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London Academy Of Music And Dramatic Arts (LAMDA)
The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is a drama school located in Hammersmith, London. It is the oldest specialist drama school in the British Isles and a founding member of the Federation of Drama Schools. The London Academy of Music was founded by Henry Wylde in 1861. This makes it the oldest university in the UK.
Why LAMDA In The UK Is The Best School For Drama?
History
Providing training and examinations on music was originally the dominant purpose of the institution. However, providing instruction in spoken English quickly became a core area of the Academy’s work.
In the 1880s, London Academy Of Music And Dramatic Art began offering speech examinations to the public. Since then, these examinations have been refined and developed into a comprehensive system of performance evaluation. LAMDA Examinations have emerged as the largest Speech and Drama Board in the United Kingdom.
In 1904, the school was amalgamated with two other London music institutions that had sprung up since the academy was founded, namely the London Music School, and the Forest Gate School of Music renamed as the Metropolitan Academy of Music. The Metropolitan Academy of Music severed its links with the London Academy of Music in 1907.
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art was previously an associate member of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama, having joined in 2004, and received funding through the Conservatoire from the Office for Students. It left the Conservatoire on 31 July 2019 to become an independent institution and now receives funding directly from the Office for Students and Research England.
Facilities
In 2003, LAMDA decided to move its teaching school and theatre to its current location in Hammersmith in West London. It acquired the old premises of the Royal Ballet School on Talgarth Road. The move to Talgarth Road enabled LAMDA to develop a campus with new training facilities. The site was previously home to the Royal Ballet School, which moved to new, purpose-built facilities adjacent to the Royal Opera House. The LAMDA complex has three theatres and various rehearsal spaces and meeting rooms. The three theatres are:
- The Sainsbury Theatre
- The Carne Studio Theatre
- The Linbury Studio
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London-based London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art is the oldest and one of the most famous drama schools in the UK, with alumni that include Benedict Cumberbatch, Donald Sutherland, and David Oyelowo. They don’t offer a one-year MA for UK students (it’s only for international students), but there is a two-year MFA (Master of Fine Arts), where students work in small-group classes and will receive constant, personalised feedback and support to advance their skill-set and accelerate their career. The first year covers core disciplines of acting, voice, movement, and music, and includes screen, audio, and new-writing projects alongside material from Jacobean plays to contemporary theatre. The second year will prepare you to become an independent and stand-out professional within the industry.
It’s also worth mentioning that LAMDA’s new boss Sarah Frankcom has been at the forefront of improving accessibility for low-income actors, and LAMDA has recently slashed audition fees.
Also Read: Did You Know These Iconic Films And Television Shows Filmed In The UK Cities?
FAQ’s
What Qualifications Do You Need To Get Into LAMDA?
The minimum entry age for LAMDA courses is 18, with the exception of the short courses Introduction to Drama School, Audition Technique and Introduction to Screen Acting, which have a minimum age of 16.
What Is The London Academy Of Music And Dramatic Art Acceptance Rate?
It include drama school training as the first step to launching your acting career. However, getting into a reputable drama school like RADA, LAMDA or Guildhall is not easy and it takes a lot of smart planning, determination, hard work and some talent.
Can You Get A Student Loan For LAMDA?
If you are a UK citizen and have a place on their BA (Hons) Professional Acting or one of the Production & Technical Arts courses, you may be entitled to a government student loan. If you’re studying at a postgraduate level, you may be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.
How Many Times Can You Apply To LAMDA?
Those applying more than once will not be offered additional interviews / auditions and will not have the additional application fee refunded. To give every applicant two to three weeks’ notice of an audition or interview, but this can vary according to the time of year.
What Age Group Is LAMDA For?
Children from the age of 5 can prepare for Introductory examinations in Verse and Prose, with the Advanced Levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals being open to applicants from the age of 14 to adult.
Are LAMDA Exams Worth It?
Values of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art exams are accredited by the government and as such are worth credits but are also worth UCAS points, useful for university and college entrance, in their higher grades (grades 6,7 and 8).
How Are LAMDA Exams Graded?
The LAMDA Exam Marking System From Entry level children receive an individual mark, 50% or more is a Pass, 65% or more is a Merit and 80% or more is a Distinction. From the first Introductory Grade the examiner will spend a part of the exam engaging a pupil in a question and answer session.
Other Drama Schools In The UK
Along with London Academy Of Music And Dramatic Art drama schools in the UK there are more schools for fine arts such as:
- Guildhall School Of Music & Drama (GSMD)
- Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art (RADA)
- Central School Of Speech And Drama (CSSD)
- Drama Centre London
PS: If there’s anything more you’d like us to know about. Add it to the comments section!
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