MFA Classical Acting: Performance & Practice

During the first year of this course, you'll have three compulsory year-long modules in:

• Acting in Classical Theatre PDF 139.68kb
• Movement and Physicality in Theatre PDF 127.36kb
• Voice Speech Song and the Classical Text PDF 138.62kb

In the second year you'll take part in two modules and work more independently:

• Pedagogies of Classical Acting PDF 137.28kb
• New Classics Project PDF 133.02kb

This challenging and rewarding MFA acting postgraduate course will enhance and develop your craft through experiencing world-class conservatoire training. While this will be the first intake year for the MFA Classical Acting course, LAMDA has a long history of exemplary training for the classical theatre. This course is principally aimed at graduates who may have some professional acting experience. Applicants should have a knowledge and interest in classical texts and the speaking of verse and prose, and a commitment to a career as a professional actor.

The MFA certification is particularly useful for prospective applicants from the United States (among others), for whom it will serve as an entry-level qualification for college teaching in Arts subjects.

On this course you'll benefit from working collaboratively as an ensemble as well as independently to carry out an independent project. We build upon this tradition and take it further by exploring emerging new techniques and possibilities in contemporary theatre.

This immersive MFA will advance your knowledge and give you a fuller skillset to draw on in your work. We teach each student as an individual, which means that you’ll be able to build on your prior experience whilst encouraging your growth as a professional actor.

This course is only suitable if you have previous experience in the industry or a qualification in drama or acting.

Acting Courses Equipment List

A lot of the work at LAMDA is physical/movement based you should always be dressed comfortably in clothes that do not prohibit movement.

Essential

• Basic black sweatshirt
• Basic black T-shirt
• Black sweatpants/jogging bottoms
• Yoga mat – For reasons of hygiene we recommend that students purchase their own.

Highly recommended

For rehearsal/character work

• Black trousers and/or skirt. Skirt should be floor length and loose. Skirts may also be needed for certain dance lessons.
• White shirt.
• Black shoes with a solid heel (not trainers) or character shoes
• Laptop/tablet.
• Wi-Fi

Recommended

• Black footless tights
• Trainers

Books

Your recommended reading lists will be sent out separately. Most of these books can be found in the LAMDA library therefore there is no need to purchase. These books are for reference and additional learning.

Other

It can be useful to have a recording device so that you can record accents, music etc. It is sufficient to have a phone with the facility to record sound.

You should have a knowledge and interest in classical texts and the speaking of verse and prose and a commitment to a career as a professional actor. The MFA certification is particularly useful for US students (among others), for whom it will serve as an entry-level qualification for college teaching in Arts subjects.

You should be a fluent English speaker. Non-native speakers do not need to provide an English language test report when they apply, as we assess this at the auditions. However, you’ll need to provide a valid IELTS test report with an overall score of seven if you’re offered a place. We can only accept IELTS for UKVI.

LAMDA does not make conditional offers, or adjust entry requirements according to non-academic criteria.

Tuition fees
Fees are reviewed annually.

2024/25 entry:
UK & International students: £36,540

Application fees

• £88 for US-based applicants for in-person auditions. 
• ​​​​​£27.50 UCAS fee (for 6 choices) for UK & International applicants, plus £15 first-round audition fee. Recall fees to be confirmed.  

If you’re interested in applying to two or more LAMDA courses, please let the Admissions team know by emailing [email protected]. There is no need to apply to more than one LAMDA course in your UCAS application choices.

Find out if you qualify for audition fee waivers here.

Course fees confirmed in an offer letter may be increased in further years of study by an inflationary amount determined in accordance with measures set by government.

For the first 12 months (180 credits) of the course, learning and teaching take place in the following ways:

• Tutor-led classes and director-led practical workshops
• Experiential learning including discipline-based classes and workshop productions.

All classes are considered ‘calls’ and attendance is compulsory as reflected in current practice within the industry. There is an emphasis on skills development and research-based practice, led by experienced practitioners in a realistic theatre environment.

In the final six months (60 credits) of the course:

• Learning is designed to be significantly more independent.
• Teaching is carried out through weekly lecture/seminar sessions which may be attended remotely online, while the rest of the week is dedicated to independent study.
• Students also benefit from study skill support sessions and 1-2-1 supervision sessions.

• Assessment is continuous and measured against the learning outcomes.
• Students receive both formal and informal feedback as they work on the modules.
• For the first year (180 credits) of the course students' progress is monitored through the mechanism of dialogue with teachers and directors. Feedback is individually delivered assessment given in written and verbal form during one-to-one tutorials at the end of each term.
• Acting showings will be used to observe, and assess subject specific skills.
• In the final six months (60 credits) of the course, learning is designed to grant the student significant independence, and assessment consists of 100% coursework made up of independent portfolio assignments.

• The history and context of classical texts such as Shakespearean, Jacobean era, Spanish Golden Age, Restoration and French Classical Theatre, their ideological influences, their development and influence on modern theatre practice.
• Research techniques for textual and script analysis that can be applied to future work beyond the course.
• The key theories and practices of working with verse and prose based texts
• Explore the interpretations of characters within their original context
• Gain a critical awareness of current trends and key practitioners in contemporary classical theatre
• Key approaches to the pedagogy of Shakespeare and classical acting
• You will be able to respond creatively to contemporary issues in the context of their historical development.
• Be able to bring to life and sustain engaging characterisations through textual analysis, research, rehearsal and performance.
• Be able to apply advanced acting, voice and movement skills to the performance media of theatre.
• Be able to communicate effectively through the use of verse and prose with a fellow actor in the realisation of the work.
• To develop the actor’s voice as a fit, strong and flexible instrument in order to become an expressive and responsive channel for the emotional and intellectual needs of the actor, the character and the text.
• Development of professional personal strategies to sustain a career as a freelance performer.

Recalls in the UK are to be confirmed, but are likely to be in the last week of July.

Standard UK student Visa rules apply, find more information here.

Applicants should have a Visa in place to cover their study in the UK for the entire duration of the course. The second year of the course allows time for independent study.

It might be possible to study abroad for the final part of the course, but there are Visa implications and funding implications for students which would make it unviable in many cases. If this is your intention, discuss your plans in detail with our Admissions team before accepting an offer.

Contact our Admissions Team to discuss moving your application to different course. It may be necessary to send in a second self-tape video if the course requirements differ, but you will be contacted individually if that is the case.

Both the MA Classical Acting for the Professional Theatre and MFA Classical Acting: Performance & Practice are available for funding via UK student loans and US federal loans.

None of the scholarships available to postgraduate students are able to cover both tuition fees and living costs entirely, and applicants for these courses are encouraged to consider other funding sources. 

Leverhulme Arts Scholarships created to support incoming students on any of LAMDA’s degree courses, full and partial scholarships are available for incoming students on any of LAMDA's degree courses, undergraduate and postgraduate.

Find out more

Agents and casting directors are invited to attend the production at the end of the course. Towards the end of your degree, you’ll gain professional insight through three masterclasses with industry professionals.

You'll be eligible to join our Alumni community platform LAMDA Connect upon graduation. Find out more about how LAMDA will support you beyond your training here.

Eligible to work in USA or Canada?

LAMDA's training will culminate in a series of professional development and industry events to support your growth as a professional artist and the start/continuation of your career in North America. This may include digital or in-person events to help graduates gain exposure and will be tailored each year to best suit the current industry.