Alumni
ITALIA CONTI HAS SEEN MANY FAMOUS FACES AND SUCCESSFUL PERFORMERS PASS THROUGH IT'S DOORS IN OUR 109 YEAR HISTORY.
BA (HONS)
ACTING
Qualification | Degree
Course Leader | Bradley Leech
Validated by | University of East London (UEL)
Location | Woking
Course Length | 3 Years, Full-Time
Start Date | September 2023
COURSE OVERVIEW
Much of your work on the programme will be devoted to vocal and physical training, to the exploration of a range of techniques for creating and developing character and to working responsively within the space.
The modern actor is not a puppet who regurgitates words and movements for an audience, but a creative artist who uses their inner resources to create truthful fictions and constantly seeks new ways to communicate. Part of the programme will teach you to be original and individual in your work, to reinvent old techniques and to develop new ones.
Italia Conti's BA (Hons) Acting Programme does not seek to mould actors to any one method or system of Acting, rather, it makes available to its students a wide range of ideas and training methods, so that each student can construct a personal ‘tool box’ of methods of working.
The programme aims to produce versatile performers who can work in as wide a range of styles and media as possible.
The programme has clear theories about training and performance and upholds philosophies about the role of Theatre in society which permeates the teaching.
COURSE SUMMARY
BA (Hons) Acting, at Italia Conti, is a three-year, full time vocational course, for anyone aged 18+ wishing to become a professional actor on Stage, Screen, Radio and Digital and recorded media.
The programme is validated by University of East London (UEL). Full government funding is available through Student Finance England for Home students.
"MY TRAINING AT ITALIA CONTI HAS CHALLENGED, FULFILLED AND BROADENED ME AS AN ACTOR AND AS A PERSON. THE BUFFET OF TECHNIQUES ON OFFER WILL ALLOW ME TO MEET ALL CHALLENGES IN ANY AVENUE."
Henry Holmes
COURSE STRUCTURE
The programme is organised in a modular structure, with various modes of assessment. It is through performance that the ability to integrate and apply acting, voice, movement and singing skills is measured. The holistic nature of acting means that this form of assessment is most appropriate, and so performance assessment is embedded throughout the programme modules at every level of training.
In the 1st year, the curriculum focuses on the attainment of technical skills, such as acting, voice, movement and singing. Rehearsals for projects allow students to put the techniques they have learnt into practice. This very technical 1st year underpins the 2nd year, where more time is given over to rehearsals and project work. In the 3rd year, technical classes take place on Mondays only, with the rest of the week given over to rehearsals for public performances with outside professional directors. All productions, live and recorded, receive voice, movement and singing input as required. In addition, students are given career advice and support through the Professional Preparation module.
PERFORMANCE SKILLS
Italia Conti’s international acclaimed programmes provide practical training and instruction in all aspects of the entertainment industry. Our training directly addresses the competitive demands of todays industry and prepares professionals with a broad, in-depth background. Students actively participate in a supportive, professional environment, taught by leading experts and artists currently working in todays theatre business.
Founded in 1911, Italia Conti is the world's most prestigious performing arts education programme. Students attend an intense five day a week training program which includes vocational training, focused on the key disciplines, including Acting, Dance, Singing, Voice and the many facets of each, as well as the critical life skills necessary to prepare them to work in the professional world of entertainment. Emphasis is not only placed on the individual art forms but also on the collaborative process and the collective creation of theatre arts.
The programme is designed to provide you with: The knowledge and skills to perform as an actor to professional industry standards whether in TV, Film, Theatre or Radio. Specialised skills in acting, voice, movement and singing.
Transferable skills, especially in communication and self-presentation, team-work, independent research and critical analysis, which will allow you to operate successfully in a variety of fields. The knowledge and skills to be pro-active in the creation of employment.
MOVEMENT FOR ACTORS
Acting is a physical process that requires the body to be available, aware and articulate. It is through the body that we communicate – in movement and in sound. The BA Acting movement training works to prepare and locate the body firmly within the acting process. This is a dynamic and rigorous programme with two primary strands of training that run concurrently throughout the 1st and 2nd year – fundamental and expressive.
