Acting / Musical Theatre School in London, UK

Arts Educational Schools London:
Welcome to Arts Educational Schools London, located in Chiswick, London Borough of Hounslow in West London. For the last 90 years we have taught and developed some of the worlds leading performing artists across all disciplines. The Arts Educational Professional School offers comprehensive training with specialist musical theatre and acting courses including a one year BA degree course in performance studies, a three year BA degree courses in acting and musical theatre and a one year Masters in acting. We also offer foundation degrees as well as part-time, evening, weekend and holiday courses. Over the years graduates from the School have gone straight into major West End and National theatre productions and musicals, with past students appearing in almost every staged production across the UK. More and more of our graduates can also be seen in regular quality dramas on BBC, ITV and Channel 4 and in British and International feature films.

Foundation Degrees in Performance with the following options:
- Acting
- Musical Theatre
- Writing for Stage and Screen
- Directing
- Producing

The Foundation Course is a one-year part time course that takes place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Classes are 2½ hours and follow a structured modular syllabus. The year consists of thirty three weeks, delivered as three terms with regular half term and end of term breaks.

We aim to create an environment for training that is based on trust, mutual respect and shared passion, allowing students to learn from within a strong ensemble group, which grows from the input of each individual.

One of the criteria for successful completion of the course will be attendance and punctuality – you will be expected to attain a consistently high level.

The Foundation Course culminates in a final performance to which students will be able to invite friends and family.

All Foundation Course students enjoy discounted Arts Educational Schools London theatre tickets, membership to the library and gym and access to the bar and canteen.

Foundation Course in Performance - Writing for Stage and Screen Option:
This course is aimed primarily at students thinking of applying for full-time accredited training at a Drama School or on a practical University course, giving a real taster of what full-time training requires and boosting confidence for auditions. It is also useful for those who wish to test their capacity and commitment to acting and musical theatre. Students are required to have dedication and commitment, as the course runs according to strict professional discipline. It aims to teach the craft and skills required by a performer at the beginning of their professional training.

Foundation Degree in Preformance - Directing option:
This course is aimed primarily at students thinking of applying for full-time accredited training at a Drama School or on a practical University course, giving a real taster of what full-time training requires and boosting confidence for auditions. It is also useful for those who wish to test their capacity and commitment to acting and musical theatre. Students are required to have dedication and commitment, as the course runs according to strict professional discipline. It aims to teach the craft and skills required by a performer at the beginning of their professional training.

1 Year Post Diploma BA(Hons) Performance Studies:
21 years +

During the last 20 years Acting and Musical Theatre schools with NCDT or CDET accredited courses have actively sought university association and degree status for their courses. The PDBA was conceived because it was felt that any student with a Diploma in Acting or Musical Theatre from any UK NCDT or CDET accredited Drama Course should have access to a qualification at Degree level.

It is deemed that the completion of a three year accredited full time vocational course plus the PDBA conversion course are comparable to the training received by courses that are presently award degrees, and this is why the PDBA can offer, via conversion, a full BA Honours degree in Performance studies.

This academic course will enable the student to reflect with greater depth on various aspects of their previous training and to emerge with a qualification that is broadly recognised, transferable and a base upon which further study and career development can be built.

It will extend the student’s theoretical experience of a range of performance styles and their understanding of the value and process of research.

It will enable the student to articulate ideas in both oral and written form, to create seminar presentations and to focus on a particular aspect of the performing arts in a final dissertation.

3 Year/BA Hons Acting:
The acting course trains actors to work in a contemporary, industry-relevant environment and, as a consequence, we offer a thorough training in film and television to run alongside the more established training for theatre and radio.

- We aim to produce actors who can employ strong vocal and physical skills to express a complex understanding of the inner lives of their characters, together with an ability to represent subtle and complex character relationships in a variety of performance contexts.

- We create an environment for training that is based on trust, mutual respect and passion, so the students will be secure enough to take huge creative risks.

The course is constructed to take the students on a creative journey that allows them to develop their individual skills to become inventive and imaginative actors. They discover how to use their unique personalities in the creation of truthful and original characters.

3 year BA Hons Musical Theatre:
The Musical Theatre programmes develop students as ‘triple threat’ performers, offering multiple skills in Singing, Acting and Dancing.

Students will have the opportunity to work alongside prominent industry figures, including; directors, musical directors and choreographers to build their skills to become confident performers ready for the professional industry and further education.

Students in receipt of Dance and Drama Award (see Grants and Awards section) who successfully complete the 3yr course will also be awarded the National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre (3 years).

The 3yr Musical Theatre course is validated by City University and accredited by the Council for Dance Education and Training.

The Musical Theatre course is structured to take each student on a creative learning journey that allows them to develop individual and group skills required to become intelligent, imaginative all round performers.

They will discover how to develop their own personalities to perform with confidence, character, musicality and style.

In Years One and Two the three core skills required by a musical theatre performer are developed in Dance, Singing and Acting.

The weekly dance classes will cover the many different disciplines required by today’s performers; Jazz, Classical ballet, pas de deux, Tap, Street Jazz and contemporary dance.

Every student receives weekly one to one singing and repertoire tuition, weekly ensemble classes, weekly performance and acting through song classes.

The acting workshops will build students confidence in performance, learning a wide range of acting styles and techniques alongside gaining important tools needed to develop a well supported and expressive voice.

The third and final year of the course is a production year aimed to get students ready for the professional environment. Students will perform on a regular basis and participate in full scale public performances, equipping each student with the stamina to go straight into professional productions.

The training culminates in a West End showcase for an invited audience of industry figures including casting directors, agents, producers, directors and choreographers.

Part-time Courses:
We also offer part-time, evening, Saturday and holiday courses for children, youth and adults.