Drama Studio London

Drama Studio London was founded in 1966 by actor and director Peter Layton. Seeing that an approach was needed much more in tune with the real demands of the professional theatre, he designed the radical one-year acting course that launched and has become the hallmark of Drama Studio London.

Our Approach

Our primary objective is to prepare students for a career in the acting professions, learning to face positively the realities of the business. We are careful to select students purely on the basis of talent and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, marital status, language, cultural, social or religious background, physical, sensory or intellectual difficulty, sexual orientation or HIV status. Successful applicants will have the maturity and emotional ability to cope with the demands of an intensive training and the potential to succeed as professional actors.

At Drama Studio London we continually take note of what the industry is asking for, closely watching the shifts in style and standards that have always been part of the profession.

We respond quickly to change, adapting our teaching and course content yearly. We train actors to be well rounded all-rounders, able to take on any role. We teach in groups of twelve, to ensure that there is plenty of time for individual attention. We change the groups and the performance directors with each text block to allow you to develop flexibility and confidence in many different styles.

Why Drama Studio London?

Drama Studio London was founded over 45 years ago. The original courses were designed to give the aspiring actor the best grounding in skills and approach in order to prepare for a professional career.

That has remained our ethos. This vision is based on three principals:

Tutorial System

One of the great strengths of our approach is the tutorial system. Each student is assigned a personal tutor to provide the individual support and feedback necessary to make the most of their work. The personal tutor also has a pastoral role, helping the student to overcome any problems encountered along the way.

Progress is regularly reviewed through staff meetings, directors' reports and the tutorial system. There is feedback after class-work sessions so you always know where you stand.

Classes are kept small so that individual attention may be given to each student. There is a strong emphasis on the correlation between students' work in class and in rehearsal.

Career Launch

Our courses fully prepare students for the profession. They are given several opportunities to meet and perform in front of potential employers from the industry.

Work Week
In the final term we hold a series of workshops, talks, demonstrations and advice sessions from the professionals who make their living in the business. These include casting direcotrs, agents, corporate theatre and film producers, accountants etc.

"The college has very good connections with a wide range of industry professionals. It uses these to give students good exposure and plentiful opportunities to be seen." Ofsted report

West End Showcase
Each year we hire a major West End Theatre for two lunchtime showcases. Students perform short scenes cast in parts which show them in the best light. After the performance the cast meet the professional audience over drinks and snacks in the bar.

Ensemble Productions
In their final term students from both courses join together in a short “Open Space" Ensemble production performed in an appropriate Central London venue to which members of the profession are invited.

End of Year Productions
Between June and July we produce a season of plays in two major London fringe venues. They are fully staged and professionally produced. Industry professionals, family and friends are invited.
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