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Central School of Speech & Drama
Embassy Theatre, 64 Eton Avenue, London NW3 3HY (020) 7722 8183
www.cssd.ac.uk
What the…?
Founded in 1906 by Elsie Fogerty, the CSSD is a UK government funded higher education college providing courses in all aspects of the arts - acting, arts management, circus, costume, design, directing, scenic construction, sound etc etc etc.
Fellow classmates?
Dame Judi Dench - say no more. Oh, and Tony Robinson.
Sylvia Young Theatre School
Rossmore Road Marylebone NW1 6NJ (020) 7724 1693
www.sylviayoungtheatreschool.co.uk
What the…?
Full time school that also runs courses on Saturdays, during the holidays and on a part time basis.
Fellow classmates?
Ex-part-timers read like an Eastenders cast list - Nick Berry, Adam Woodyatt, Tamsin Outhwaite, Perry Fenwick. Full-timers included Emma Bunton, Denise Van Outen, Billie, Matt from Busted, Jon Lee from S Club 7, The Appleton sisters and Melanie Blatt, Samantha Janus, Keeley Hawes, Letitia Dean and Dean Gaffney.
Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
Academy Head Office at 23 Goswell Road, London EC1M
www.italiaconti-acting.co.uk
What the…?
Founded in 1911 by the actress Italia Conti. Trains actors for the professional stage and screen. The Acting Degree Course BA (Hons) was introduced in 1994.
Fellow classmates?
Lee from Blue (who left because of his dyslexia), Richie and Abs from 5ive, Wendy Richard (Pauline Fowler), Sadie Frost.
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA)
Mount Street, Liverpool L1 9HF (0151) 330 3000
www.lipa.ac.uk
What the…?
Paul McCartney’s ‘Fame Academy’. Offers BA (Hons) courses in everything from performing arts to theatre design to sound technology.
Fellow classmates?
Eurovision ‘stars’ Jemini.
Chicken Shed Theatre Company
Chase Side, Southgate, London N14 4PE
Admin: (020) 8351 6161, Box Office: (020) 8292 9222
www.chickenshed.org.uk
What the…?
A registered charity, which aims to produce original and creative theatre, demonstrating that the performing arts belong to everyone.
Royal Academy of Dramitic Art (RADA)
www.rada.org
What the…?
Founded by leading actor manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in 1904. In 2002 Lord Attenborough became its president. Offers summer schools, short courses, Shakespeare certificates, BA in acting, graduate diploma in technical arts.
Fellow classmates?
Some of the great 60s icons - Peter O’Toole, Albert Finney, Alan Bates, Richard Harris, Anthony Quayle, Glenda Jackson.
Outside the UK…..
Steppenwolf Theatre Compnay
1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60614 T: 312.335.1650
What the…?
Chicago-based international performing arts institution committed to ensemble collaboration and artistic risk through its work with its permanent ensemble. Formed in 1974 with informal performances in the basement of a church in Highland Park.
Fellow classmates?
Gary Sinese is a co founder and has been artistic director (1980-82, 1985-6). John Malkovich joined after graduating college and between 1976 and 1982 he acted in, directed, or designed the sets for more than 50 productions. Joan Allen and Martha Plimpton have been ensemble members since 1977 and 1998 respectively.
The Actors Studio
What the…?
Lee Strasberg (1899-1982), a teacher and theorist, suggested that the most effective film performers were those who did not act. Using Stanislavski Method (actors were not to emote in the traditional manner of stage conventions, but to speak and gesture in a manner one would use in private life) he ran a studio to train actors in this new way. Nowadays, ‘The Method’ is taught all over the world. Look out for institutions offering it.
Fellow classmates?
The Actors Studio trained Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and James Dean. Later it was attended by Jane Fonda, Marilyn Monroe, and the technique was taken up most famously be Robert De Niro.
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