These Courses offer international students an intensive burst of British Conservatoire training.
This Course provides entry -level training in acting, stage management, theatre design and playwriting. Based on the work of Shakespeare and either Jacobean or Restoration playwrights, these courses are designed to deepen students engagement with classical texts and develop their practical skills. They are an exhilarating introduction to vocational training in the UK.
Dramatic work covered is as follows:
| Autumn Semester |
Shakespeare and Jacobean |
| Spring Semester |
Shakespeare and Restoration |
Why LAMDA?
For those interested in studying drama abroad, there is no greater place than London to do it. LAMDA is situated in Barons Court in West London – about 15 minutes on a direct tube line from the city’s theatreland.
LAMDA has a world-wide reputation for excellence throughout the entertainment industry. Our graduates work as actors, directors, producers, theatre practitioners, writers, designers etc in film (from Hollywood to Independent), theatre (from Royal National Theatre, Broadway, to fringe and off-off Broadway) and TV and radio.
The single semester courses have been running since 2003 and have welcomed students from over 50 North American universities including Boston, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Vassar, Wellesley and Yale.
What can I expect from the course?
We offer our Semester Courses each autumn and spring. Students work in small groups and undertake a minimum of 30 hours practical work a week. All classes and rehearsals are compulsory.
Technical classes in acting, improvisation, voice, movement, singing, textual analysis and
interpretation, Alexander Technique, physical theatre, stage combat and historical dance represent 60% of the overall course content. In the autumn, scene study and workshop performances centre upon Shakespeare’s romances and comedies, as well as Jacobean tragedy. Students on our spring course cover Shakespeare’s histories and tragedies, as well as Restoration comedy. All performances are closed to the public.
Students attend a variety of West End productions, including performances at Shakespeare’s Globe and the National Theatre. They also visit Stratford-upon-Avon to see the work of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Housing can be provided during the course at indepdendent housing organisations.
How many students will be on the course?
30 - 45 dependent on final numbers.
Where can I get more information on the course?
Contact your Head of Drama or Study Abroad Office who has a course information pack. If your Head of Drama requires an information pack, click here to contact the Admissions department and request a pack. The packs can only be sent to college staff.
If you are an independent applicant not at a university, contact LAMDA Admissions for further information.
Can I attend more than one semester course?
Students on a single semester course wishing to stay for a second semester may do so (subject to application and places being available) but should note that attendance on two single semester courses is not equivalent to attendance of the One Year Acting course.
The semester courses are complete intensive courses in themselves and are not progressive, so some work will be repeated in the second semester.
How can I fund the semester course?
Please click here for further information on Funding for Non-EU Students. Your university may have information on funding Study Abroad Programs. The semester courses are not eligible for the US Federal Loan scheme.
Do I need a visa for the course?
Click here for information.
Where is LAMDA?
Click here to find us.
Are there any scholarships?
No - students have to be self-financed.
Transcripts & Credits
All credit transfers need to be arranged by the student with their home universities before application. Draft transcripts can be provided in advance by LAMDA Admissions - at the student's request - to assist with credit transfer queries.
Full transcripts can be provided on successful completion of the course from the office of the LAMDA Vice-Principal (Academic). 1 copy is provided free of charge, additional copies at a charge of £3 or $5 per copy. Note that transcripts are provided at the student's request on completion of the course, they are not automatically issued.
Who has trained at LAMDA?
LAMDA has trained American and Canadian actors for more than 50 years and some of our alumni are famous:
Jim Broadbent
(Moulin Rouge & 2002 Oscar winner for Iris)
|
Brian Cox |
Alexis Denisof
(Angel) |
Richard Harris
(last role as Dumbledore in Harry Potter) |
Amy Irving |
Stacey Keach
|
| Swoosie Kurtz |
John Lithgow |
Natasha McElhone (Truman Show, Solaris) |
Stephen Moyer
(True Blood) |
Toby Stephens
(007 Die Another Day) |
Donald Sutherland |
They are part of a growing alumni with whom we have kept in touch and who keep in touch with one another.
LAMDA has an American Advisory Board.
Quotes from LAMDA students:
Here’s what some recent graduates have said about training at LAMDA. Click here for more.
"An everlasting creative awakening."
Emily Andrews
"LAMDA provides a warm and welcoming environment for all of its overseas students. Living away from home in a foreign country can be difficult, but the school is always there to help in any way that they can!"
Ben Buckley
"Living in London and training at LAMDA complement each other brilliantly. The skills and techniques taught in classes I saw being used in shows at the National, Globe Theatre , and all over the West End. I feel ready for the vigors of working in a Professional Theatre."
Jarrod Quon
"I was excited and yet cautious about going to drama school, but I found my two years at LAMDA to be far better than I ever expected. There is a very free and open approach to the classwork with a healthy emphasis on ensemble-playing. I was happy to discover that personal development at LAMDA begins with your strengths."
Phil Desmeules
