Originate

Originate is a free young actors training programme run in collaboration with RADA, Theatre Peckham and Young and Talented.

Participants work closely with staff from the four partners over nine months, every Thursday night 6.15-9.15pm. The course is primarily based at Theatre Peckham, with sessions also running at Guildhall School and RADA over the course of the training - usually 2/3 per term.

Participants take part in a series of masterclasses led by Suzann McLean, Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham and Founder of Young and Talented, as well as guest tutors from RADA and Guildhall, and other theatre professionals from across the industry. Participants train in acting, voice, text, movement and audition technique. The course also includes theatre visits, Q&As with actors, directors and practitioners, and access to practical resources such as headshots.

The course culminates with an industry showcase at RADA performed by participants for an audience of professional directors and agents, as well as friends and family.

Originate participants receive a free application to both Guildhall School and RADA's BA Acting programmes, and support through the application and audition process. Participants are expected to apply to both schools.

Due to competition for places, funding restrictions and reporting requirements, applicants must:

• Be aged 17-23 at the start of the course on 12 October. Any participant who is 17 and currently in education must be in year 13/second year of college.
• Have no previous experience of Higher Education
• Live in a London borough.
• Have attended a state school or college for the entirety of their education.
• Have a combined household income under £35,000.
• Be applying to drama school for September 2025 entry.

Applicants should also meet at least one of the following:

• Be in receipt of Free School Meals, in receipt of a 16-19 Bursary or living in a household which receives means tested benefits
• Have a home postcode which is Quintile 1 or 2 on the POLAR4 dataset or Deciles 1-4 on the IMD dataset (check POLAR4 postcode here, check IMD postcode here)
• Identify as Global Majority
• Have recent experience of the UK Care System, be a Care Leaver or be estranged from their parents
• Be a young carer, or have significant caring responsibilities
• Have a declared disability

We audition all eligible applicants to the programme in person. In-person auditions will be held at Canada Water Theatre on Thursday 18th September. 

We regret that we are unable to audition applicants if they are unavailable for the specified audition date.

Applicants who are not offered a place in the Originate cohort will be invited to a follow-up Monologue workshop at Guildhall School - it is very important to us that every applicant has access to a learning opportunity. They will also be invited to apply to our Supported Application Scheme.

Applications are now open. You can apply to Originate here.

The deadline to apply is Thursday 4th September. 

The 2020 and 2021 Originate cohorts produced digital content for their showcase, due to the pandemic restricting audience opportunities. Participants also film show-reels ahead of showcase, with the support of AKTA. You can watch past Originate show-reels and showcases on the Young and Talented YouTube page: click HERE.

Our alumni have achieved fantastic success. At least 38% of actors from years one to six progressed to some of the best drama schools in the world, including Guildhall and RADA, and you can find Originate alumni on stage (The Globe, National Theatre, RSC) and screen (Netflix, ITV, BBC).