RADA intends to maintain and strengthen its position within the English-speaking world as the foremost centre of excellence in its field. RADA is a vocational training establishment, which equips student actors, actresses, stage managers and technical craft specialists for careers at the highest level in theatre, television, film and radio.

RADA will continue to select students solely on the strength of their talent, potential, individuality and suitability to be trained; regardless of gender, religion, disability,
ethnic origin or income".

The Academy welcomes applications from disabled students and you are encouraged to let us know of any relevant conditions so that we can ensure that appropriate support is in place for your audition or interview and during the course. We have considerable experience of supporting students with a wide range of impairments and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia, visual and hearing impairments and mental health issues.

Premises and Facilities

Founded by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in 1904, the Academy was established the following year in Gower/Malet Street where it has functioned ever since.

The new, fully accessible, Gower/Malet Street buildings re-opened following extensive renovation and rebuilding in 2000. They house three purpose built theatres – the new Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, a highly flexible proscenium design, the refurbished GBS Studio Theatre and the new John Gielgud Studio Theatre.

In addition there are technical workshops, a sound studio with three associated control rooms, wardrobe and electrics teaching rooms, acting studios, administration offices, box office and foyer with both bar and catering facilities open to the general public.

In the 1990s the Academy acquired further property in Chenies Street which is adjacent to Gower Street. These premises have also been rebuilt and refurbished during the academic year 2003/4 and are due to be completed in 2005 which will mark the final stage of the Academy’s Centenary Project.

The Chenies Street facilities include the RADA library with over 25,000 books, property making department, acting teaching studios, student and staff common rooms and the Refectory providing subsidised meals.

Full Time Validated Courses

The following courses, each of which can only be taken in its entirety, are validated by King’s College London:

1. BA Acting (H Level) 2. Graduate Diploma in Theatre Technical Arts (H Level) 3. Graduate Diploma in Theatre Design (H Level) 4. Graduate Diploma in Theatre Directing (H Level) 5. Specialist Technical Graduate Certificates (H Level) – Scenic Art/Scenic Construction/ Stage Electrics and Lighting Design/ Wardrobe/Property Making

The BA Acting programme leads to the award of a University of London degree.The Graduate Diploma in Theatre Technical Arts, Graduate Diploma in Theatre Design, Specialist Technical Graduate Certificates and Graduate Certificate in Theatre Directing lead to an award from King’s College. Students who successfully complete their course will also receive the RADA Diploma

Short Courses

The Academy runs a series of short courses throughout the year designed to appeal to participants with varying degrees of acting experience (see pages 21-22 for full details).

Conservatoire for Dance and Drama

The Conservatoire for Dance and Drama (CDD) was established in 2001 to provide a leadership organisation for dance and drama training of the very highest quality. All of the training offered by the Conservatoire is delivered by the schools affiliated to CDD.

CDD has eight affiliates at present:

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School London Contemporary Dance School Northern School of Contemporary Dance Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) Central School of Ballet Rambert Dance Company The Circus Space London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA)

Through its leadership the CDD helps to shape the future of the art forms of dance and drama and promotes and facilitates collaboration between affiliates and their students and staff while respecting the
independence of the affiliated schools.

As a designated Higher Education Institution, CDD receives funding from central government via the
Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). CDD is funded in the same way as universities
and other higher education institutions, so students attending any of the affiliate schools will be eligible for the same financial assistance such as loans and assistance with payment of tuition fees as students at other English universities. This enables the affiliated schools to select students on the
basis of talent alone.

CDD has its own website www.cdd.ac.uk and further information is available from each affiliate website. Specific enquiries about CDD can be sent to info@cdd.ac.uk.