Revolutionary drama school training in North London

Fourth Monkey’s BA (Hons) Acting Degree offers some of the most comprehensive and contemporary training for artists entering the industry today. An intensive approach incorporates all the relevant disciplines vital for a successful career in this ever-changing and rapidly-diversifying industry.

The training includes five public performance seasons, one being an industry showcase, as well as a professionally produced acting showreel and voice reel.

With an alumni employment rate of 84% within 12 months of graduation, Fourth Monkey’s BA (Hons) Acting Accelerated Degree is suitable for those looking to forge a career as a professional actor and theatre maker. Fourth Monkey’s Acting Degree offers innovative and cutting-edge actor training with opportunities unparalleled in contemporary actor training.

This course provides students with the unique experience of training in an ensemble environment. You will learn by working alongside established industry professionals, whilst also creating and producing your own work and becoming industry ready. Gain the skills necessary for a career of longevity and variety with this revolutionary training and Fourth Monkey’s ethos of ensemble.

There are also opportunities to gain a bursary for the winner of Fourth Monkey’s Experimental Fringe Project, professional and paid employment with our professional ensemble company, the Fourth Monkey Ensemble, and continued professional career development, maintenance and guidance through masterclasses and workshops on Fourth Monkey’s Actor’s Co-Lab programme post-graduation.

FALMOUTH UNIVERSITY AND FOURTH MONKEY ACTOR TRAINING COMPANY PARTNERSHIP

Fourth Monkey’s BA (Hons) Acting accelerated degree is awarded by Falmouth University, which has been ranked gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, the new classification of degree teaching standards. Gold is reserved for institutions where teaching, retention and graduate outcomes are consistently outstanding and are of the highest quality found in the UK.

Falmouth University has a history of over 100 years at the leading edge of creativity and is now at the forefront of driving innovation and entrepreneurialism across the creative economy with its mission of ‘‘doing it for real’’.

Below is an outline of the key features of the programme:

"The Fourth Monkey training is my personal steel core, I’ll always have it and I can depend on it. This place is me and I am this place. I’m so proud to be a graduate of this school.” - Amy Rushnet, Alumni 2019

An exciting festival for people aged 25 and under


Almeida For Free is an exciting festival for people aged 25 and under. The festival gives young people the chance to see our productions for free, and to also take part in workshops, panel discussions and masterclasses that cover everything from acting and writing, to theatre-making and design.

It is a celebration of young people’s creativity that takes over the whole theatre and aims to give an insight into the way shows are created at the Almeida.

A grant of £3000 for a talented female applicant originating from within the county of Tyne and Wear. The intent of this grant is to support individuals with long standing family ties to this area, and who would otherwise be unable to attend due to financial constraints.

Jack Petchey's flagship programme is the Achievement Award Scheme, which recognises outstanding young people aged 11-25 across London and Essex.

Each year the Jack Petchey Foundation recognises circa 12,000 Achievement Award winners and invest £3.5 million through the Achievement Awards scheme. The winners are young people who have gone above and beyond to achieve - perhaps when others might fail.

Awards mean different things to different people. The Achievement Awards are not solely for academic achievement - they may be used to recognise a personal triumph for someone who has faced a challenge, a young person who has pushed themselves outside their comfort zone or it may be an opportunity to recognise the outstanding effort of a team player.

A young person is nominated by their peers in their school or youth organisation. An important part of the scheme is the involvement of young people in selecting the award winners for their work and efforts. The Jack Petchey Foundation want young people to recognise and celebrate the success of their peers.

Each winner will receive a certificate, pin badge and a book from Sir Jack himself. They will also choose how to spend a £300 grant to benefit their school or organisation.

The award has been named after the great Victorian Philanthropist, George Peabody. LSMT has established this Grant for those who are unable to afford to attend our training and who are currently underrepresented in the Industry.

