DRAMA TRAINING

The acting method taught at HTS is a hybrid of many styles but it is also a simplified one that has its roots based in common sense. 'Truth and Focus' are the key words. and all the acting exercises revolve around the attainment of 'Truth' through 'Focus'.

THE FIRST YEAR

Acting truthfully is straight forward only actors complicate it, and much of the initial work, especially in the first year, is about teaching the basics of this system and stripping away any acquired bad habits and false pre-conceptions of what 'Acting' is. In the second term the first years are exposed to the general public for the first time, which compared to most drama schools is quite early. HTS believes that the learning curve experienced in live performance is something that should not be left to later in the training programme. Understanding the power of the system taught does not take that long, truthful acting is not, despite some opinions, Rocket Science, what takes time is gaining the ability to perform 'truthfully' without thinking about it, allowing the system to work naturally through habit. It is important that students have the system securely tucked under their belt before moving into the second year, and this is achieved through continual assessment and constant feed back.

THE SECOND YEAR

The Second year, concentrates much more on the deepness of 'Focus' and the quality of 'Truth' in the actor's work. This is achieved through challenging exercises that ask questions of your ability and desire to reach a higher level of performance. During the second year terms we begin the barrier breaking classes that take you to depths of performance that at the same time can be exciting yet frightening, revealing but disconcerting. All obstacles to excellent acting need to be cleared away before embarking on the third year work. During this year students start to work on classical and historical work such as Greek, Roman, Liturgical Drama, Mystery Cycles, Miracle and Morality plays Elizabethan and Jacobean, Restoration works, and writers of great impact such as Ibsen, Strindberg, Chekhov and Coward. There is a constant flow of outside directors running classes and producing plays for performance, ensuring that a well grounded and confident actor steps out of the second year and into the third year.

THE THIRD YEAR

The Third year is very much about the speed of your work, and sets out to prepare you for the reality of the profession. The bottom line is that our Arts is also a business. We are in the business of art, and most businesses run to budgets and deadlines, budget and deadlines that have to be met. It is a case of, we know you are good, but in an audition situation how quickly can you show how good you are. Most of the time in the profession you do not have the time to discuss and experiment for long periods of time, this is a luxury that only tends to exist at drama school and professional companies with huge funding. The huge 'drop out' of actors from the profession within the first two years of graduating, can be down to a combination of too little work for actors aged 21-25 and the fact that they have not been properly prepared for the 'real' world. Our students are shown how to cope with being unemployed as well as being employed. This includes giving the students a realistic view of what to expect, teaching them the importance of preparation and patience, and the presence of a school that continues to guide and offer professional advice long after graduation.

DRAMA EDUCATION

In the third year the Students are encouraged to develop their own drama workshops and are given the opportunity of showcasing these and taking them into local schools. An example of this is the TIE tour.

TIE TOUR

During the final year they are shown how to produce, set up and run their own TIE tour. This usually takes the form of a Christmas play, which is performed at approximatley 40 primary schools over the last two weeks of the autumn term.

THE REVUE

This is an opportunity to combine the acting training, singing training, dance training and musical theatre training into one show.

ONE HANDER

Students are guided through a process of writing creating and producing their own one actor show. This is performed in front of the school and provides an invaluable insight into the creation of a play. Not only do they then graduate with a production they can tour, but they also have the option of passing this skill on to other drama students in the UK.