Acting Summer School for Ages 16–17

Course dates & times

Course 1
Monday 21 July – Friday 1 August 2025 (excluding weekends)
9.30am–5.30pm 

Course 2
Monday 4 – Friday 15 August 2025 (excluding weekends)
9.30am–5.30pm

The course may include some evening activities.

About the course

This two-week course offers an inspirational insight into contemporary actor training for young people aged 16-17.

Throughout the two weeks, you will work with industry professional directors on a project, as well as workshops led by theatre and screen acting practitioners. Each day will introduce you to a multitude of new skills, from voice and movement, to self-taping, classical text and improvisation.

Who is the course for?

Anyone aged 16 to 17 with a passion for acting and theatre, whether you are joining to try something different, exploring your passion, considering auditioning for drama school, or pursuing acting a career.

What can I expect?

You will work with a dedicated project director on a project built around a set text. The course will follow a split day structure, with half of the day spent exploring a rehearsal process on a chosen play, and the other half in various craft-based workshops. You will work in a group of up to 16 participants.

You can expect to:

• Apply fundamental acting techniques, such as a character’s objectives in a scene or speech
• Learn about improvisation, self-taping, voice and movement
• Expand your skillset with workshops in singing and dance
• Increase your knowledge of verse speaking and iambic pentameter
• Extract themes from a play through text analysis and learn about the importance of a scene partner
• Explore the importance of ensemble through contemporary plays
• Decode and demystify Shakespeare

"Guildhall has given me, not only skills and knowledge that have helped me develop so much as an actor, but a newfound confidence in myself" 
– Amelie, participant on Acting Summer School for ages 16-17, 2024