The first focuses on developing strength, flexibility, kinaesthetic and spatial awareness and skill-specific physical techniques; the second develops physical acting skills, focusing on how the body communicates meaning, the connection of thought, action and speech, and the understanding of theatrical space.
There is no single technique used. Instead we draw upon and incorporate various techniques and skills at appropriate points in the three year course, including sound and movement improvisation, authentic movement, contact improvisation, Pilates, yoga, release techniques, acro-balance, period movement, stage combat and social dance. The course philosophy is also influenced by the work of practitioners such as Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov, Growtowski, Boal, Laban, Decroux, and Lecoq.
VOICE FOR ACTORS
Voice for actors requires an awareness of body and voice and is one of the primary means of expression for the actor to engage with the creative process. The aim of the voice course is to train and develop the voice into a fully supported, resonant and flexible instrument with strong speech skills. This allows the student to achieve their full vocal potential, whilst developing the individuals own natural voice. No single practitioners work is studied exclusively, but students are taught a wide variety of techniques and methodologies. Movement practices such as release technique and contact work are incorporated in order to integrate the voice, body and mind.
SINGING FOR ACTORS
The singing course aims to provide each student with an efficient and safe technique, encouraging an individual and free singing voice. The actor/singer relationship is very much at the core of what the course aims to teach, involving each student in various strategies and techniques associated with acting through song. We treat sung text very much in the same manner as we would spoken text, applying various acting techniques to the overall process of learning a song. The structure and content of the course offers a range of musical experiences including a working knowledge of various historical styles and genres. By the end of the 2nd term in the 3rd year, each student will be expected to have established a portfolio of solo songs suitable for professional auditions.
The singing department staff are all experienced, freelance practitioners who combine their work at Italia Conti with professional engagements as musical directors, singers and performers.
RECORDED MEDIA
Camera
Camera classes start in the first year and continue on into the second year in order to develop students’ skills further. The first year is geared towards building confidence, learning basic camera craft and knowing ones casting. Students will begin to learn how to adapt the other acting disciplines they have been developing throughout the rest of the course to the subtleties of acting for the camera.
In the second year, students begin working with scenes from popular Soaps, Episodic Dramas and Commercials, dedicating time to studying the various skills and acting styles needed when working in television. All aspects of the actor’s preparation, from audition technique to the final performance, will be studied as well as the differences working with both single and multi-camera set ups.
All work will be filmed and students will be encouraged to evaluate their performances in order to improve camera skills.
In the third year, students will work on a short film project with an industry professional crew. These scenes could contribute to individual showreels.
Radio
Radio is taught in the second year of training over 3 terms. In the first term, students learn the technical aspects of studio work, such as studio procedures, cue lights, use of headphones, microphone technique and the general discipline of the recording studio environment. They also begin to work on simple scripts.
In the second and third terms, the work is developed and includes radio drama and radio comedy, classic and contemporary narrative texts, voice-overs, commercials, radio announcements, and mock auditions. Technically demanding skills such as sight-reading scientific papers or creating cartoon voices will be studied. Students learn to apply skills acquired in both voice and acting units, in order to act truthfully and imaginatively in recorded media.
Students may audition for the Carleton Hobbs competition in their third year. The winners are given a 5-month contract with the BBC Radio Drama Company. Successful actors are invited to undertake professional work with the BBC. The Academy is pleased to note our most recent success – Gary Duncan (2017 Acting Graduate) won the competition and will start working for the BBC from July 2017.
FEES & FUNDING
UK Tuition Fees | £9250 per academic year, (paid in advanced termly instalments)
Audition Fee | £45 (non-refundable)
Deposit | £275 (The deposit is refundable within 14 calendar days of the payment being
received by Italia Conti but will not be refunded thereafter for non-enrolment. It
will be held by the School and will be refundable on completion of the course,
without interest, less any outstanding sums owed by the student to Italia Conti.)
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Terms and conditions apply upon acceptance to Italia Conti.
FUNDING
The BA (Hons) course offers the following funding options:
- Private Funding
- Student Finance
DEPOSIT FEE WAIVER
Italia Conti welcome application for deposit fee waivers for those who are eligible.
