA has trained:

MIRANDA HART JIMMY AKINGBOLA SARAH PARISH DENISE GOUGH

Miranda studied on the Postgraduate Jimmy graduated from the Three Year Sarah trained on the Three Year Acting Graduating from ALRA in 2003, Denise course at ALRA and has since become Acting course in 1999. His TV roles include course and has since become well known made her television debut in Casualty one of the most recognisable names Antoine Malik in and Mick in for her TV roles which include; Anna and has since appeared in many popular in British comedy. She earned her BBC comedy Rev. He starred alongside Ian Rampton in W1A, Cath Atwood in series from New Tricks to Stella. She was reputation as a stand-up comedian McKellen in the world premiere of Mark Broadchurch, Cheryl in Trollied, Dawn nominated for The Milton Shulman Award at The Festival and on Ravenhill’s play The Cut and went on to Rudge in Peak Practice, Allie Henshall in for Outstanding Newcomer (2012), at the the stand-up circuit. take the title role in Frantic Assembly’s Cutting It, GP Katie Roden in Mistresses, Evening Standard Theatre Awards for her acclaimed production of . He won Pasiphae in Atlantis and as a guest lead performances in Eugene O’Neill’s Desire She first came to prominence with her a TMA Award for his performance in Joe in Doctor Who. Under the Elms at the Lyric Radio 4 show Miranda Hart’s House Party Penhall’s Blue/Orange. and Nancy Harris’s Our New Girl at the and the BBC comedy Not Going Out. In 2006, she starred alongside Jude Law . Miranda’s sitcom Miranda on BBC2 earned He is co-founder of TriForce Promotions, and Cameron Diaz in The Holiday and her two BAFTA nominations, three British which seeks to develop young talent and took a lead role in Sex, the City and Me. Denise made her National Theatre Comedy Awards and an RTS Award. hosts networking events for actors, writers debut in 2015 in the lead role of Duncan and producers as well as workshopping Macmillan’s People, Places and Things, She made her West End debut in 2017 new writing with the BBC. directed by Jeremy Herrin. For this role, as Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie. she won an Oliver Award for Best Leading Jimmy is Patron of ALRA South. Actress (2016). She returned to the National Theatre in April 2017 playing the role of Harper in Marianne Elliot’s revival of Tony Kushner’s seminal play Angels in America.

3 4 CAMPUSES CAMPUSES

ALRA NORTH ALRA SOUTH

Our campus in Wigan provides an excellent the Liverpool Everyman, the West Yorkshire Our home in London is at the Royal Victoria Trains to Waterloo and Victoria leave location for students to travel to and from Playhouse, Bolton Octagon and the theatre Patriotic Building, a magnificent Grade every few minutes and take less than Liverpool and Manchester. With the company Northern Broadsides. The school II listed Victorian Gothic building on 10 minutes to reach their destinations. development of Media City and the BBC’s is just five minutes from the main high the edge of Wandsworth Common, There are also direct trains to Shepherd’s move to Manchester, there is a strong street – Standishgate – with its shops, bars, South West London. This is where ALRA Bush and Westfield Shopping Centre. national drama output from BBC Radio clubs and the Grand Arcade shopping has been based for the last 30 years. 4 and Granada TV studios. Increasingly, centre. Wigan Wallgate and Wigan North There is excellent access to the city Although some students might be able agents and casting directors are choosing Western Stations are a 5 minute walk centre for visits to West End theatres, to live at home and commute to ALRA to base themselves in Manchester and away. The running costs in Wigan are fringe theatres and London nightlife. South, most choose to rent properties the surrounding area. Some of the most less expensive than London, which is together in the nearby areas. ALRA holds exciting theatre in the UK is produced in reflected in ALRA’s tuition fees for the Clapham Junction is just a ten-minute Accommodation Days to help with this. the North and Wigan is surrounded by North Campus. Living costs in Wigan walk away and has an array of shops, theatres such as the Royal Exchange, are also cheaper. restaurants and bars. 5 6 COURSES The BA (Hons) Acting programme of study combines practical actor training BA (HONS) ACTING with theoretical study and research 3 YEARS methodologies. This vocational course aims to equip students to operate effectively in a highly competitive artistic industry.

ALRA has a diverse range of specialist tutors who bring out the very best in each individual student.

ALRA provides the highest quality training for students aiming to follow a career as an actor. Based in both Wandsworth, London and Wigan, Greater Manchester, our actor training covers TV & film acting for camera from week one to the end of training.

Students study movement, voice, acting technique, text, stage combat, radio and many other elements required to work as a professional actor.

