Period Movement for Actors
Course overview
This course will explore British and European period movement in terms of how an individual behaves according to the established etiquette of their time. We examine the principles and rules of behaviour in three key periods of western social history, including deportment, greetings, social interaction, clothing, and dance.
The course includes the rehearsal of texts, and examines how period-specific movement, style and codes of behaviour relate to their meaning and performance.
Honorific behaviours: governed by the codes of behaviour at the Elizabethan and Jacobean courts, with a focus on the performance of Shakespeare.
Decorums to dissembling: major transitions in fashionable behaviour in the Stuart and Georgian era–referencing Restoration Comedy, including the language of the fan.
The Jazz Age: diving into the 1920s with Ragtime, dancing the Charleston, and considering the work of Noel Coward.
The course is led by Francine Watson Coleman, a movement director and dance consultant of international standing. An Honorary Fellow of RADA, she is currently the Academy’s Period Movement and Style Teacher.
Entry requirements
- Entry is by selection: please complete the application form and provide details of your previous acting experience, as some experience is required.
- Participants must be over 18 and have fluent, confident use and knowledge of the English language.
Who is this course suitable for?
- Primarily for professionals and those preparing for a professional career.
- Amateur performers who are particularly interested in the history of social customs.
- Actors wishing to explore the relationship between text and movement.
Course information
What are the Terms and Conditions of my booking?
You can read the full Terms and Conditions here.
Will there be anything I need to prepare before the course starts?
There will be some pre-reading and preparation of text in readiness for the course.
Is there any work to do outside of class time?
Participants will be encouraged to undertake some further personal preparation work after classes and outside of RADA.
What’s included in the fee?
The fee covers the cost of your tuition for the times advertised above and any materials essential to the course (and not specified here as materials you need to provide yourself). The fee does not include any meals or accommodation.
What materials or equipment do I need?
You need to wear loose clothing that you can move in freely.
I have a disability or access requirement – can reasonable adjustments be made?
We are able to make reasonable adjustments to our training where possible. This course is highly practical involving movement and dance and may include work on the floor. You will also be asked to read from various texts. If you have access requirements and/or require more information on access and facilities in our RADA buildings, please email shortcourses@rada.ac.uk.
Are there any funding or payment plans available?
There are no RADA Scholarships available for Short Courses. We cannot offer payment plans, and full payment is required to secure your place on a course.
Can RADA provide accommodation?
We are unable to provide accommodation for RADA Short Courses.
Please note that in the event of cancellation, RADA can accept no liability for any costs you may already have incurred; and we strongly recommend you purchase insurance cover for any travel or accommodation booked before the start of the course.
Will I get a certificate at the end of the course?
Yes. A Certificate of Completion is available for this course. Certificates are awarded to students who had no unexcused absences or lateness and operated within the obligations laid out in the Terms and Conditions.
Does the course count towards University credits?
There are no University Credits associated with this course.
What is the attendance policy?
Our attendance policy can be read within our Terms and Conditions. 100% attendance and punctuality are expected for all classes.
How do I register for an in-person course?
You will be providing most of the information we need when you fill in your application form or information form.
On the first day of your course, you will be asked to arrive at RADA up to 30 minutes before the start of your first session, and you need to bring a copy of your passport, and, if applicable, evidence of your right to join a short course in the UK.