RADA Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Founded by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in 1904

Course Outline
In the first year the training covers an introduction to stage design and other technical theatre disciplines:

• scenic art
• scenic construction
• stagecraft
• prop-making
• stage lighting
• wardrobe
• health and safety
• stage management
• project work

In addition you will begin your career as a stage designer with projects designed to develop your skills of observation, text analysis, creative interpretation and communication.

The second year aims to expand the creative identity in design, the alternative and/or flexible space and genre and style of theatrical expression. You will develop your personality as a designer, in particular in the fields of musical theatre and/or opera, and communication via 2D and 3D presentation.Throughout the course you will be given the opportunity to take on the role of assistant to a professional designer on Academy productions and in your final term you will develop your practical involvement on productions through taking on a supervisory role as the designer of your own production. At the end of the course, your project work will be exhibited, giving you the opportunity to talk about your work with an invited group of industry contacts.

Graduates from this course have gone on to become set and costume designers in theatre and film and we are proud to announce that a recent graduate has gained the coveted position of assistant
to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s set and costume designers.

For general information on entry requirements and admissions, click here

Entry Requirements
• Foundation course or first degree in art or design or related field at further education level or higher or extensive relevant work experience at amateur or professional level

Admissions
• Intake of up to two students in September each year
• You will be asked to bring a portfolio and samples of previous work to your interview. Your portfolio should include original work; work demonstrating an interest in colour, life drawing, still life or landscape, sculpture or installation or mixed media; drawings, paintings, printmaking. Avoid photocopies or photographs unless the scale of the work is very large or 3D. Sketchbooks should show the process of creative thinking which supports the finished work. Theatre production work needs to include process work, which shows how you problem solved to get to the end results.

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Note: RADA does not discriminate against applicants on the grounds of sex, disability, ethnicity, religion or sexuality. We welcome applications from disabled people and offer places solely on the basis of potential and suitability to enter the profession. The school is mainly housed in a newly refurbished building which provides good access for wheelchair users.