3 Year Acting students have industry facing opportunities from their second year and showcases and/or panel events in both London and Manchester in their third year – regardless of which campus they choose to study at.

8 BA (HONS) ACTING 3 YEARS

Based at either of the ALRA campuses, • Acting for Stage – Working with a To apply you must be: this is a full-time course delivered over professional director and supported by • 18 years old at the start of the three years. a stage management team, students course (there is no upper age limit prepare and rehearse productions which for applications) Using industry-standard facilities and a are performed for public and industry • Have 112 UCAS tariff points (NB – world-class training curriculum, students audiences exceptional ability and/or considerable are taught in groups of around 14 to • Showcase – Working with a professional life/work experience will be taken 17 students through a combination director or casting director, short scenes into consideration) of rehearsal, workshops, lectures are rehearsed and performed in a • If English is not your first language you and seminars. London and Manchester to an industry must fulfil the language requirements as audience set out on the ALRA website The course includes: • Personal Research Project – Students • Acting – Through a combination of create an original live theatre The BA (Hons) Acting is validated by practical and theoretical classes and performance or a recorded piece for St Mary’s University, London. Students who Scene Study presentations film, television or radio show the most potential at audition are • Actor Voice – Taught by qualified voice eligible for the Level 6 Professional Acting specialists with extensive experience, There are typically 34 contact qualification awarded by Trinity College, using accepted methodologies hours each week consisting of: London in addition to the BA (Hons) • Actor Movement – Taught by movement • 21 hours of lessons Acting. Means tested funding is available specialists qualified in movement to • 11 hours of rehearsal from DaDA (Dance and Drama Awards). Masters level or equivalent in • 2 hours of lectures conservatoire international training • 30 minutes of tutorials Applications should be made online programmes. This module ranges from • Some independent learning via www.alra.co.uk/courses/how-to- a core understanding of how the body apply/online-application works to application of movement to Independent learning is required and character through a range of can vary. When not attending timetabled methodologies sessions, students are expected to • Stage Combat – An intensive training memorise lines, research character and experience, assessed through one solo other aspects of the learning content movement presentation and one group which is then evidenced through blogging, presentation, leading to certificated vlogging or written notation. qualifications • Contextual Studies – An introduction to All learning is supported with access technology and industry expectations in to printed texts on site and thousands preparation for showcasing skills of digital texts through the college • Acting for Camera – Led by a subscriptions. professional film or television director, using a professional director of In the final year, students record showreel photography and sound engineer. scenes, perform in public productions, Students rehearse and record a showcases and panels for industry and ten-minute bespoke script attend events that are designed to launch their professional careers.

9 10 COURSES The ALRA MA in Professional Acting is a full-time actor training programme that MA PROFESSIONAL ACTING has three taught terms followed by two 15 MONTHS performance terms; including one theatre production, recording a film scene and showcases in both London and Manchester. The course is delivered over 15 months.

Taking the ethos and concepts of our BA Acting programme, our MA Professional Acting course explores these concepts at a post-graduate level. Modules focus on the skills and techniques needed for professional acting today and encourages you to view your performance practice as continual development and as a means to further your particular strengths.

Students work individually and as an ensemble with projects in screen acting as well as radio and theatre acting, movement, voice and other vital techniques of the performing arts with opportunities for audition practice to a professional panel.

This is a highly practical course with a high amount of contact hours which reflects the demands of the industry that students are preparing to enter.