"ITALIA CONTI ALLOWED ME TO DO MY FAVOURITE THIING
EVERYDAY IN A SAFE SPACE AMONGST TALENTED,
SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE. BEING TAUGHT BY SKILFUL TUTORS WAS INVALUABLE. THE SMALL CLASSES ENSURED MY VOICE WAS ALWAYS HEARD AND HELPED ME HONE IN MY SKILLS."
Ruby Valentino
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
ENTRY TO BA (HONS) ACTING REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING:
- 18+ by the 31st August in the year of entry.
- Level 2 English and Maths at GCSE Grade 4 or above or recognised equivalent qualifications.
- 64 UCAS points or admission through recognition of non standard entry qualifications/experience:
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A level: CC
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: MPP
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: MM
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Access to HE Diploma: M = 15 credits, P = 30 credits
- IELTS Level 6
- Legal right to reside/study in the UK for the full period of the programme.
- Successful audition through Italia Conti, details of which can be found below.
- Evidence in hard copy of all the above must be provided.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
After completing the application process you will be invited to attend one of our audition days where you will be required to demonstrate a variety of skills. Information about auditions can be found below.
APPLICATION
Application to the BA (Hons) Acting course is to be made through UCAS only. Please note that our listing on UCAS is shown as University of East London (UEL) - Acting.
UCAS Institution Code | E28
UCAS Course Code | W410
Once applicants have applied for the BA (Hons) Acting programme through UCAS they will receive an email from UEL containing a link to Italia Conti's BA (Hons) application form. Applicants must complete this form and pay the audition fee (£45) in order to be considered for the course. Applicants cannot apply through UCAS alone for this programme.
Applicants should have completed Italia Conti's application form and paid the audition fee by the 26th January in the year of application in order to be considered for audition.
Applicants who have applied through UCAS and who have not received an email containing a link to Italia Conti's application form should contact
admissions@italiaconti.co.uk before the 26th January in the year of application.
Audition fees are non-refundable. These fees act as both an administration fee for processing your application as well as a non-refundable deposit for a place on an audition day.
In line with our admissions policy, Italia Conti reserves the right to alter or withdraw offers at any point. Places on our courses are limited; it is usual for drama schools to make more offers than there are places. Acceptances are dealt with on a first come first serve basis and so early acceptance is advised.
AUDITION CRITERIA
We will be conducting first round auditions digitally for the W410 BA (Hons) Acting course, for September 2023 entry.
Applicants for the BA (Hons) Acting Course are automatically considered for the CertHE Intro to Acting Course.
AUDITION OUTCOME
Due to the volume and standard of applications received this year, Italia Conti need to extend our turnaround time for us to inform candidates of their result. Any first round applicant will receive the result from their audition submission within 3-4 weeks of receipt. We apologise for the delay but every submission deserves our full time and attention.
FIRST ROUND - DIGITAL ONLINE AUDITION
ACTING AUDITION, including voice exercises, singing and a brief chat to camera answering some questions.
Applicants will be requested to submit a self-tape with the following:
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Identification – name, UCAS number and programme you are applying for
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Speech 1 – Shakespeare Speech from the list on the website and audition pack
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Speech 2 – Contemporary Speech - A piece from a modern play (we define this as 1970-present day), of your choice
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Voice Exercises – 6 exercises as per the audition pack
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Singing Audition - ‘Happy Birthday’, or any short extract from any song that you know unaccompanied.
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‘About me’ - Brief chat to camera answering the questions in the audition pack
Speech guidance:
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Please note: neither speech must be longer than one and a half minutes
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Ensure speech is from published plays. They should not be extracts from poems, novels, films or television scripts
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Please choose characters close to your own age
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Please perform your speeches in your native accent
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Auditionees should wear comfortable fitted rehearsal wear that best represents you and/or helps with your characterisation
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In a minority of instances panel may require a further tape or live-online audition responding to direction
Each of these elements is explained in more detail in the audition pack that you will be sent with your audition submission date.
The self-tape should be compiled into one video and then submitted – help and advice on this can be found in the ‘How to Submit’ section of the audition pack.
SHAKESPEARE AUDITION PIECES
Please choose one Shakespeare speech from the list below (you may select a character of any gender):
Measure for Measure – Act 2, Scene 4 – Isabella
“To whom should I complain?... And fit his mind to death, for his soul’s rest.”
