A free, four-day intensive theatre-making experience designed for actors, writers, and directors who are ready to push their creative boundaries.
Guided by our core team, you'll be placed into small interdisciplinary teams including a writer, director and up to 5 actors, taking ownership of the creative process. You will explore different styles and techniques, generate material and refine your work through rehearsal, development and collaboration.
Over four days you'll build a brand new piece of theatre, take part in workshops hosted by external practitioners, and develop your personal toolkit.
Masterclass is a fast-paced, high-energy experience, offering professional development, creative risk-taking, and an exciting opportunity to meet and collaborate with like-minded artists.
The course will take place on May 27-30, from 10am-4pm in Hammersmith.
The Acting Summer Foundation Course at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BOVTS) is a ten-week intensive experience of life at a leading conservatoire drama school. On this full-time course, you will be immersed in a programme which mirrors the curriculum of current BA and MFA students and will have the opportunity to work with BOVTS staff members alongside practitioners who are active within the theatre, film and TV industry.
You will be taught through a mixture of practical performance projects and masterclasses. You will have a range of classes in acting, movement, voice, dialect, singing, improvisation, stage combat and scene study techniques. Whether you are looking to pursue acting work professionally, hone your skills for your own personal development, or explore whether degree-level training could be for you, the course offers you the opportunity to learn your craft at a renowned drama school. BOVTS offers a fun and nurturing environment in which to pursue your creative ambitions, based in one of the UK’s most exciting student cities.
The Acting Summer Foundation Course runs from Monday 14 July to Friday 19 September 2025. There will be classes scheduled on Monday – Friday throughout the duration of the course, typically running between 09:00—17:00. The exception to this is Monday 25 August; the School will be closed due to the summer bank holiday.
To give you an idea of the structure of the course, an overview of the timetable is available to download (PDF, 33 Kb). Please note that this year’s timetable may differ as our courses regularly undergo review, but you can see how different skills are typically taught throughout the course’s duration.
“What an extraordinary, life-changing experience it was! Studying at BOVTS is like being embraced into a family of caring, talented teachers and actors who are passionate about the craft and working together. The culture at BOVTS is encouraging, respectful, welcoming and empowering; the environment and buildings are beautiful and I found Bristol to be one of the most wonderful cities in which to spend the summer!” Lindy, former participant.
“My time at BOVTS was eye-opening. I found the atmosphere to be very welcoming and the tutors were always willing to answer my questions, which was invaluable as I tried to figure out my next steps. The stage combat classes were especially helpful as they opened up the whole world of stage combat for me. After finishing the Foundation Course, I went on to take a few courses in stage combat and horse riding. I’m planning to pursue more training to fulfil my goal of working in special action and live theatre.” Margot, former participant
“I knew that my career could be enhanced by some drama school training, so I looked into short courses and was thrilled to discover that BOVTS offered an Acting Summer Foundation Course. Taking ten weeks off would be much more practical than taking a year out of my career. To cut a long story short, training at BOVTS is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. To be taught by teachers working in the industry is invaluable. I know that every tool they have given me is effective, reliable and current.” Bastian, former participant
Applications close: 10am Thursday 29 May 2025
Study Vocals at the Academy of Music and Sound and increase your expressive powers, technique and musicianship through 1-1 tutorials and small group settings taught by a professional vocalist who is still current and working in the music industry.
A Level Drama and Theatre will give you analytical and performance skills, exploring a wide range of text sand the work of established practitioners, whilst considering how the history of theatre has shaped contemporary styles and form. You will take part in a variety of assessments and develop a wide range of skills in both performance and academic analysis, with theatre trips to support your study and immerse you in the industry.
Topics covered can include:
- Devised theatre
- Text in performance
- Theatre makers in practice
You will study and perform up to six different texts from a variety of time periods, styles and sources as well as learn how production values and design elements are used to communicate to an audience.
Location: Sixth Form College, Angel
You will be introduced to theoretical knowledge and essential practical skills needed for a career as a theatre director.
Through practical workshops, working with other short course students (e.g. Acting - Working with Text and/or Acting - Shakespeare), group sharing and critiquing you will explore:
• how the actor’s process works
• ways to realise text in performance
• critical analysis of the work of other directors
• developing, planning and delivering your own directing exercise.
