This course, founded in 1956 at the request of the Fulbright Commission, has an well-established reputation in North America and throughout the world.
It comprises two intensive semesters of classical acting training. It is aimed at prospective professionals who have undergone some training who wish to supplement their skills by undergoing a rigorous British Conservatoire training in the classics.
Students will have normally completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject or worked as a professional actor for a minimum of two years having completed some form of professional training prior to employment and are able to demonstrate the ability to train at Postgraduate level.
From entry 2009, the course leads to a Postgraduate Diploma qualification, validated by the University of Kent.
For students from the USA, the PG (Dip) qualification is equivalent to Certificate, not Masters level.
The course is compact, demanding and requires some performance experience - either professional, non-professional or gained at university. It is executed through an intensive programme of class-work and workshop performances. The emphasis is on acquiring skill through practical class without the pressure of public performance.
There are therefore no UK showcases or public performances during this course. Students eligible to work in the USA and Canada are invited to join students from other LAMDA courses to perform in showcases held in New York and Los Angeles, shortly after completion of the course.
The practical class work involves:
- Voice
- Movement
- Singing
- Historic Dance
- Textual Interpretation and Analysis
- Alexander Technique
- Poetry Speaking
- Physical Theatre
- Tap and Flamenco
- Stage Combat
During the course students might expect tutoring in the playing of Shakespeare, Jacobean and Restoration playwrights.
Graduates of the course include John Lithgow (Emmy & Golden Globe Award winning), Zeljko Ivanek (Emmy Award winning), Swoosie Kurtz (Emmy Award winning) & Benedict Cumberbatch (BAFTA nominated) - see our Alumni section for more information.
