Italia Conti | |
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Address | |
Italia Conti, 47 Church Street West , , GU21 6DG United Kingdom | |
Information | |
Type | Further Education, Higher Education, Conservatoire-style, Performing Arts, Actor Training, |
Established | 1911 |
Founder | Italia Emily Stella Conti |
Specialist | Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance |
Principal/CEO | Hayley Newton-Jarvis |
COO | Miranda Tatton-Brown |
Vice Principals | Bradley Hawkins, Dan Fulham |
Age | 16 (FE), 18 (HE)+ |
Affiliations | |
Website | https://www.italiaconti.com |
The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts (drama school), also known as Italia Conti Arts Centre, and formerly known as the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, is a conservatoire-style drama school based in Woking, England. It was founded by the actress Italia Conti in 1911.[1] Italia Conti delivers courses in acting, musical theatre, and dance, catering mostly for 16+ and 18+ students through its higher education programmes, and for younger learners (3-18yrs) through it's Associate Schools and pre-vocational courses[2].
Italia Conti is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools formerly Drama UK,[3] and accredited by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).[4] Italia Conti was a member of National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) before the organisation dissolved in 2012.
Originally based in London, the institution has occupied various premises throughout its history, as a result of its growth and the evolving needs of its student body. In August 2022, Italia Conti consolidated its operations into a new, bespoke-built facility in Woking, Surrey. This new modern campus includes specialised studios for dance, acting, and musical theatre, as well as recording and television production spaces[5]. The academy then moved to a church building in Lamb's Conduit Street (at #14).[6] However, during World War II, the academy was bombed, destroying all early records. [7]
The school has undergone several name changes throughout its history. Despite these changes, the institution is commonly referred to as Italia Conti, a nod to its founder and her enduring legacy in the performing arts education field.
In 1981, the academy started running Junior and Musical Theatre courses in Islington.[1] The BA (Hons) Acting and CertHe Intro to Acting courses continued to be delivered from the Avondale site in Clapham. In August 2022, all courses moved to Woking.[8]
The following courses taught at the academy were validated by the University of East London,[9] and accredited by the Federation of Drama Schools.
The Theatre Arts School, also known as the ‘Juniors’, was a co-educational independent school for pupils aged from 10 to 16 years old. The Theatre Arts School was first located in the Avondale building in Clapham, London and then at Goswell House, Barbican, London. The school was accredited by the Independent Schools Council and monitored by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Pupils would follow an academic curriculum to ensure they graduated with qualifications whilst also studying a range of performance skills. In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced that the Theatre Arts school would close in the summer of 2021 after 109 years.[10]
In August 2022, Italia Conti moved to a new bespoke-built facility which provides over 4,000 square metres of activity space in Henry Plaza, Woking, Surrey.[8] This facility brings together the School of Acting, which was previously delivered from the Avondale Building in Clapham North, London, and the School of Musical Theatre & Dance that was split between Barbican, London, and Guildford, Surrey sites.[8]
In 1995, Italia Conti Associate Schools were founded,[7] offering a wide range of classes, providing students with the same opportunity to receive a full and thorough training and performance skills, as they would in the head establishment.[7]
Listed below are the locations of associate school branches which take place around the country and provide courses in part-time performing arts training:
A CBBC series following pupils at The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts as they juggle the glamour and excitement of careers in TV, film and theatre with the highs and lows of school life.[1] GCSE exams, tests, the school prom and End of Year School Performance. Each series followed a set of students during the school term. The series mainly featured the Theatre Arts School (Juniors) and occasionally featured students from the various 16+ courses. School For Stars first aired in 2011, and a third series began on 2 September 2013. The show is narrated by Reggie Yates.[11]
Further information: Category:Alumni of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts |