This is an intensive experience of a professional training environment. It is designed to be rigorous and enjoyable. The majority of those taking the course have either little or no experience in acting.

Participants will take classes in movement and voice, dialect, singing, stage fighting and dance. There will be work on contemporary text and some exposure to Shakespeare.

There are 4 day courses in January, April, May, June, August, October and November.

The course can and should be taken for its own sake, as an experience. It is, however, especially suitable for those who wish to be considered for the full time training at The Poor School. Students taking the course may be considered for the full-time training beginning October 2010. It is an alternative to auditioning and there are significant advantages:

We know you better after four days than we do after three hours of an audition; we are more likely to make the right decision, and

You know us better. If you are offered a place you will be in a better position to decide whether to accept it.

The average age on the course is early to mid thirties, ranging from teenage to late fifties/early sixties. Once the course starts no-one is concerned with or feels out of place because of their age. Fear of singing is the single most constantly expressed anxiety by those considering the course. All we can say is that those who are anxious on Tuesday morning rarely feel the same by Friday afternoon.

For the four day course application form, click here To read some feedback from the four day course, click here