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Suitable for
Intermediate, ages 16–18
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Dates
Summer Term:
Thu 24th Apr – Thu 3rd Jul
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Location & Tuition
Downside Road, Bristol
Weekly 2 hour class, 18:00–20:00
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Applications
Accepting applications for the Autumn Term:
Auditions will be held in summer.
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Cost
£185 per 10 week term or
£500 for full academic year
Overview
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s Young Conservatoire is a comprehensive and immersive programme designed for aspiring actors aged 16 to 18 who wish to embark on a professional acting career.
Our weekly evening classes will build a rigorous foundation in acting techniques, voice work and movement studies adopting the practices taught to students at the UK’s leading drama schools. By joining Young Conservatoire, you’ll deepen your knowledge and begin acquiring the key vocational skills of a professional actor, preparing you for the next steps of your career.
Each 10-week term will build your skills in working with text, character, improvisation, and voice and movement techniques. Much of the learning is structured as imaginative play to unlock your acting potential. In addition to developing your individual strengths in monologues, storytelling and self-tape auditions, you will also get to explore theatre as an ensemble. Each term culminates with a short performance for an invited audience.
Term dates 2024
Summer term, Thu 24 Apr – 3 July, 6–8 PM. Half term (no class) Thu 29 May.
Fees are £185 per term. You can also book ahead and save by booking the full calendar year for £500.
What is a conservatoire?
A conservatoire is a small and specialist organisation that trains students for a career in the performing arts through intensive, practical tuition. At Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, we specialise in drama but there are other conservatoires who specialise in music, and some who team both disciplines. Attending drama school is an alternative option to going to university – you’ll still receive a degree, but you will spend your time learning your craft through practice. Attending a conservatoire drama school is how many of the UK’s leading actors honed their craft and launched their career. The award-winning film stars Olivia Colman, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Naomie Harris and Patrick Stewart all trained at BOVTS.
Who is Young Conservatoire for?
Young Conservatoire is for anybody aged 16–18 who is considering a career as a professional actor. Actors come from all sorts of backgrounds and there is not typical student at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. We are looking for those who have a passion for performance, a willingness to experiment with their craft, and are aspiring to train professionally after finishing at school or college. Young Conservatoire is not an alternative to school or college; because it runs on evenings throughout term time, it is the perfect option to sit alongside your qualifications.
How do I apply?
Entry to Young Conservatoire is through audition and you can choose whether to audition with us online or in person. There is no audition fee.
You will need to prepare a two-minute speech from a published play and we recommend that you choose a character who is similar in age to you. The auditioners will have a short discussion with you afterwards and can answer any questions that you might have about training as part of Young Conservatoire.
What will I be doing?
Much like the first year at drama school, you will cover a wide range of fundamentals in acting, including specialist classes in acting basics, movement, and voice work.
You will learn basic acting principles, including improvisation skills, character development and scene analysis. The voice sessions will cover vocal warm-ups and exercises, breath control and projection, as well as accents and dialects. Movement sessions will focus on body awareness, movement styles, physical characterisation, ensemble work and choreographed scenes.
In addition to these courses, you will also have opportunities to attend Masterclasses with industry professionals, learn about marketing yourself as an actor and prepare for auditions, whether for professional opportunities or for drama schools. You will also put on a showcase at the end of term.
The classes that you take will develop throughout the ten weeks of each term and you’ll begin to acquire an understanding of the etiquettes and practices of the industry.
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Admission requirements
Entry to the Young Conservatoire is by audition. There is no audition fee and auditions are conducted online or in-person at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. You will need to present a two-minute speech from a published play. Please choose a character close to your own age.
Applicants must be aged 16 or above on the first day of the course to be able to attend.
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Short Courses Refund Policy
If you wish to cancel your place on the course, you will receive a full refund if you notify the school at least 7 days prior to the start of the course. For cancellations, contact [email protected]
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Short Course Cancellation Policy
We will make all reasonable efforts to deliver a short course as outlined on our site and in any brochure or published material. However, we reserve the right to cancel a short course in case of events outside our control or if the course fails to meet a minimum number of participants. In the event that we cancel a course, we will inform participants who have booked a place via email at least 7 days prior to the start date. We will also provide a full refund of the course fee paid. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School cannot be held responsible for any expenses you incur due to such a cancellation.
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Bursaries for Youth Courses
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. When do bursary applications open for each term?
The dates for bursary applications are as follows:
Spring term Young Artists 2025 – bursary applications are open between Monday 13 January to Friday 21 February 2025. To apply for a bursary place, please complete the Young Artists Bursary form.
Spring term Young Conservatoire 2025 – bursary applications are open between Monday 13 January to Friday 21 February 2025. To apply for a bursary place, please complete the Young Conservatoire Bursary form.
Autumn term Young Artists 2025 – bursary applications are open between Monday 5 May to Friday 30 May 2025After these dates, places will go on general sale, meaning it is still possible to enrol, but that we won’t be able to consider you for a bursary-supported place.
2. I have been allocated a bursary before, do I need to reapply for next term?
If you are currently in receipt of a bursary and your circumstances haven’t changed, you will not need to complete a bursary application form again, but you will need to let us know you wish to be considered for a bursary next term. To do this, please email [email protected] expressing your wish for your bursary to be reviewed for next term.
3. I have been allocated a bursary before, will it be the same amount if I apply again next term?
As we take on new submissions for bursaries each term, the amount you are allocated each term is liable to change. We will inform you of any changes in the amount once all bursaries have been allocated for a term.
4. I have been allocated a bursary, how long do I have before I need to let you know if I will be taking it?
You will have a period of 14 days after the bursary has been allocated to accept it.
5. I haven’t received a bursary before, how do I apply?
We will upload an application form on our website during the bursary application period. Please fill this form to be considered for a bursary.
Forms will be available in the Young Artists Bursaries section on the oldvic.ac.uk/young-artists page.
6. Will all applicants be allocated a bursary?
We will consider all applications sent via our website form and assess them against a set of criteria. However, we cannot guarantee that an applicant will be allocated a bursary.
Some of the assessment criteria we use include (but are not limited to):
> applicant in financial hardship
> disabled applicant
> applicant is from an area of low progression to higher education
> applicant is in care or is a care leaver
> applicant belongs to groups of people who are considered ‘hard to reach’If you have any further questions, please contact [email protected].
- Policies and Procedures
