Drama schools for summer

[popsickle555]

I know it’s not ‘higher education’ but I realise that many with DC’s who have gone passed this stage and are into the performing arts will know the answer to my questions.,

I have a keen actress who would like to do a week long summer school for acting (ideally) but would be open to musical theatre. She’s 13 and I am happy to stay in London or Manchester (or anywhere really!) for the week with her (or send her if it’s a residential).

She has some experience in terms of the stage and musical grade 5 in piano / singing and also Lamda acting grade 5. Has been in numerous amateur productions.

I am just wondering if anyone can share some ideas for week long courses for summer holidays with me? Budget is up to £1000. I know they can be very competitive so am planning to apply to a few. Thank you

I should add she’s done a week long daily camp every year since she was 6 but they have always very amateur with a large age range, no auditions etc and some better than very in terms of teaching quality. Others more of a summer holiday club. She is looking for something to really develop her skills and open up her world in terms of what’s out there rather than just something fun (hopefully that too of course!)

Where are you based?

Guildford School of acting (GSA) do summer courses. My DD did one and some people were staying locally in Airbnbs etc. not sure when the application deadline was/ is though.

The people who run Best Theatre Arts are great. Based in St Albans.

She'll have to wait til she's 18 but this one I can personally recommend

https://www.rada.ac.uk/short-courses/shakespeare-summer-school/

When I did it in the 80s we had a couple of American film actors on it. Which was - exciting!

Have a look at the NYT website. They do some short courses but also plan ahead for next year as you would need to apply a few months ahead

Brit school does this and is within budget. You’d pick to performing arts pathway and think you can do one week or two: https://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk/page/?title=BRIT+Summer+Croydon&pid=1399
Unlike the main Brit school stuff it’s not competitive, more like a summer camp version of their Saturday classes but it’s a good place for that age to spend a week or two doing what they love.

DD did a course at Italia Conti - she absolutely loved it (and DD is very hard to please) It also helped her realise she didn’t want to study there, so it was very useful. I stayed in a hotel in Woking with her.

I was going to suggest Brit School. Also Arts Ed Summer School. There is also a stagecoach type summer school in Greenwich - I’d need to double check the name but no point unless we know the area the op is wanting!

Trinity Laban?

www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/whats-on-take-part/?type=take-part-summer-schools-holiday-courses&utm_campaign=nn-summer-schools-2025&utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=paid_stories&utm_content=813630&campaign_id=120220005653040437&utm_id=120220005653040437&utm_term=120220005795130437&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0BMABhZGlkAasb3vFa94UBp2IHANNqQtN7upTEdoIPUBTfdVM09JKIqU66G8yFiEVSHDNM-R9bE5WCy8CO_aem_L480v2JsUMPEs9i70jwm9w

I think you are too late for this summer. I have slightly older child and started looking for similar in February, to no avail. Most need booking/auditions in the Autumn for the following summer. Plan ahead now for next year, also being aged 14 then, not 13 will open up a few more possibilities

The Brit and Arts Ed summer schools still have availability for this year and for that age they're not about auditions, pretty sure you can just book in and enjoy. Not a bad idea to do that this year while planning ahead for NYT and similar selective ones that are v competitive in future. Laban is for older kids but another good one for down the line.

GSA is still open for summer bookings

Thank you - these are all fantastic ideas.

we are in between Manchester and Sheffield but I have a place to stay in London if needed and also happy to pay for a hotel for a week anywhere really. I want her to do it and go to a decent one.

there is one in Manchester (Hope Mill) but I don’t think the standard is as high as many listed on here.

ive realised I’m too late for lots this year although can see many are 14+ so can apply for those for next year as she’s too young anyway. But I’ll check out the Brit school and others listed that are still open. Thanks all