Join Central for a free, 3-day taster of Drama School life at Liverpool Everyman.

Tuesday 7th April: From Model to Mark-up:

Backstage Theatre Skills, set design, scenic construction and technical theatre

Wednesday 8th April: From Script to Stage

Acting in Action, acting training, movement, voice and scene work.

Thursday 9th April: Making Original Performance

Drama and the Arts, creating performance about real issues and communities.

There is no charge for these sessions, and although these sessions are open to all - priority will be given to participants who meet one of the eligibility criteria.

Is money stopping you from taking part in music, dance or drama?

NAYT grant music bursariesdance bursaries and drama bursaries, up to £1,000 each, to talented young people aged 12-25 who can’t afford to access opportunities in the arts. A bursary typically pays for a year’s part time dance, music or drama classes, and it can be used to cover some other expenses and costs too, including tuition fees at drama school.

They open applications for bursaries several times a year, and the next deadline is 3 June 2026. If you apply after this, we’ll consider your application in the next round. Sign up to their newsletter and they’ll keep you posted about future deadlines.

This fast track degree, taught by current industry professionals, provides a two year route into the theatre production industry whether in stage management, lighting, sound or AV across theatre, festivals and events. In association with Tobacco Factory Theatres and Bristol Old Vic Theatre, you experience two working theatres and learn technical theatre crafts from experienced professionals in a way that’s more similar to an apprenticeship.

The course is limited to just 12 students to re-create a professional working environment and culture from day one. There is a national shortage of skilled technical staff in the theatre and live events industries and Technical Theatre Arts graduates are in high demand. BSA’s strong industry networks help open doors to a rewarding career.

Designed as an accelerated pathway, this two-year degree packs 40 weeks of teaching into each year, matching the total teaching time of traditional three-year degrees. This means you enter the workforce sooner whilst saving more than £10,000 in tuition fees and living costs combined.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

    • A MAXIMUM OF 12 STUDENTS PER YEAR
      Such a small number gives you unrivalled levels of 1-2-1 teaching and support.
    • A COURSE PARTNERED WITH 2 PROFESSIONAL THEATRES
      The course runs in association with Bristol Old Vic Theatre and Tobacco Factory Theatres, giving you the opportunity to work in 4 different professional spaces.
    • WORK IN A PROFESSIONAL SETTING
      From day 1 you’ll be in an independent production office working with a professional team, feeling more like you’re on an apprenticeship.
    • PATHWAYS
      You can take control of your own pathway in either stage management, lighting design or sound design.
    • A 2 YEAR COURSE
      Designed to give you the skills and contacts to get you out to work in the industry faster.
We are delighted to invite you to our Industry Day, designed to give you a practical insight into technical theatre and show how you can study it at BSA. Suitable for year 11 and above.
Location: Bristol Old Vic Theatre, King Street
Date: Wednesday 15th April 2026
Time: 9:45 - 17:00
Please note this is a complimentary day. 
The day will give you the opportunity to experience what it's like to train at BSA through a series of practical workshops led by our regular tutors. You will take part in three sessions covering key areas of your future training, meet staff and fellow offer holders, and experience the creative environment that defines our programme.
What to Expect
  • Welcome and introduction with tutors and staff.
  • Two practical workshops exploring areas of technical theatre arts training.
  • Tour of the theatre and its facilities, including a tour of our set for The Plough and the Stars.
  • Opportunity to meet current students and staff.
  • Meet the Cast session at the end of the day in the Western Studio at Bristol Old Vic, where you will meet our graduating class performing The Plough and the Stars, directed by our Head of School, Stuart Wood.
Complimentary Performance Ticket
 
We are pleased to offer all attendees one FREE ticket to see The Plough and the Stars on the evening of Wednesday 15th April at 7:30pm.
To claim your complimentary ticket, please confirm in your RSVP:
  • Your attendance at the Industry Day
  • Whether you would like to receive a free performance ticket
Further details, including what to bring, what to wear etc., will be shared closer to the date.
We look forward to welcoming you and giving you a closer look at like at Bristol School of Acting. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience our training first hand and to ask any questions that might help you decide what you're going to do with your future studies.

Do you have an idea or a story to tell? Can you imagine it performed live, by actors on a stage? It’s time to start your playwriting journey. 