12 MA PROFESSIONAL ACTING 15 MONTHS

The MA Professional Acting Course create an original live theatre includes specialist training in: performance or a recorded piece for To apply you must be: • Acting – Through a combination of film, television or radio • 18 years old at the start of the course practical and theoretical classes and (there is no upper age limit for Scene Study presentations Students are supported with rehearsal applications) • The Actors Voice – Taught by qualified space, studio time and specialist equipment • Have an undergraduate degree (NB – voice specialists with extensive as applicable. exceptional ability and/or considerable experience, using accepted life/work experience will be taken into methodologies At the start of each year there is an consideration) • Actor Movement – Taught by movement intensive induction which introduces • If English is not your first language you specialists qualified in movement to the students to teaching methods, must fulfil the language requirements as Masters level or equivalent in research methods, facilities and resources. set out on the ALRA website conservatoire international training Students are assessed through performance programmes. This module ranges from and presentations and also through essays The MA Professional Acting is validated a core understanding of how the body or journals, blogs, v-logs and podcasts. by St Mary’s University, London. works to application of movement to character through a range of Formative assessment tasks which happen Students who show the most potential methodologies throughout the module are marked at audition are eligible for the Level 5 • Stage Combat – An intensive training as Pass/Fail only. This is to encourage Professional Acting qualification awarded experience, assessed through one solo students to focus on the experiential and by Trinity College, London in addition to movement presentation and one group experimental nature of the work over the MA Professional Acting. Means tested presentation, leading to certificated the need to achieve impressive marks. funding is available from DaDA (Dance qualifications and Drama Awards). • Entrepreneurship – An introduction to As is usual in theatre training, students are technology and industry expectations given constant formative feedback in Applications should be made online in preparation for showcasing skills practical classes as well as more formal via www.alra.co.uk/courses/how-to- • Acting for Camera – Led by a feedback on their written assignments apply/online-application professional film or television director, and practical projects in tutorials. using a professional director of photography and sound engineer. There are typically 34 contact hours Students rehearse and record a each week consisting of: ten-minute bespoke script • 21 hours of lessons • Acting for Stage – Working with a • 11 hours of rehearsal professional director and supported by • 2 hours of lectures a stage management team, students • 30 minutes of tutorials prepare and rehearse productions which • Some independent learning are performed for public and industry Independent learning is required and can audiences vary. When not attending timetabled • Showcase – Working with a professional sessions, students are expected to director or casting director, short scenes memorise lines, research character and are rehearsed and performed in a London other aspects of the learning content which and Manchester to an industry audience is then evidenced through blogging, • Personal Research Project – Students vlogging or written notation. 13 14 COURSES Launching in September 2018, the ALRA MA Directing is an innovative programme MA DIRECTING with international placements, industry mentors and space for the exploration of 2 YEARS techniques and approaches. Based at ALRA North and set within the Greater Manchester theatre community, this new course offers high quality, forward thinking connections while allowing students to understand all aspects of working in the profession.

The aim of this course is to develop graduates who will change the demographic of live theatre directors in this country. ALRA will recruit 4-6 student directors with diverse backgrounds and pare them with excellent experiences that will act as a catalyst for their forthcoming career as artists in the live performance industry.

Based at ALRA North, a centre of creative cultural development in the North West, creating high quality, forward thinking connections for all learners, this exciting new course allows directors to really explore their craft and understand all aspects of working in the profession.

Applications should be made via the ALRA website where a full course outline is available. There are no formal entry requirements although we prefer you to have an undergraduate degree in a cognate subject.

The final selection is made by workshop audition over two days involving a practical directing task using a group of current ALRA students as participants. The candidates will be observed within the directing process and then interviewed on how they felt their process evolved.

Applications should be made online via www.alra.co.uk/courses/madirecting

16 MA DIRECTING 2 YEARS

Module Summaries: To apply you must be: The Performer – The core elements of • 18 years old at the start of the course n actor’s training through participation (there is no upper age limit for in voice and movement workshops. applications) • Candidates will be expected to have a The Performance Environment – 2.2 at BA (Hons) in cognate subject or Exploration of the different facets of the will have acquired experience through performance environment and the methods work or other means that enables ALRA by which the director can communicate to be confident of the candidate's ability meaning and narrative to an audience. to succeed in the programme. This The Philosophy of Directing – Developing recognition of prior learning will be a framework that examines the directing gathered in the form of references process, rationalise key decisions and • If English is not your first language you communicate intent clearly with creative must fulfil the language requirements as collaborators. set out on the ALRA website

Producing – Creating a funding bid and The Ma Directing will be validated by developing the skills to produce future St Mary’s University, London. own work.

Culture, Perception and Directing – International Placement (2019 Placement is scheduled for Tokyo, Japan) Giving the learners a new theatrical context for two weeks then they make work that responds to the experience.

Directing Practices - Challenging and enriching the students’ existing practice by exploring directing processes and making a performance that brings together their experiences from the course. This module will include two placements and mentoring from an external industry specialist.

17 COURSES FOUNDATION ACTING – 1 YEAR FOUNDATION ACTING Our Foundation courses can be offered with alternative delivery modes according 1 YEAR to demand. Please check our website for the latest options.

• Acting – Introduction to Acting through the study of various techniques, Audition Preparation

• Voice – Vocal preparation for audition including singing, Technical Voice & Text

• Movement – Introduction to Movement for performance through the study of various practitioners

Students are awarded the ALRA Foundation Acting Certificate on completion.

Many ALRA Foundation students have gone on to study at Drama Schools and Universities 3 Year Degree Programmes.

20 COURSES SHORT COURSES

OTHER COURSES ALRA runs a variety of short courses for students, teachers & professionals. Up-to-date information is available on the website www.alra.co.uk/courses/short-courses.

