The Poor School - The Two Year Training

The Two Year Training

Acting training at The Poor School begins in the autumn and in the first year is divided into three terms of equal length, over which students undertake classes in acting, voice, movement, dance, singing, verse and text, character study and animal study. Students also rehearse a number of texts; Ibsen, Tennessee Williams, Orton, Wilde, Chekhov etc. which are performed internally to all staff and students. Contemporary scene work and Shakespeare also form core parts of the first year and are shown internally. There are no external showings in the first year.

The second year of the training begins by consolidating and developing much of the first year work in order to prepare students for The Poor School public shows and the transition into the industry as working actors. Students continue with voice, movement, dance and singing classes while preparing public showings of musical theatre and Shakespeare throughout the autumn term. These shows provide a very important bridge to the last six months of the training, known as the Public Season, which is when students perform in front of industry professionals. The Public Season begins in January with a showcase of short scenes to which agents, directors, casting directors and producers attend. It continues with a series of plays open to the public and industry professionals alike and culminates in a second evening of scenes which are again open to industry professionals only. The second evening of scenes is in June and marks the end of the training.

Entrance to the training is by audition although a number of students now take a short course in place of an audition.