The Young Playwrights Award is a free, open-access competition for any teenager in the UK interested in writing a play. 

Your play can be about anything you want or imagine: something that inspires you, a story not told before, or ideas that challenge the world around you. To help you get the most out of the experience, we also offer support and advice at every step - including dedicated resources for schools and groups getting involved, and a free workshop at the Royal Court on Tuesday 31 March.

Perfect for anyone aged 18+ interested in acting for screen.

This two-day course will introduce you to the techniques and skills required for acting in film and television. Learn key techniques including how to prepare for a scene, be present and how to connect with your scene partner, to give authentic and truthful performances.

You can expect to: Explore the differences between acting for stage and screen; Learn how to analyse a scene quickly and accurately; How to prepare for a scene; Work on short, scripted scenes; Learn about visual storytelling; Draw on your own life experience using the mindset technique; Utilize your imagination to bring an inner life to characters; Develop your confidence in front of a camera.

Some preparation work including reading and learning short, scripted scenes, will be required as part of the course.

Dates: Sat 18 – Sun 19 Jul 2026

Cost: £285

Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026

Perfect for anyone aged 17+ who has an interest in acting and would be interested in applying for Drama School or an equivalent programme. It is also open to actors who are interested in improving their general audition technique.

Whether you are interested in developing a speech for drama school or university or just generally improving your audition technique, this two-day course will give you an insight and introduction into the tools you need to succeed.

You will look at: How to choose a speech and what to look for; Practical exercises that can be used to unlock the speech and enhance understanding; Discussion on the audition environment and techniques to encourage relaxation and readiness; Tips and techniques to bring the speech to life.

You will be expected to engage in practical tasks on the speeches that you bring to the course to work on. The atmosphere will be informal and welcoming. You will need to choose a Shakespeare speech and a modern speech that you connect with in advance of the course.

Dates: Sat 1 – Sun 2 Aug 2026

Cost: £285

Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026

Perfect for anyone aged 17+ who has an interest in acting and would be interested in applying for Drama School or an equivalent programme. It is also open to actors who are interested in improving their general audition technique.

Whether you are interested in developing a speech for drama school or university or just generally improving your audition technique, this two-day course will give you an insight and introduction into the tools you need to succeed.

You will look at: How to choose a speech and what to look for; Practical exercises that can be used to unlock the speech and enhance understanding; Discussion on the audition environment and techniques to encourage relaxation and readiness; Tips and techniques to bring the speech to life.

You will be expected to engage in practical tasks on the speeches that you bring to the course to work on. The atmosphere will be informal and welcoming. You will need to choose a Shakespeare speech and a modern speech that you connect with in advance of the course.

Dates: Sat 11 – Sun 12 Apr 2026

Cost: £285

Deadline to book: 5pm, Thursday 9 April 2026

Perfect for anyone aged 14 to 17 with an interest in creative writing. No experience is required, just interest and enthusiasm.

Put pen to paper, let your imagination roam free and conjure your creativity with this new two-day course, led by London writer Annie Hayter.

Working with Annie, you will explore a range of literary texts including poetry and fiction, and will use artwork, photographs and songs to inspire your own creative writing. You will learn to draft and develop your own stories and explore the best ways to present, perform and publish them. 

Maybe you want to write about your pet goose Doris, an imagined day in the life of your favourite popstar or whatever is important to you, this course will be a warm and open space for you to freely express yourself and delve into the depths of your imagination.

Dates: Sat 18 – Sun 19 Jul 2026

Cost: £230

Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026

Work with a professional director to create a full play in just 5 days.

For young people aged 12 to 15, Wac Arts one-week summer program offers an exciting opportunity to work with a professional director and create a full play in just 5 days! 

Over the course of the week, participants will collaborate as a team to explore the world of the play, develop their characters, and rehearse their lines. The week will culminate in a live performance for friends and family, showcasing the incredible work they’ve put in. This is a fantastic option for anyone interested in joining the Wac Arts Actors Company or Junior Actors Company, or for anyone looking to have fun, make new friends, and enjoy a creative, welcoming environment full of artistic energy.

Dates: Monday 27 July – Friday 31 July

Times: 9:30am – 15:30

Bursaries:

They offer limited Bursary places to support those with specific circumstances.

Book before 17 April 2026 to receive £20-off

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