Spotlight on: Part-Time Blended Acting Foundation

Can you tell us about this course, and what participants can expect to learn?

This is a six-month course designed to give a really solid grounding in actor training, through a blend of online and in-person learning. The programme is rigorous and involves evening sessions online, Saturday work at RADA, as well as intensive in-person periods where we work closely as a group. The course covers all aspects of actor training; participants will get to grips with techniques from practitioners including Stanislavski, Meisner and Hagen, and work on key skills in voice, movement and acting for camera. They’ll also do plenty of text work, monologues and scene study with a focus on contemporary, classical and Shakespearean drama. We also focus on expanding knowledge and experience outside of purely actor training, with sessions in playwriting, world theatre and the history of acting. It’s a comprehensive and varied course.

Participants will discover creative arts that naturally connect to acting, including directing and devising. In addition to acting and rehearsal skills, they will grow in confidence and learn many life skills through this course. Whether acting is a career they want to pursue or not, participants on this course will learn skills that will take them very far; from communication and teamwork to finding – and trusting – their own voices. This course helps to develop a deep sense of self-confidence, explored through the prism of acting.

What is blended learning? And how can it enhance the participant experience?

Blended learning is a mix of online and in-person classes, and I think it’s a brilliant way to learn. First and foremost, it makes this type of training much more feasible for a wider range of people, as it facilitates working around other commitments such as jobs and families, or people that live outside of London. It means that participants have the opportunity to fit this course and the work it entails into their daily lives, which is good practice for life as an actor. The exercises we’ll cover are a vital part of daily practice in an actor’s life, so learning to do them in a variety of environments is very helpful. I think that certain activities and exercises actually work better when conducted online and in your own space. Text analysis, scene study, technique work with personal objects can often be better because you’re in an environment that feels comfortable and natural to you. We make use of break-out rooms and use scripts and texts for these exercises that really enhance that. Since 2020 the world has got much more used to learning and working in a ‘hybrid’ way, and this course means people can continue doing that.

How will this course prepare participants for their future in acting?

This course gives participants the requisite knowledge to create an autonomous practice that can help them in their future careers. People can go on to apply for the BA or, for the more experienced participants, to apply for MA study. People with prior acting experience could also use this as an opportunity to assess their options moving into a career in acting, or pivoting towards a certain sector of the industry. And for those that don’t wish to pursue a career in acting, they’ll have a toolkit of skills, confidence and experience to really stand out in whatever field they choose.

Finally, what are you most excited about for this course?

I think the structure is really exciting, because it facilitates a diverse cohort which will enable everyone to get the most out of the experience. For me as Course Director, the range of experiences and background brings such a richness to the work we do together. It’s a robust and detailed programme that I think people will get a lot out of – I’m really looking forward to it!

Still have some questions? Get in touch with us shortcourses@rada.ac.uk.