PARTNERSHIP COURSES

Yellow Academy Course Leader: Kumiko Mendl

Yellow Academy is a summer school run jointly by ALRA and Yellow Earth Theatre for British East Asians interested in acting. Admission is by application followed by audition. The workshop topic varies each year and runs in July. Previous workshops have been around audition preparation and acting for camera.

22 WHAT HELP WILL I GET WITH MY STUDIES? FEES AND FUNDING

• Observation and Taster Days – a chance • Hardship Fund for students in urgent For Fees and Funding please see the latest Depending on personal circumstances to see if our drama training is right for financial need information on the ALRA website and the course undertaken, students can you before accepting your place • Enrichment – activities include: www.alra.co.uk. access funding from a variety of sources. • Accommodation Days – at both centres workshops with and talks from external Students on the Three Year Acting course to put you in touch with estate agents, practitioners and inspiring people as DaDA (Dance and Drama Awards) are means- who are not offered DaDA (Dance and landlords and other students looking well as tickets for shows tested scholarships funded by the Young Drama Awards) are entitled to apply for to rent affordable accommodation • Extra-Curricular Events – theatre trips, People’s Learning Agency and awarded by a Student Loan to assist them with the • Induction Week – at the start of first year sports and social events schools to the students who display the most cost of tuition. to help you settle in • Counselling – for those who struggle to potential to succeed in the profession. • Study skills support for students who cope with the stresses of training. There is currently no funding support need extra help; a high proportion of Sessions are free and confidential All applicants are considered for awards available for students on the Foundation students of creative subjects are dyslexic as part of their audition, and notified if Acting courses. or dyspraxic and ALRA have specialist they have been successful at a later date. staff to help Please note, Dance and Drama Awards Please be aware that the course fees and Student Loans have eligibility vary between ALRA North and ALRA criteria which must be met in order South. All students who are eligible to to receive the funding. receive Student Loan funding are also eligible to apply for a Maintenance DaDA funding is available through ALRA’s Loan to help with living expenses. association with Trinity College, London. ALRA is a private school, working with Please check the ALRA website for partners in Further and Higher Education. the latest fee and funding information.

www.alra.co.uk/courses/how-to- apply/fees-funding

23 24 HOW TO FIND US

OUTREACH PROGRAMME HOW DO I GET A PLACE AT ALRA? ALRA SOUTH ALRA NORTH

As part of ALRA’s commitment to widening Make sure you read the Audition Studio 24, The Annexe, participation and access for all, we offer an Guidelines and related information on our The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Trencherfield Mill, outreach programme for schools, colleges website. You’ll find information about the John Archer Way, Wigan, and universities. audition process and what is expected. London, WN3 4BF. Each of the conservatoire drama schools SW18 3SX The workshops consist of vocal warm-ups, operates slightly differently so it’s worth movement, games, work with text and a taking the time to do some research. Train Stations: Clapham Junction and Train Stations: Wigan Wallgate and Wigan talk from a senior member of staff giving Wandsworth Common. North Western. you a first-hand insight into life at ALRA Each audition at ALRA takes place over Buses: 77 & 219 Buses: 320, 362, 620, 352, 360, 375, 385. South and ALRA North. the course of a few hours. You will need Train: Clapham Junction is a 10 minute Train: Wigan Wallgate and Wigan North to learn two monologues and take part walk away. Western are a 5 minute walk away. Auditions can be booked alongside these in group workshops. It’s an active day Access: Please call us on 020 8870 6475 Access: ALRA North has excellent access workshops – this saves prospective so you’ll need to be dressed appropriately to discuss your needs before setting off for people with disabilities, and we students time and money and allows them and we recommend you bring a drink on your journey. welcome applications from those with to audition in a familiar environment. and snack with you. access needs.

Full details can be found here: ALRA is committed to Audition and/or alra.co.uk/about/schools-outreach- Interview each person who applies for a For more detailed travel and access information visit: www.alra.co.uk programme place to join us. ALRA will Audition and/or Interview thousands of new applicants For more information please contact: 020 8870 6475 each year. Therefore, places are strictly [email protected] limited and it is advise that you apply early www.alra.co.uk in order to guarantee an Audition and/or Interview and avoid disappointment. Company Number: 4306353. Charity Number: 1090724. Registered in England. Registered Office as above. 25 26 For more information please contact: ALRA South +44 (0)20 8870 6475 ALRA North +44 (0) 1942 821021 [email protected] www.alra.co.uk

ALRA Head Office: Studio 24, Royal Victoria Registered Examination Centre 5392 Patriotic Building, John Archer Way, London, SW18 3SX

Company Number: 4306353. Charity Number: 1090724. Registered in England. Registered Office as above.