Acting

This Acting programme is delivered within the Junior Conservatoire of Drama and is designed specifically for young people who aspire to study acting at further or higher education level. This is an intensive training programme that gives you the opportunity to explore your creativity, grow in confidence as a performer, establish a strong voice and movement skills and learn more about the acting craft and what it takes to be a professional actor.

By studying on this Juniors Acting programme, you will:

• learn from expert staff from the Royal Conservatoire
• work with students from other disciplines, including the Junior Conservatoire Production and Film programmes
• develop and build on the foundation skills of acting including voice and movement
• learn character and script analysis and how to develop these for stage
• take part in performing opportunities in Winter and Summer

Entry to the programme is by audition only and we accept a small number of students each year into the programme to allow us to focus our teaching on each individual’s development.

The programme runs from August to June each year, and from this year there will be four levels of study available depending on your ability and experience.

Contact us

Please contact us by email at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk  if you have any questions and we would be happy to help.

The programme concentrates on learning the craft of acting and students’ progress through four levels; younger and more inexperienced actors will need to complete level 1 before progressing to level 2 in the following year, and level 3&4 thereafter. The panel will decide what level is best for you at your audition.

Students must successfully pass an assessment to move up to the next level on this course.

Skills and techniques

Throughout the programme, you will focus on a range of skills and techniques to allow you to develop and refine your ability as a performer.

Some of the key skills you will learn include:

• technical movement and learning to use your body as a tool of expression
• vocal skills including projection
• script analysis and development
• character development

Performance opportunities will be offered in Winter and Summer at RCS events. Students in level 3 and 4 will be offered additional opportunities when they arise.

The Junior Conservatoire of Drama is the national centre of excellence for training young actors and preparing them for further study.

• Study in Scotland’s national conservatoire, one of the world’s top 10 performing arts education institutions
• Perform for public audiences within RCS venues
• Learn technical movement, vocal skills, script analysis and characterisation choices
• Participate in masterclasses with visiting industry professionals, RCS lecturers with many years of conservatoire-level teaching
• Receive regular feedback reports to ensure you are getting the most out of the programme
• Casting opportunities for professional jobs
• Free tickets to all RCS productions

Students on the Junior Conservatoire Acting programme will learn from a variety of expert staff throughout the year, who will work with you to develop specialist skills.

Teachers on the programme include

• Daniel Cameron
• Nicholas Barton-Wines
• Liz Carruthers
• Lesley Eadie
• Tom Cooper
• David Wood
• Lydia Davidson
• Sarah Miele
• Adam Robertson

Guest teachers on the programme include

• Andy Macgregor
• Martha Leishman
• Jill Riddiford

Many of our students go on to study at top UK Performing Arts/Drama Schools; Conservatoires and Universities such as:

• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Royal Central School of Speech & Drama
• Oxford School of Drama
• Trinity Laban
• London Contemporary Dance School
• Rose Bruford College
• Glasgow University

We will support our students with whatever pathway they choose whether that be further study within the arts; academic study or work .

We want to make the performing arts as accessible as possible.

Anyone who faces financial barriers to participate in the Junior Conservatoire can apply at any time, whether at acceptance to a course or during the course, for a bursary or scholarship.

Please take the time to refer to this bursary and scholarship criteria.

For anyone who requires a bursary or scholarship please email JuniorsDDPF@rcs.ac.uk and you will be sent an application form.

We will try to support as many students as possible to attend the Junior Conservatoire training and therefore may not be able to cover full student fees.

These funds are currently supported by the generosity of individuals and charitable trusts including:

• James McAvoy Drama Scholarship
• Agnes Allan Bursary
• Bill and Margaret Nicol

Entry to Junior Conservatoire is by audition only, and progression through the levels is not automatic – students will be assessed each year if they would like to continue with their studies.

We do not ask for any formal entry requirements but would expect all applicants to have some experience of acting or performance, and be able to discuss this with the panel at the audition.

We look for applicants to show passion for acting and a desire to develop and progress to study at a higher education level in the future. Whilst we do not ask for specific entry requirements, the panel will be looking for applicants of great potential who demonstrate they have the commitment and ability to work hard and become the best performer they can be.

The Audition:-

Dates: Acting auditions will be held between the 3rd -7th April 2023.

This year all auditions will be held in person at the Renfrew Street campus. All auditions will consist of a group workshop and solo audition.

Group Workshop:

• Participants will participate in a 1 hour workshop. This could consist of movement; games; improvisation etc.

*Note* This is an opportunity for the panel to see how creative and imaginative you are, and how well you work with others. Relax and have fun!

Solo Audition:

• Performance of monologue
• Redirect of monologue
• Interview

Your monologue

You only need to prepare one monologue for your solo audition and this should not be any longer than two minutes in length. Think carefully about selecting a piece that is well suited to you – do some research and read lots of plays to find the best speech for you. The panel may ask you why you’ve picked this piece so we recommend you read the full play.

Our advice would be to try and find a character with whom you identify with – they don’t need to be like you but you should be able to empathise with the thoughts and feelings implied by the text. The panel is looking for you to bring a character to life and connect with it.

Make sure you take your time and prepare and try not to change your audition piece last minute without giving you adequate preparation time.

Above all, remember the panel wants to see you do well and we look forward to meeting you.

We want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to apply for the Junior Conservatoire Acting programme so we will audition every student who applies on time.

When to apply

Application for entry to the Junior Conservatoire Acting programme in August 2022 are currently open.

All applications should be completed online and there is an audition fee of £45. If an applicant is applying for multiple courses they will only need to pay one audition fee.  If you need financial support to pay for the audition/s fee please contact us at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk 

Audition dates

All auditions for the Junior Conservatoire Acting programme will be held betweeen 3-7 April 2023.

Question?

If you have any questions about the Junior Conservatoire or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at juniorsddpf@rcs.ac.uk.

Term Dates (2022-23)

Student induction- 20th August 2022

Term 1 – 27 Aug- 16th December 2022 (no sessions from 8-21st October)

Term 2 – 7th January- 31st March 2023 (no session 11-17th Feb)

Term 3 – 15th April- 16th June 2023

Performance opportunities – TBC

Christmas Spectacular- 6th, 7th and 8th January 2023

Other potential performances- Bridge Week, Youth Arts Fest, Leavers ceremony

Term Dates (2023/2024)

Term 1

Student induction- Sunday 20th August 2023

Term 1 starts – Saturday 26^th August 2023

Mid term break- 14-27^th October 2023

Term 1 finishes- Friday 15^th December 2023

Term 2 starts- Saturday 6^th January 2024

Mid term break- 10^th-16^th February 2024

Term 2 finishes- Friday 29^th March 2024

Term 3 starts- Saturday 13^th April 2024

Term 3 finishes- Friday 14^th June 2024

Fees (2023/24)

Acting Fees for the year are £2995