The funding is designated for those of African or Caribbean heritage, South, East and South East Asian heritage, Middle-Eastern heritage or those who identify as bi-racial or multi-racial. There are several Grants of up to £5000 available.

Musicians really benefit from support which enables them to focus on three key areas of their career at the same time: their creative portfolio, their business development and their health & wellbeing. Which is why we provide support that covers each of these vital aspects.

Music creators can apply for financial support of up to £3,000 towards recording and releasing music; helping to build creative portfolios and get music out into the world.

To help musicians build long-term, sustainable plans around their creativity, we also facilitate one-to-one advice sessions from professionals in the music industry on topics chosen by you in your application.

When musicians are busy creating music, it can be challenging to notice when things aren't quite right. As well as the above, supported artists will also receive a health consultation from a specialist to talk through and address any issues.

Applications for 2023 entry will open from September 2022

Our Musical Theatre degree is designed to prepare performers for a sustainable career in the fast-paced Musical Theatre industry. Through studio practise and professional training, you will develop as an authentic, multi-faceted performing artists, undertaking high level acting, dance and singing training within the unique environment of a leading European music conservatoire.

Taught in small groups for your practical work and training, you will hone your skills through tuition in singing, acting, movement/mime/physical theatre and voice. Dance training will involve classes in ballet, tap and jazz, inclusive of the varying jazz styles (street, commercial, lyrical and contemporary) found in the modern industry.

You will work with practitioners from Leeds Playhouse, professional directors and expert Musical Theatre educators who will train you to the highest standard. In your third year, you will work toward full scale Musical Theatre performances, including an industry showcase where casting agents and industry insiders will be invited to watch you perform.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship will be awarded by the Conservatoire as part of the audition/selection process on the combined basis of merit and financial need. The Scholarship will cover course fees only and will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Please note that applications made directly to The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation will not be considered.

Collaboration between musicians and creatives such as lighting designers, choreographers and visual artists can make music even more powerful. However, financing these activities can be a barrier to making them a reality, which is why Help Musicians can provide financial support to help develop new ideas and create a collaborative end product with music at its heart.

Musicians can apply for up to £5,000 to undertake a UK-based collaboration between themselves and another non-music artists, for example storytellers, lighting designers, choreographers, technologists, scientists, gaming designers, theatre directors, visual artists etc.

There should be tangible results of the collaboration, such as a body of work created for an upcoming recording or a new performance. Ultimately, the project should push the boundaries of what you do as a music creator or performer, exploring or testing something that you are not currently able to achieve without support.

You can apply for financial support of up to £5,000 towards the cost of touring where it is possible to show the clear impact it will have on your career development.

We understand the impact live performance and touring can have on a musician’s professional development, it's important for building your fanbase, increasing confidence and developing your performing skills, as well as offering you a chance to test new ideas. In the future, you may also find that touring could become an important part of your income generation.

We recognise that musicians work best when they maintain their creativity, health and careers simultaneously, so in addition to the financial support offered as part of this grant, you will receive business advice to help grow your skills, and guidance on healthy practice to support you in maintaining your wellbeing.

Awardees receive:
- up to £5,000 in financial support towards touring and live activities.

- one-to-one business advice sessions tailored to your needs and delivered via experienced music industry professionals, supported by Jonathan Robinson at ThinkMusic

- one-to-one health consultation with British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) professionals, covering all aspects of a musician’s health, including physical and mental health needs and specialist referrals where required

Musicians at any point in their career can really benefit from learning new skills, taking time to hone their craft or working with peers and mentors to grow and develop as creators.

This strand of support can provide up to £1,500 to help you take advantage of opportunities that enhance your skills or artistic practice, available whenever you need it. This could be a virtual conference to learn more about the industry, an online course to enhance your skills, one-to-one coaching or an online masterclass with an expert, or perhaps some time to work with a mentor.

This support is specific to your career needs, so you can specify opportunities relevant to your own circumstances and ambitions. - whatever you need to feel confident in making your next move.

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