Drama

"Being on the BTEC National Diploma Performing Arts has made me confident and helped me present myself." Roxanne Waugh

"I've just found out I've got on to the American Theatre Arts course at Rose Bruford.  All thanks to Lewisham College." Palesa Mokouena

"I've gained independence and respect for other people and myself." Steph Gibson

Are you a budding actor? Or perhaps you're more interested in stage management and working behind the scenes?

Our Drama courses are the gateway to your future.

The majority of students from our Drama Department progress on to prestigious Higher Education institutions, including Trinity Laban, RADA, Rose Bruford and Central School of Speech and Drama.

Former Technical Theatre students are now working in stage management at the Sage, Gateshead, running the technical department at Goldsmith's University and working at the famous Trafalgar Studios in the West End.

80% of Drama students progress on to further training. From then on, the sky's the limit. How big is your imagination?

Our auditions consist of a vocal and physical warm up, script reading, improvisation, singing and performing a prepared monologue.  Applicants may have some or no experience of performing but must have a willingness to learn.

I come from a small mining community which has no background in theatre. I didn't start acting until I was 16/17 and I wanted a challenge.

I did a very similar course to the courses I now teach at a Further Education College in Performing Arts. From that, I moved to London and went to Drama School, which was a big life change.

I've worked in theatres up and down the country, touring. I've performed to an audience of one in the back of beyond, and I've performed at some A List theatres.
I lived out of a rucksack for six or seven years. I've done plays abroad, in Israel, and I've also done some prison tours. I've done a lot of corporate films, TV commercials, and I was also a photographer for five years.

My background allows me to understand the industry and the importance of going on to drama school. Lewisham College has strong links with drama schools. Last year, 20 out of 20 of my students went on to university or drama school. We're also the only BTEC National that does two years of singing.

I do think it's important for the staff to continue their practice, so I still do the occasional short film for Channel 4, and I'm currently studying for my MA in Theatre Practice. I love it here; my students and my job, and I wouldn't give it up.

All of my team have a theatre background, so we can recognise raw talent. What the Drama department at Lewisham College offers is expert knowledge and first hand experience about the business.