Bristol Old Vic Theatre School An AffiliAte of the ConservAtoire for DAnCe & DrAmA GUIDE TO COURSES Acting, Technical, Production and Management. World Class training – mADe in Bristol 1 Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Recognised as one of this country's leading Conservatoire Drama Schools, training students in a professional environment for careers in the Arts and Entertainment Industry. operating on three specialist teaching Contents Page sites and performing in the major producing theatre venues in Bristol, Professional Acting (FdA) (BA Hons) 4–9 our students are trained to the highest Professional Stage standards for direct entry into work Management in theatre, film or radio drama on (FdA) (BA Hons) 10–15 completion of their course. Costume (FdA)+ BA(Hons) top-up 16–17 We have a long history of the school has an outstanding graduate Theatre Design (MA) 18–19 producing nationally and employment record and an international Scenic Art (PG Dip) 20-21 globally recognised actors. reputation as a centre of excellence. Drama Directing (MA) 22-23 We have strong links with all aspects of Theatre Arts the industry across the UK and beyond. Management (PG Dip) 24–25 Theatre Production We regard students as ‘professionals in Management (PG Dip) 26–27 training’: their first day at the school is Further information 28-29 the first day of their career. Other courses 30 Application details 31 Photo: Edward Gant’s Amazing Feats of Loneliness (Directors’ Cuts 2013 at the Alma tavern theatre) 2 3 Professional Acting courses pages 6–9 The offer of a place on an acting course indicates our belief that the applicant possesses the necessary talent and dedication and has every prospect of an enjoyable and successful career in a very demanding and competitive profession. We help each student to present and communicate their unique and individual personality to the public. Photo: The Merry Wives of Windsor (redgrave theatre, spring 2014) 4 5 Professional Acting Two year (FdA) (UK/EU) Three year (BA Hons) (UK/EU) The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School During the first year of the course students are trained in: has been training actors for nearly Voice and Speech, receiving seventy years and includes, amongst classes in: voice and speech technique, text study, verse its past acting students, Daniel Day- speaking, dialect work and sight Lewis, Jeremy Irons, Naomie Harris, reading; Movement, with classes in Pilates, Alexander Technique, Olivia Colman, Greg Doran (Artistic Actors' Movement, Period Dance Director of the RSC), Malcolm and Stage Combat; Acting, with classes on Acting Technique, Text Sinclair (Chairman of Equity) and Study, Improvisation, Audition many other well-known faces from Practice, Acting to Camera, Radio Drama and Microphone the entertainment industry. Technique; Singing and Musical its philosophy is rooted firmly in the reality of the Theatre. day-to-day business of the profession and from A Typical Day in the First Year its beginnings it has taken great pride in producing will start at 8.45am prompt with a physical and vocal limber. inspired and skilful working actors who can expect Punctuality is essential. Actors long and fruitful careers. its reputation in the who are late don’t usually business is second to none. in line with this, we work for the same employer deliberately do not teach any specific ‘method’ of twice! The limber is followed by acting regarding it as our task to help you to find three, ‘basics’ classes, eg. Voice, your own, personal approach to the work. Movement and Acting. The afternoon starts with a the school’s full-time acting staff have all worked further session, which may be professionally in the industry and a number still a basics class. manage to do so, using their recent professional Text Interpretation projects experiences to inform their teaching and keep it consist typically of scenes from up-to-date. students are also taught by a number plays of a given style or period of freelance working professionals. (Elizabethan, Restoration, 19th Century, Modern, etc.). the two-year fdA and the three-year BA acting The Final Year (both FdA & BA) courses (overleaf) follow the same patterns in All acting students consists mainly of production their first and final years, differing mainly in the work and professional launch. take part in a showcase fact that the three-year BA has a middle year, Each actor is cast in one main- which consists mainly of performance. house production per term performance in the West During their final year our actors are auditioned/ alongside preparation of show- reels and voice-reels, by auditions interviewed by upwards of eighteen top agents End to potential employers. for agents and casting directors and casting directors who give notes on their work and, by special skills workshops and advice on their future careers. in late April (voices for animation, voice-over, they take part in a West end audition showcase to etc.) and continuing basics classes Photo: potential employers. and other performance work. