Drama Foundation in association with RADA

"I am consistently impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the staff at CSVPA and by the standard of their students at audition. I believe the course is a valuable introduction not only for those who know they want to train as an actor, but for anyone with an interest in drama or performance."

Edward Kemp, Artistic Director, RADA

Run in association with RADA

The CSVPA / RADA Drama Foundation is aimed at confident individuals with a passion for the performing arts and who are considering a career in acting.

Under the mentorship and guidance of our RADA approved lecturing staff, who are themselves practicing theatre professionals, you will train in a variety of disciplines and be challenged to grow both professionally and personally.

The course has expanded into a new two-strand programme that will allow students to train as actors in either Classical & Contemporary Theatre or Musical Theatre.In addition you will receive intensive one-to-one preparation for auditions.

About the course...

Why train at CSVPA?
The programme
Lecturing staff
Our success rate
The audition process
Sample Timetable

Our actors & productions...

Gallery of recent productions

About RADA...

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
RADA Shakespeare Certificates

Professional actor training

"The combination of individual attention and top teaching that students receive at CSVPA enables their growth both as performers and as human beings." - Brian Stirner, RADA Acting Coach

Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts (CSVPA) is acknowledged to be one of the best drama schools offering foundation drama in the UK. Our longstanding association with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) provides us with a unique opportunity to offer our students an intensive one year theatre training programme in Cambridge.

A significant part of the course is dedicated to audition technique with intensive one-to-one feedback. You will also prepare for a fully staged public end of year production to showcase the skills you have learned over the year (past productions include: The Threepenny Opera, The Government Inspector, The Merry Wives of Windsor, A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

The CSVPA / RADA foundation programme consists of 35 – 40 hours per week of practical tuition.  The course will have a set of core classes mandatory for all students and then will divide into strands in order to allow students to specialise their acting training within their spefic area of interest.

Each session is 1.5 hours in length with an average week consisting of 36 hours of structured class time. Mandatory rehearsals and personal studio sessions are required in addition to the above and are scheduled on a weekly basis as needed

You will receive:

• coaching for RADA Shakespeare Certificates
• exclusive RADA master classes (at CSVPA and RADA's London campus)
• external master classes (past sessions include: Frantic Assembly, Jeremy Stockwell, Hoipolloi)
• lectures with RADA alumni

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Learn from professional, RADA qualified theatre practitioners

"Training at CSVPA was probably the best year of my life so far! The teaching is superb and guides you into the right direction, and makes sure you have fun along the way." - Emma Richardson, former student

All our lecturers are performance specialists who have ongoing professional experience within the theatre industry, both in the UK and internationally.

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Outstanding acceptance rate at leading UK and international drama schools

"I’d certainly advise the CSVPA Foundation. Even though I felt completely ready for drama school, the Foundation year made me prepare for having to commit to a three year programme. It also helped to bolster my determination to become an actress." - Charlie Russell, former student

One of the indicators of the success of this programme can be found in the acceptance rate of our students into drama schools. Over the past three years we have had students leave us to attend RADA, LAMDA, Bristol Old Vic, The Drama Centre, Guildhall, East 15, Rose Bruford, RSAMD, Mountview, ALRA and The Lecoq School of Mime as well as drama schools in New York, California and Madrid.

Just a few examples of our Drama Foundation student results:

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

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Audition process

Auditions take place throughout the year in Cambridge and placement offers are generally given out on a rolling basis.

If you are interested in the Classical & Contemporary stream your audition should take the form of two monologues, one taken from contemporary and one from classical drama. Each monologue should last no longer than 2 minutes and should be delivered from memory.

If you wish to audition for the Musical Theatre stream your audition should take the form of:

• 1 x monologue (classical or contemporary), 2 minutes delivered from memory
• 2 songs taken from the musical theatre repertoire (1 x traditional & 1 x contemporary):
  • Eg of traditional composers – George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein.
  • Eg of contemporary composers - Stephen Schwartz, Jason Robert Brown, Tom Kitt, Stephen Sondheim.
  • An accompanist will be provided for your audition. Please bring sheet music for your songs in the keys in which you perform them.

If you are unable to attend auditions in person, we also accept video / DVD submissions. For the Musical Theatre stream, your two songs taken from the musical theatre repertoire must be accompanied by piano or a backing track.

Application packages & auditions can be arranged by contacting admissions at:

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 345698
Fax: +44 (0) 1223 346181
Email: admissions@csvpa.com

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Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) is the UK’s leading school for the dramatic arts. Courses at RADA include a BA (Hons) in Acting, validated by King’s College, London, and Graduate Diplomas in Theatre Technical Arts.

RADA alumni include: Sophie Okonedo, Matthew Macfadyen, Clive Owen, Maggie Gyllenhall, Ioan Gruffudd, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Caine, Gemma Arterton, Sean Bean, Kenneth Branagh and many more...

RADA Shakespeare Certificates explained

The RADA Shakespeare Certificates, at bronze, silver and gold levels, provide a benchmark for students wishing to improve their techniques and their confidence in delivering complex language. Each term there will be opportunities to prepare for, and take, these highly regarded qualifications.

The certificates are awarded following a successful presentation before RADA examiners at specially arranged examinations in Cambridge.

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Sample Timetable

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