Part-time Blended Foundation Course in Acting (non-HE)
This course will give you a solid grounding in actor training through a blend of online and in-person learning. You'll explore key skills and acting techniques, develop a robust rehearsal practice and grow in confidence, preparing you to pursue a career in acting.
The accelerated nature of the course is designed to engage participants who have studied drama previously but have not had opportunity to immerse themselves in practical, vocational training.
Applications are reviewed and offers will be made on a rolling basis until 31 January 2024. We would therefore advise you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Taught by RADA tutors and directors, this part-time course provides a rigorous training in the foundations of acting, enabling you to develop rehearsal and performance practice, grow in confidence and understand the necessary skills needed to pursue a career in acting.
This course is designed for people with some experience of acting training, who are able to learn at an accelerated pace. The blended structure makes the most of the advantages of participants being in their own environment for certain activities, whilst also being able to work collaboratively in a rehearsal room. A timetable incorporating evenings, weekends and whole days facilitates participants who do not have the option of studying full-time.
You will have skills classes in:
- acting technique (focusing on Stanislavski, Meisner and Hagen)
- movement
- voice
- singing (group and solo)
- scene study and monologues
Specialist classes in:
- acting for camera
- introduction to playwriting
- introduction to filmmaking
- world theatre
- theatrical genres
- devising
Rehearsal projects:
- contemporary playwrights
- Realist movement
- Shakespeare
This course is not accredited and is therefore non-award bearing. In addition, please note that there is no student finance available for this course.
Entry requirements
- Selection by audition. You must have previous experience of acting training. Please see the application form for more information.
- Participants must be over 18 and have fluent, confident use and knowledge of the English language.
- Participants are required to attend all in-person and online sessions.
2024
The Part-Time Blended Foundation Course in Acting is delivered over a six-month period, online and in-person at RADA.
The programme is rigorous and involves evening and Saturday work, as well as intensive in-person periods. Please ensure you will be able to attend all sessions of this course.
March intensive:
In-person at RADA:
Monday 4 – Saturday 9 March, 10am–5pm
13 – 27 March 2024:
Online:
Wednesday 6.30pm–9.30pm
In-person at RADA:
Saturday 10am–5pm
April intensives:
In-person at RADA:
Tuesday 2 – Friday 5 April, 10am–5pm
Monday 8 – Friday 12 April, 10am–5pm
Monday 15 – Saturday 20 April, 10am–5pm
22 April – 6 July 2024:
Online:
Monday* 6.30pm–9.30pm
Wednesday 6.30pm–9.30pm
In-person at RADA:
Saturday 10am–5pm
Summer intensives:
In-person at RADA:
Monday 8 – Friday 12 July, 10am–5pm
Monday 15 – Friday 19 July, 10am–5pm
Monday 22 July – Friday 26 July, 10am–5pm
Monday 29 July – Friday 2 August, 10am–5pm
Monday 5 – Friday 9 August 10am–5pm
Monday 12 – Friday 16 August 10am–5pm
Monday 19 – Friday 23 August 10am–5pm
*due to bank holidays, there will be no Monday sessions on 1 April, 6 May and 27 May.
This is a non-accredited course which does not attract government funding. All participants offered places on the Part-Time Blended Foundation Course in Acting are required to fund both the course fee and all living costs privately. Note the approximate living cost for living in London while studying is £1300 per month.
Applications will be accepted and offers made on a rolling basis until 31 January 2024. We therefore strongly suggest that you apply as early as possible.
Applying for the Part-Time Blended Foundation Course in Acting is a two-stage process:
- Preliminary audition
- Workshop day at RADA* – October – February
Final Workshop Audition:
Saturday 3 February 2024
Do note that, due to the volume of Applicants we audition, we do not provide feedback after either stage.
*Workshops will replicate the working experience at RADA, and in the profession, and may include physical and close eye contact with other applicants. If you have difficulties with these working methods, please alert the Short Courses team prior to these audition rounds and suitable adjustments will be made, where possible.
Preliminary audition: self-tape
Applicants are invited to submit a video self-tape audition via the application form. The preliminary audition will consist of three audition speeches (two classical, one contemporary) and a song, filmed in one continuous take. Each speech should last a maximum of two minutes, and your song should be unaccompanied (verse and chorus only), no longer than a minute and a half. We will also ask you to give us some information about yourself and your work.
Read our self-tape guide here.
RADA cannot provide advice on the suitability of your speech choices before you submit your video audition.
Workshop day: in-person at RADA
This is the final stage, and you will need to be ready to perform and workshop the 3 speeches you submitted on your self-tape. You will then have an individual interview with our Course Director, lasting approximately 10 minutes. Our intention is that the day is relaxed and enjoyable for all applicants so that, regardless of the outcome, you will have had an enriching experience.
Read guidance on the application procedure, including choosing your speeches and next steps.
There is an application fee of £39, which you will need to pay at the end of the form before you submit it – so please make sure you have a payment method ready.
Information for disabled applicants
We welcome applications from disabled applicants and encourage them to disclose relevant information regarding any disability when completing their application form, to enable us to provide additional support during the interview process.
There is no government funding (Disabled Students’ Allowance) available for this programme but we will discuss any specific learning needs with the individual, prior to their joining. If you are a disabled candidate and would like further advice or guidance, please contact us at shortcourses@rada.ac.uk
Information for International participants
Please note that this course meets the requirements for a Standard Visitor Visa.
Candidates must be at least 18 by the start of course to apply for the Part-Time Blended Foundation Course in Acting.
Application is by audition only; no academic qualifications are required.
No, this course has an entirely separate application process. Please see the 'Applying' section above for more information.
RADA accepts up to 28 participants on the Part-Time Blended Foundation Course in Acting each year.
You will get an automated message to confirm we have received your application. Applications are reviewed as they are submitted, and group workshop auditions are offered to successful candidates on a first come, first served basis.
If you are ill on the day, please email shortcourses@rada.ac.uk in advance of your audition.
Where possible, we will try to provide an alternative date, but this may not be possible as it is dependent on where we are in the auditions process.
We are unable to provide audition feedback at all stages of the process due to the large number of applicants.
RADA does not currently have its own accommodation, but we can provide a list of local housing providers to participants.
You can read the full Terms and Conditions here.
There are no University Credits associated with this course.
Yes. A Certificate of Completion is available for this course. Certificates are awarded to participants who had no unexcused absences or lateness and operated within the obligations laid out in the Terms and Conditions.
Our attendance policy can be read within our Terms and Conditions. 100% attendance and punctuality are expected for all classes.
Participants will be encouraged to undertake some further personal preparation work after classes and outside of RADA.