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum ( tobacco factory theatres,6 Autumn 2013) APPLY DIRECT TO THE SCHOOL NOT THROUGH UCAS www.oldvic.ac.uk 7 Professional Acting Three year BA Hons (UK/EU) We want our actors to go into the profession confident Designed for students who are new to higher education, the three Year that they can hold their own BA honours Degree follows the same in any of the main areas of pattern as the two Year fdA except the business, from classical that they have a middle year. plays and modern classics, to The Middle Year. feature films, TV, radio drama this second year is taken up mainly by three major touring projects and musicals. during which performance skills are developed to a high degree, enabling To this end we develop their actors with little previous experience voices and speech, their of theatre to enter their final year bodies and their movement, confident of their skills and technique. their creativity and their the first tour, during the autumn term, is usually a tour of a nativity knowledge of the approaches play which goes to primary schools in and techniques of acting. Bristol and gives the acting student an opportunity to put into practice the basic skills and techniques they have learnt in their first year in a secure environment. Two year FdA (UK/EU) the second tour performs in junior the two Year foundation Degree in schools with a specially prepared Professional Acting is suitable for the script – most recently these have more mature applicant who already has been adaptations of shakespeare some experience of the wider world plays. this gives the actor the chance and is therefore suitable for graduates to present more sophisticated ideas, and those who have worked to support language and character to a young themselves either in the theatre or audience. Each actor another area of employment. the final term’s project is a major tour the first year of the course comprises of twenty four West Country venues. should have an intensive training in technique and Between the tours the student w ill skills, while the second concentrates on attend classes which develop from achieved production and preparation for joining their first year’s training, have the the profession. opportunity to do some modern representation text work with a young professional director and further develop their by an agency of radio and TV technique. high integrity and reputation. Photo: The Comedy of Errors (schools tour, spring 2014) 8 APPLY DIRECT TO THE SCHOOL NOT THROUGH UCAS www.oldvic.ac.uk 9 Professional Stage Management, Technical, Production and Management courses. pages 12–27 Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is unique in the breadth of its professional training opportunities and industry- standard facilities. Students across all courses work together on the School’s productions and recordings, creating a company feel to the training, with everyone working to professional disciplines and deadlines. Students are trained in small groups, allowing individual attention both to their skills training and career advice. Great emphasis is placed on preparing students for future and sustainable employment through placements, exhibitions of work and interviews with potential Photo: employers, specific to the set of Pericles (redgrave theatre, spring 2013) course they are on. 10 11 Professional Stage Management Three year (BA Hons) and Two year (FdA) Stage Management courses at self-motivation and to be physically and mentally fit to be offered a place on Bristol Old Vic Theatre School these courses; you should already have offer students a practical, some practical experience of work on hands-on training, equipping school, college or amateur productions. it is advisable to talk to professionals in them for direct entry into the the industry to gain a clear idea of what industry on completion. the working life can be like. the two courses (BA Hons or Foundation Graduates from our stage management Degree) have a similarity of approach in and technical training courses are that they cover the range of knowledge, employed in an ever-increasing range of skills and understanding required for a professional organisations including sustainable professional career in the the RSC, national theatre, Birmingham Arts and entertainment industry. rep, manchester royal exchange, Birmingham royal Ballet, salisbury students learn in a professional Playhouse, stage technologies, White environment, taught by industry light, Bristol old vic, West end shows specialists using current technologies and UK musical tours. and practice. students specialising in film and TV find Both courses, and naturally the careers, employment on feature films, TV post- involve hard work and long hours and production, Animation and a wide range are not for the faint hearted. You will of independent film production.