You’ve thought about it for a long time, now the stage is set…

Pick a name; Benedict Cumberbatch? David Tennant? Kenneth Branagh? Judi Dench? They all started somewhere, and Worcester has its own bubbling pool of potential talent in The Swan Theatre School.

Well known for its productions of Shakespeare, its pantomime, and its large and talented Youth Theatre, the Swan Theatre School is offering something different at our well-loved and busy theatre, and it may just be the perfect path for those wishing to enter the business as a professional performer.

Principal of the Swan Theatre School Nick Wilkes tells us a little more:

“It’s a one-year professional course and the perfect foundation for the profession - one that I wish had been available when I was starting out as an actor. Whether you come from a background of amateur dramatics and are already experienced on stage, if you’re a young person just starting out, or indeed if you’re bursting with talent but never had the opportunity to pursue it as a career, the course provides the support, training and skills required for you to enter the industry directly.”

“The part-time course is two nights a week, with some weekends and longer production periods, which makes the training wonderfully accessible, and allows a person to train in the industry alongside current life commitments. Even if you work full-time, are a parent or a student elsewhere, you can still pursue this goal and become a professional actor.”

Wilkes, who trained at the world-famous Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, is well known to local audiences both as an actor and playwright, and has helped structure the course being offered.

“You’ll get a chance to study all areas of performance as well as the aspects of business required by the industry today; as well as Acting , Movement and Voice classes there are modules on Classical Theatre and Theatre History, Radio, Voiceover and Television technique, Children’s Theatre and Pantomime, as well as learning about the principles of Audition, Self-Promotion, Agents and future work.”

Based at The Swan Theatre in Worcester, many past-graduates have gone on to appear in Worcester Rep productions both here and overseas.

“Work can take you anywhere, but if you’d like to make a good start in this career, then the road starts at Worcester.”

Auditions are being held in August for the autumn intake. Further details can be found at www.theswantheatreschool.co.uk or by contacting the Swan Theatre on 01905 726969.