New Acting School to open in Leeds

In October 2009, a new acting school will open in Leeds, offering would-be actors in the North of England a chance to take their first steps towards a career in the profession. Geared towards school leavers and those looking for a mid or later life career-change, ASN has available a coveted 20 places in its inaugural year starting in October 09 and is offering free auditions by arrangement, throughout the summer. Acting School North is the only independent school in Yorkshire to offer full-time professional acting training for adults. Three bursaries are being made available to support students with the talent, but not enough funds to train.

A concept envisioned by acting teacher, actor and drama theoretician Rogelio Nevares, and created by actor and director of the new School Sorcha Donaldson, Acting School North will operate one-year full-time courses using a technique developed by Rogelio Nevares. The technique has been adapted from the Stanislavsky methodology he learned in Moscow at the world leading All Russian State University of Cinematography to suit modern British stage actors as well as those with a passion for screen acting. In addition to acting, students will also learn financial management, how to market themselves, and other business disciplines that make the best talent stand out from the crowd.

Contact teaching hours during each 10 week term are distributed over 3 consecutive days, allowing students to fulfil other working or family commitments whilst they study.

The school’s Professional Practice programme will help students prepare for the world of work. During the 1 year course, students’ performances will be filmed, providing them with material for a varied portfolio to present to agents and casting directors. Professional actors, agents and casting directors will be on hand to offer advice and support through a series of full-day workshops each term. Fringe theatre productions will be developed and managed by students for public consumption and to professional standards, mentored by Acting School North, enabling them to fully experience the fundraising, managerial and creative demands required to produce work for real audiences.  

Unlike many drama schools, Acting School North will not charge for auditions, levelling the playing field for students from any background to take a first step towards a career in acting, and the team is keen to hear from students of any age or level of experience to arrange an audition.

Sorcha Donaldson, Director of Acting School North said: ‘We’re calling on any adults in the UK, looking for an interesting challenge and career in acting, to audition. Competition for acting schools is fierce, because despite the recent TV talent shows, it is really only trained actors who stand a chance at working in the industry. We’re here to equip our students with the best skills possible for succeeding in their career path, whether they are fresh from school or college, or whether they are changing direction later in life, and we believe there is potential for them to find their niche and apply their learnings across an industry that spans everything from live theatre to video games.’

Professor Michael Gaunt, actor and director said: ‘I am pleased to applaud the concept driving Acting School North, that is, a desire to ensure that acting students will receive a training that prepares them technically and creatively, both in the theatre and before the camera, for their professional future. It is so important that acting schools do not fall into the trap of allowing students to perform each new character as instant copies of themselves and this is exactly what Acting School North sets out to avoid. How much more exciting it is for the actors and their audiences when roles are prepared imaginatively and unique characterisations are allowed to develop arising from the study of text, action, character and relationship. Graduating actors will be able to gain not only bread and butter employment in their working lives, but they will have the ability to engage with the classical repertoire and be part of keeping it alive for future generations of actors and their audiences.’

Acting School North is an independent school supported by Angel Investors.

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