Birmingham School of Acting for stage, screen & broadcast

Training Philosophy

Birmingham School of Acting exists to engage with the art form of acting. The school does this by supporting individuals to realise their potential as creative, entrepreneurial artists. The focus is on excellence in teaching, a willingness to embrace new or different perspectives and the flexibility to confront issues that drive contemporary culture. The school provides a practical and philosophical reference point that will stay with students throughout their creative lives. Birmingham School of Acting is a vibrant, adaptable organisation that actively seeks, supports and develops spirited individuals with the desire and ability to excel. We are aware that the career options for actors are increasingly complex and the nature of an actor's work is changing rapidly. We seek to ensure that our training produces informed graduates with the skills they need to develop their own career path by providing performance based training with a high degree of industry relevance. This is achieved by keeping close links with the industry through the employment of visiting directors, using outside theatres and recording studios, employing a professional production department and film crews.


Performance & professional skills Performance and professional relevance is the core of the training at Birmingham School of Acting. Both courses progress from students working live in 'black box' performances through to workshops and on to final staged productions, radio plays and short films. Visiting professionals direct theatre, radio and film productions in the final year of the BA (Hons) course and in the final term of the Diploma course, helping to bring to the course and students a real professional experience. The live performance work is supported by a professional production department and the radio and film production is undertaken with professional crews. Showcase Graduating students on both courses are presented to invited audiences of agents, casting directors, directors and managers in showcase productions in both Birmingham and London.


Career Management & Development Birmingham School of Acting's career consultant advises and helps students prepare for entry into the acting profession. Further 'professional skills' advice is provided through workshops and lectures by working actors, directors, agents and casting directors, ITC, British Actors Equity, the casting directory 'Spotlight', and an accountant.


Chapman Agency Whilst training, students are represented by the school's own agency. The agency operates in reaction to requests for work and manages opportunities offered to its students. The agency actively works to support students to find an agent when they graduate and will continue to represent graduates until they find their own representation. The agency has established an excellent reputation within the profession for providing well-trained students and graduates for professional contracts in TV, radio, theatre, TIE and advertising - but it exists purely as a support to students and graduates.


Carleton Hobbs Competition & Sam Wanamaker Festival Each year four students represent the school to compete for the BBC Radio 'Carleton Hobbs' Bursary Award where they perform solo and group scenes in front of a panel of professionals. The winners, chosen from those representing the leading drama schools, are offered a six-month contract with BBC Radio. In the past Birmingham School of Acting has had a number of successes in this competition. The William Poel Festival offers the opportunity for two students to represent the school in a Festival of Renaissance Theatre at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London. This includes a weekend of workshops with staff and students from other leading schools.

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