Alumni
For over a hundred years RADA has been selecting the most talented individuals from the thousands of actors, designers and technicians who audition for a place at the Academy and providing them with the finest vocational training to equip them for their future careers in theatre, film, television and related media. The success of the training is measured by the achievements of the Academy graduates during this period, many of whom maintain a lifetime’s career in the industry either behind the scenes or on stage or screen. In a rapidly changing world, the Academy’s success is also measured by the ability of its graduates to remain at the cutting edge and to help influence those changes rADA festivalThis summer saw the launch of a new Festival at RADA designed especially for our graduates. In the first week of July we opened the doors of the John Gielgud Theatre in Gower Street to showcase work created by alumni, graduating students and staff. We will be continuing the festival next summer, details of how you can be involved will be sent to graduates. The RADA NetworkOver the past 20 years, RADA has been active in developing a close and supportive relationship with its graduates, promoting re-engagement through a whole range of Academy activities. This has been mutually beneficial to graduates and students currently engaged in the training. The Academy aims to open its doors still wider to encourage more graduates to re-engage and contribute to maintaining RADA’s position as a world leader in the field of drama and technical training. The following graduates have agreed to assist the Academy in achieving this and will meet with the Director and Registrar once a term to review and plan graduate activities for the future: Michael Simkins; David Rintoul; Elliot Cowan; Sharon Maughan; Jane Horrocks; David Harewood; Tara Hugo; Simon Robson; Thusitha Jaysundera; Indira Varma; Geoffrey Streatfeild; Michelle Terry; Jo Kloska: Edward Bennett; Pen Stally; Cat Totty; Michael Nabarro; Jack Williams; Charlie Walker-Wise. This year additional graduate activities include:
Opportunities for graduate involvement:
RADA increasingly holds VIP events to nurture potential sponsors or as standard fundraising events. High profile RADA graduates in attendance are a major attraction in ensuring that these events are well attended and successful. For more information contact Patricia Myers at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it RADA Buddy student mentoring schemeRADA’s Buddy scheme was launched by David Rintoul in 2000 and is extremely successful. RADA graduates who have been in the profession for a minimum of 3 years are invited to participate in the scheme to provide mentoring for a final year student. Each student is allocated a minimum of two Buddies each year. The scheme was extended to include technicians in 2008 and we are particularly eager to draw more technical graduates into the programme. For more information contact Patricia Myers at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it RADA’s Outreach ProgrammeRADA has been running a successful Outreach Programme since 1997. In 2009, the Academy appointed graduate Joan Oliver as its Outreach Manager and the programme is growing from strength to strength under her direction. The Academy offers a training programme for RADA graduates to run workshops specifically for the 16-24 age range. These graduates are then employed by RADA to run workshop at RADA and in London and regional schools. RADA New Writing WorkshopsThis programme of new writing workshops has been developed over a number of years by RADA’s dramaturg, Lloyd Trott. New writing is developed and a programme of rehearsed readings is held weekly in the Foyer Bar combining the talents of current students and graduates. RADA Enterprises LtdBusiness TrainingRADA Enterprises Ltd is the business arm of the Academy. Opportunities exist for RADA graduates to join the team performing in “forum theatre” – interactive training sessions involving both scripted scenes and improvisation- or in various forms of role play in a business or local/central government context. For graduates with previous experience of providing business training REL organise “new tutor days” when graduates and tutors are invited to demonstrate their business training ideas and methods to REL staff with a view to becoming part of the RADA In Business tutor team. Cunard ProductionsInitiated by Ellis Jones, and now run by Nona Shepphard, the Academy has developed an excellent relationship with Cunard in providing a regular company of actors to provide onboard workshops and performances on the Queen Mary 2 and other Cunard ships throughout the cruise. This has provided the opportunity for many of our graduates to see the world in style whilst also furthering their career. See a video of Nona talking about her vision for the Cunard project. RADA Enterprises Ltd also provides one-off corporate and private client events tailored specifically for each event. RADA Musical Theatre Cabaret eveningsLed by Tom Wakeley, RADA provides Musical Theatre cabaret evenings as a feature of its Foyer Events programme each term. Participants include RADA graduates and students together with Tom’s guests from the West End. Poetry Reading eveningsThe Poetry evenings, staged as a feature of the Foyer Events programme, are designed to enable RADA poets to read their own work to an invited audience. These are in-house events for RADA graduates and students only. Americas RADA Network (ARN)The Americas RADA Network (ARN) connects RADA graduates living and working in the Americas. They currently have a membership of around 150 graduates from the full-time acting and technical courses. Their website lists current members and regularly updates on graduate activities. Keeping in Touch through the Graduate ForumThe Graduate Forum is currently being developed and aims to provide:
OBITUARIESWe have created a page dedicated to commemorating the lives of some of the wonderful and talented graduates who have recently passed away. |