Acting for the 21st Century
ICTheatre offers a new degree pathway with a difference. Our rigorous training will equip you – both technically and creatively – to succeed as an actor, as well as introduce you to a range of areas that you may never have explored before.
The industry has changed and continues to do so. It is no longer simply a case of just training to be an actor and then waiting for your agent to give you a call
In today’s contemporary theatre, film and television industries, an actor needs to be skilled, adaptable, entrepreneurial and passionate. Creative work prospects are out there – you just need to learn how to find them. You’ll also need to learn how to take opportunities, as well as how to make them for yourself.
We want you to shape your own creative identity, explore what you can offer as an artist, discover new passions and develop your existing skills through:
- Rigorous training from experienced practitioners working in both film and theatre
- A choice of options running alongside your core training
- Thorough preparation for the industry including marketing, self-taping, audition technique and presentation
- Regular sessions in mindfulness and mental resilience
- A chance to hone your own creative identity in the third year and deepen your skills in areas where you have thrived
What to expect
Actor training is changing. You need voices that can communicate. You need bodies that can express. You need imaginations that can take you to different worlds and points of view. Of course you do. But you also need to be able to work in front of a camera, to be able to act for video games, do voice-overs, work puppets, have aerial skills, be able to create, devise, innovate.
You need to understand how to work in immersive theatre, applied theatre, on site-specific projects, create in a number of mediums and on a range of platforms. We want you to be ready to meet the exciting and diverse demands of the industry in the 21st Century.
The aim of this route is to equip graduates with the relevant skills for the industry today. Actors will be rigorously trained, vocally and physically, and will engage with clear and established acting methodologies providing them with the necessary tools and skillsets for a range of work. Areas that have been identified as being particularly relevant in current practice will be explored.
For example: immersive theatre, acting for video games, site-specific work, acting for camera, applied theatre, circus skills and voice-over techniques. These will run alongside the more traditional actor training thereby ensuring that graduates leave fully proficient, but also with the ability to adapt to a variety of challenges. Acting for the 21st Century also focuses on entrepreneurship, creative identity and individuality.
Acting Patron
Tom Mothersdale – Award-winning Actor
Tom has worked consistently in film, television, radio and stage productions, playing lead roles at The Globe, Headlong Theatre, The Almeida, The Young Vic, The Royal Court and The National Theatre.
In 2015 he won an Ian Charleson Award for his performance in The Cherry Orchard and he performed in Ella Hickson’s play Oil at The Almeida, which was voted best play of the year by the Guardian.
He then went on to perform in the critically acclaimed John at The National Theatre directed by James Macdonald before playing the title role of Richard iii with Headlong theatre company in 2019.
Tom has worked extensively on screen – playing roles in long-running British Television Series’ such as Peaky Blinders, Endeavour and Doc Martin. Tom also worked on a Hollywood movie Overlord, which was produced by Star Wars director J.J. Abrams and was named in The Times as one of the top five young actors to look out for in 2019.
Masterclasses
We believe that developing your industry connections is a key component to a successful career in the creative arts. ICTheatre offers a wide range of Masterclasses with performers and industry experts.
The likes of Dominic Keavey (TV Director), Layton Williams (West End Performer) and Natalie Weiss (Vocalist) have given our Training Professionals advice and career tips that you won’t find in any textbook.
Your lecturers
Our expert lecturers will provide you with essential insider tips and exclusive knowledge that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s their role to help you step into the performing arts industry with confidence.
Phil is a professional actor who’s career has covered working in all areas of the industry both nationally and internationally. He has acted in 9 productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) being invited to become part of Sir Michael Boyd’s Long Ensemble company in 2011.
Dorothy has an MA in Voice Studies from Central School of Speech and Drama and fifteen years experience as a Voice teacher and Accent and dialect Coach.
Callum has worked extensively on the international street theatre circuit with innovative physical theatre companies like Artizani, Reckless Invention and Bread and Butter appearing at major festivals and events around the world.
Choose a course
Our courses are aimed at presenting the industry with individuals who are not only talented and professionally trained, but also well-equipped, both physically and mentally, to face the inevitable challenges they’ll encounter as they break into the business.
BA (Hons) Performing Arts consists of three pathways: Musical Theatre, Acting, and Hip-Hop Artistry; each providing in-depth training shaped by current industry trends.
ICTheatre’s specialised one-year Degree Top-up programme has been designed to enable committed performers to extend their understanding of performing arts in either: Contemporary Musical Theatre, Acting for the 21st Century or Hip Hop Artistry.
Any questions?
For more information on our Acting for the 21st Century pathway or if you have any questions about how to apply to ICTheatre, please contact our Enquiries Team on 01273 840 346 or email enquiries@bimm.ac.uk.