Macbeth – Act 3 Scene 1 – Macbeth
“To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus……Who’s there!”
Romeo & Juliet – Act 2 Scene 5 – Juliet
“The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse……...”
Othello – Act 4 Scene 3 – Emilia
“But I do think it is their husbands’ faults…..”
Othello – Act 1 Scene 3 – Iago
“Thus do I ever make my fool……”
Othello – Act 3 Scene 3 – Othello
This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,…….”
Merchant of Venice – Act 3 Scene 2 – Portia
“You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand…….”
King John – Act 4 Scene 1 – Arthur
“Have you the heart? When your head did but ache………”
Julius Caesar – Act 2 Scene 1 – Portia
“Is Brutus sick? and is it physical…….. who did hide their faces Even from darkness ”
Henry IV Part 1 – Act 1 Scene 2 – Prince Hal
“I know you all, and will awhile uphold……”
Henry VI – Act 1 Scene 4 – Queen Margaret
“Brave warriors…….. may sing and dance”
King Lear – Act 1 Scene 2 – Edmund
“Thou, nature art my goddess………”
King Lear – Act 1 Scene 3 – Goneril
“By day and night he wrongs me………Prepare for dinner”
King Lear – Act 2 Scene 3 – Edgar
“I heard myself proclaim’d………”
Much Ado About Nothing – Act 2 Scene 3 – Benedick [Prose]
“This can be no trick: the conference was sadly borne… I do spy some marks of love in her”
RECALL AUDITION
Successful first round applicants will be offered a recall audition. COVID-19 permitting, Italia Conti are aiming to conduct these in-person. Should in-person auditions be cancelled by Italia Conti, appropriate adjustments to the recall audition will be made to ensure that all eligible candidates are auditioned and assessed by a panel using the same process as if you were auditioning in person. Any decision to cancel auditions are precautionary and the effect of this will not place your application at a disadvantage.
Recall auditions may include:
· a duologue session
· speeches/redirection
· improvisation, movement and voice workshops
· an interview
We would like you to use the same speeches as your first-round digital audition. You are welcome however to prepare additional speeches which you can offer to the panel (although they may not hear these).
As your recall may fall after the institution’s deadline for updating your status on UCAS, you may be marked as ’rejected by default’ on the UCAS system. Your application will still remain live on our system until we have completed your audition, and should you be successful we will update UCAS accordingly.
By applying for the W410 BA (Hons) Acting Course or W411 CertHE Intro to Acting Course you are automatically considered for both acting courses.
Best of luck and enjoy!
CAREER PROSPECTS
INDUSTRY LINKS
Regular workshop sessions are held to give students the opportunity to work with directors, choreographers and industry professionals whilst training. Second and third year students also have to opportunity to join the Italia Conti Agency and undertake professional work should the opportunity arise. During the 3rd year students take part in their final Showcase whereby agents are invited, and Italia Conti has connections with many of these.
You will be taught by a team of industry specialists who have extensive experience of the audition processes used by both professional theatre companies and the country’s leading drama schools. In addition, all of the Academy staff are successful professional practitioners (actors, directors, dialect coaches, movement directors, etc.) with excellent industry links. We also work very closely with leading casting directors and theatre agents.
Italia Conti graduates populate the performance industries and include: Tom Ainsley, Leon Annor, Gabrielle Anwar, Russell Brand, Jennifer Brooke, Karla Crome, Jonno Davies, Letitia Dean, Mark Ebulué, Jess Ellis, Barbara Ferris, Karen Gillan, Jamie Foreman, Linzi Hately, Aisling Jarrett-Gavin, Matt Lapinskas, Leona Lewis, Pixie Lott, Lesley Manville, Hans Matheson, Daniel Mays, Bethany Muir, James Nelson-Joyce, Racheal Ofori, Gemma Salter, Julia and Nadia Sawalha, Lucie Shorthouse, Daniel Francis Swaby, Gary Trainor, Nina Toussaint-White, Tracy Ullman, Dwane Walcott and Gabby Wong.
ALUMNX & GRADUATE SUCCESS
With over 110 years of Italia Conti history, our graduates populate the performance industries and include many famous faces. Recent graduates can be seen working on prestigious productions in all areas of the industry.