PRODUCTION-BASED TRAINING

Sydney Theatre School's Diploma of Theatre Performance is a unique concept for actor training in Australia. The training is production-based, meaning that students learn primarily by rehearsing and performing plays in front of an audience. This is the best and most effective way of laying the foundations for a professional acting career.

BENEFITS

Develop high-level skills in acting, voice, movement, improvisation and stagecraft
Gain a practical understanding of the skills required to pursue a professional acting career
Work along side like-minded individuals in a fun, supportive and creative environment
Network with industry professionals
Showcase your work to agents, directors, casting directors and producers
Perform in three full productions directed by high-profile directors

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

  • To provide students with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes required of professional actors
  • To promote and encourage individuality, confidence and self-sufficiency
  • To develop personal qualities including passion, imagination, self-discipline, and reliability
  • To acquire ensemble skills through the development of positive and constructive relationships
  • To promote the concept of serving the audience
  • To provide students with a supportive learning environment, while simulating industry conditions

WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT TO OTHER ACTOR-TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

Traditional drama schools and acting courses spend a great deal of time on class-work and exercises that are not related to a specific performance context. Acting technique, voice, movement, improvisation and production studies are usually regarded as separate subjects. There is also often a large amount of repetition designed to extend the course over a longer period than may actually be necessary. Consequently, fast learners and more advanced students find themselves going over the same old ground when what they really need is performance experience.

TEACHING PHILOSPHY

The best way to learn and consolidate skills in acting, voice, movement and improvisation is through rehearsal and performance in an integrated format that has immediate relevance. Many professional actors would agree that they learnt more about their craft performing in productions (after graduation) than they did in three years at drama school. Indeed, many successful professionals have no formal classroom training whatsoever.

PROCESS

The Sydney Theatre School course is underpinned with relevant theoretical concepts and supplemented by specialist exercises when required. The process gives students the opportunity to learn by experience and to develop professional knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that are required for employment in the theatre and entertainment industry. Students accepted onto the course begin rehearsing the first production almost immediately, and perform in front of public audiences at the end of each term.