Drama Centre
Encyclopedia
Drama Centre London is a British drama school
in King's Cross, London
, where it recently relocated after a major reshaping of the university. The school is part of the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
of the University of the Arts London
and is a member of the Conference of Drama Schools
. The BA (Hons) Acting course, offered by the school, is accredited by the National Council for Drama Training
.
, led by John Blatchley, Yat Malmgren
and Christopher Fettes. The school was located originally on Prince of Wales Road, Chalk Farm
, but moved first to Back Hill, Clerkenwell
in 2004, then to its current site at King's Cross in 2011. Since 1999, it has operated as an integral school of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
, offering degree programmes in acting
, directing and screenwriting.
A principal aim in the founding of the school was to bring some of the major developments in American and European theatre to the training of British and international actors. Its approach articulates Stanislavski's system, with the movement work of Rudolf Laban
and the character typology of C.G. Jung to produce a 'movement psychology' for the analysis and development of characters. The school's work also draws on the English tradition, particularly that of Joan Littlewood
and Theatre Workshop
. These approaches are taught as part of the Western theatrical tradition that began with the Greeks, on which the school places great emphasis. When the school was founded, it was the only drama school in the country to have an acting class, and is considered to be the first 'Method' drama school in Britain.
Like most drama schools, Drama Centre places a particular emphasis on the work of Stanislavski,also training students in improvisation through the Vakhtangov and Lecoq traditions. The school offers a theatre-based training incorporating both modern and classical texts, and also prepares actors for the demands of screen acting, for which it has a two year postgraduate course. In September 2005, the school launched an advanced MA training course in 'European Classical Acting' which includes residencies at both the Vakhtangov Theatre Academy in Moscow and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.
The Drama Centre has always had an international outlook and was the first British drama school to introduce some of the great classics of the European repertoire: Spanish, German and French. Today, this tradition continues and is reflected in a broad spectrum of international links, which includes schools in the USA, Russia and China.
Drama school
A drama school or theatre school is an undergraduate and/or graduate school or department at a college or university; or a free-standing institution ; which specialises in the pre-professional training in drama and theatre arts, such as acting, design and technical theatre, arts administration, and...
in King's Cross, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where it recently relocated after a major reshaping of the university. The school is part of the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London. The school has an outstanding international reputation, and is considered one of the world's leading art and design institutions...
of the University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London
The University of the Arts London, formerly known as the London Institute, is a collegiate university comprising six internationally recognised art, design, fashion and media colleges in London, England...
and is a member of the Conference of Drama Schools
Conference of Drama Schools
The Conference of Drama Schools comprises 22 accredited drama schools in Britain. Founded in 1969, the 22 member schools offer courses in Acting, Musical Theatre, Directing and Technical Theatre training.-Members:...
. The BA (Hons) Acting course, offered by the school, is accredited by the National Council for Drama Training
National Council for Drama Training
The National Council for Drama Training is a partnership of employers in the theatre, broadcast and media industry, employee representatives and training providers....
.
History
Drama Centre London was founded in 1963 by a breakaway group of teachers and students from the Central School of Speech and DramaCentral School of Speech and Drama
The Central School of Speech and Drama was founded in London in 1906 by Elsie Fogerty to offer a new form of training in speech and drama for young actors and other students...
, led by John Blatchley, Yat Malmgren
Yat Malmgren
Yat Malmgren was a Swedish dancer and acting teacher, born in Gävle, Sweden to Gustaf Sigurd Eriksson and Signe Emma Maria Malmgren....
and Christopher Fettes. The school was located originally on Prince of Wales Road, Chalk Farm
Chalk Farm
Chalk Farm is an area of north London, England. It lies directly to the north of Camden Town and its underground station is the closest tube station to the nearby, upmarket neighbourhood of Primrose Hill....
, but moved first to Back Hill, Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is an area of central London in the London Borough of Islington. From 1900 to 1965 it was part of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The well after which it was named was rediscovered in 1924. The watchmaking and watch repairing trades were once of great importance...
in 2004, then to its current site at King's Cross in 2011. Since 1999, it has operated as an integral school of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London. The school has an outstanding international reputation, and is considered one of the world's leading art and design institutions...
, offering degree programmes in acting
Acting
Acting is the work of an actor or actress, which is a person in theatre, television, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by portraying a character and, usually, speaking or singing the written text or play....
, directing and screenwriting.
A principal aim in the founding of the school was to bring some of the major developments in American and European theatre to the training of British and international actors. Its approach articulates Stanislavski's system, with the movement work of Rudolf Laban
Rudolf Laban
Rudolf von Laban aka Rudolf Laban was a dance artist and theorist whose work laid the foundations for Laban Movement Analysis and other more specific developments in dance notation...
and the character typology of C.G. Jung to produce a 'movement psychology' for the analysis and development of characters. The school's work also draws on the English tradition, particularly that of Joan Littlewood
Joan Littlewood
Joan Maud Littlewood was a British theatre director, noted for her work in developing the left-wing Theatre Workshop...
and Theatre Workshop
Theatre Workshop
Theatre Workshop is a theatre group noted for their director, Joan Littlewood. Many actors of the 1950s and 1960s received their training and first exposure with the company...
. These approaches are taught as part of the Western theatrical tradition that began with the Greeks, on which the school places great emphasis. When the school was founded, it was the only drama school in the country to have an acting class, and is considered to be the first 'Method' drama school in Britain.
Like most drama schools, Drama Centre places a particular emphasis on the work of Stanislavski,also training students in improvisation through the Vakhtangov and Lecoq traditions. The school offers a theatre-based training incorporating both modern and classical texts, and also prepares actors for the demands of screen acting, for which it has a two year postgraduate course. In September 2005, the school launched an advanced MA training course in 'European Classical Acting' which includes residencies at both the Vakhtangov Theatre Academy in Moscow and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.
The Drama Centre has always had an international outlook and was the first British drama school to introduce some of the great classics of the European repertoire: Spanish, German and French. Today, this tradition continues and is reflected in a broad spectrum of international links, which includes schools in the USA, Russia and China.
The Platform Theatre
The Platform Theatre is a receiving and producing theatre situated in the Central Saint Martins complex at King's Cross. The theatre holds 360 in a variety of configurations, has an orchestra pit and a full flying tower and is equiped to high professional standards. The theatre aims to present all aspects of the performing arts. Productions by students of Drama Centre London are presented here, as is work by students of other colleges of the University of the Arts, London.Advisory Council
- Christopher Honer (Chairman)
- Aaron HarrisAaron HarrisAaron Harris may refer to:* Aaron Harris , known for playing Myles Byrne * Aaron Harris * Aaron Harris * Aaron Harris , competitor in 2011 ITU Triathlon World Championships...
- Adrian NobleAdrian NobleAdrian Keith Noble is a theatre director, and was also the artistic director and chief executive of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1990 to 2003.-Education and career:...
- Aaron Harris
- Jack ShepherdJack ShepherdJack Shepherd is an English actor, playwright, theatre director, saxophone player and jazz pianist, who made his film debut in 1969 with All Neat in Black Stockings and The Virgin Soldiers. He is perhaps best known for his television roles, most notably the title role in detective drama Wycliffe...