Residential Drama Summer School for Ages 13-17
Join us for a vibrant new two-week residential drama summer school at Freemen's School in Surrey, designed for young people passionate about acting and theatre-making.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Course 1: Mon 13 – Fri 24 Jul 2026 | Course 2: Mon 27 Jul – Fri 7 Aug 2026
- Course times:
- 9.30am–5.30pm
- Age:
- 13–17
- Art form:
- Drama
- Fees:
- Early Bird: £3,095 (expires 31.01.26) | Fee: £3,295
- Deadline:
- Bookings will close at 5pm on Friday 1 May 2026 or when the courses reach full capacity
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
- Mode of study:
- In-person
- Venue:
- Freemen's School, Ashtead Park, Surrey, KT21 1ET
- When:
- Summer Schools (July–August)
Course info
Public booking opens at 11am, Monday 1 December. Join our mailing list before Friday 28 November to receive priority booking.
Ages 13-17
Course Dates & Times
Course 1
Teaching: Monday 13 July to Friday 24 July 2026 (weekdays only)
Accommodation: Check in on Sunday 12 July from 2pm
Check-out on Saturday 25 July by 10am
Course 2
Teaching: Monday 27 July to Friday 7 August 2026 (weekdays only)
Accommodation: Check in on Sunday 26 July from 2pm
Check-out on Saturday 8 August by 10am
Please note that this course is available as residential only.
About Residential Drama Summer School for Ages 13-17
Join us for a vibrant new two-week residential drama summer school at Freemen's School in Surrey, designed for young people passionate about acting and theatre-making.
Set in beautiful surroundings, the course offers an inspiring environment where the space itself becomes part of the creative process. The residential format encourages deep focus, exploration, and ensemble building.
Participants will explore the full creative process - from initial ideas through to final sharing - working within one of three distinct theatrical approaches: devised theatre, site-specific work, or modern text work. Each ensemble is supported by a dedicated course tutor.
Alongside project work, students take part in core technique sessions in voice, movement, improvisation, and Shakespeare, building essential skills and a shared vocabulary across all groups.
Evening social activities foster connection and balance, and the course concludes with an open rehearsal sharing for friends and families — a celebration of the work created together.
Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone aged 13-17 with a passion for acting and theatre making, who
- Wants to dive into a focused and exciting creative experience
- Is exploring theatre as a serious interest or potential career path
- Enjoys collaborating with other young performers
- Is considering auditioning for drama school or youth theatre programmes
- Simply loves making theatre and wants to explore it further
Open to all experience levels — whether you're new to drama or already performing, you'll find a supportive space to grow, take creative risks, and develop your craft.
What can I expect?
You will work within one of three theatrical approaches, each led by a dedicated course tutor:
- Devised Theatre – Create original work from scratch, exploring collaborative processes and developing your ensemble’s unique theatrical voice.
- Site-Specific Work – Use Freemen’s School’s grounds and spaces as inspiration and performance venues, discovering how environment shapes storytelling.
- Modern Text Work – Explore contemporary plays and new writing, developing skills in text analysis, character development, and bringing modern voices to life.
Groups may be organised by age to ensure appropriate challenge, but each strand offers a complete creative journey from concept to performance.
All ensembles work within the same thematic framework, encouraging dialogue and connection across age groups. This allows participants to learn from each other’s creative processes.
Daily structure: each day combines focused project work with essential technique training including movement, improvisation and Shakespeare.
At the end of the course, you will present your work in an open rehearsal sharing for friends and family.
Do I need anything for the course?
- Comfortable clothing suitable for movement (trainers, loose-fitting clothes)
- A notebook and pen for reflection and note-taking
- An open mind and willingness to collaborate and take creative risks
- A set text will be confirmed
Course Fee
£3,095 (early bird fee available until 30 January 2026; £3,295 after 30 January 2026)
The course fee includes accommodation and full board, for more details please see our FAQs further below.
Public booking opens at 11am, Monday 1 December. Join our mailing list before Friday 28 November to receive priority booking.
Eligibility
- For everyone aged 13-17
- Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course
About the Course Tutor
This course has been developed and will be led by Fred Lancaster. Fred will be joined by a team of experienced theatre professionals as course tutors for each of the three strands. Additional tutor names will be announced closer to the start of the course.
Fred Lancaster trained as an actor at Guildhall School of Music & Drama (2010). He worked in the industry for over a decade before obtaining a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Goldsmiths, University of London. He currently works as a director, acting teacher and workshop facilitator in the UK, US and Europe.
Fred has sat on the BA Acting audition panel at Guildhall School for over ten years. He teaches on several short courses at Guildhall School including Monologues: Connecting to the Text and Improvisation Levels 1 and 2). He also currently teaches on the Guildhall Young Artists online programme.
Following his PGCE, Fred worked as a secondary school drama teacher, where he guided GCSE and A-Level students, mentored students applying to drama schools and National Youth Theatre programmes, and directed productions including at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He designed the Acting for Film syllabus for the New York Film Academy in Florence, Italy, where he teaches on the Acting For Film Semester Programme. He has also worked as a visiting tutor across the USA, including at the University of Notre Dame, John Carroll University, Occidental College and Rice University.
Residential Drama Summer School for Ages 13-17 FAQs
Please find below more information about new Residential Drama Summer School for Ages 13-17. Please note that this course is taking place off-site at Freemen's School in Surrey, Ashtead Park, Surrey, KT21 1ET.
The course is only available as a residential course.
Location
Course 1 and Course 2 are taking place at Freemen's School, Ashtead Park, Surrey, KT21 1ET
Directions to the school can be found via Google Maps here: directions
What time should participants arrive and depart?
Course 1: Monday 13 July to Friday 24 July 2026, check in on Sunday 12 July from 2pm, check-out on Saturday 25 July by 10am.
Course 2: Monday 27 July to Friday 07 August 2026, check in on Sunday 26 July from 2pm, check-out on Saturday 8 August by 10am.
Is there a shuttle from the train station?
No, we don’t offer transport to the venue, participants will make their own way to and from the venue.
Can international participants attend?
Yes, the course is open to all participants aged 13 to 17 and we usually welcome an international audience on our summer schools. The courses will be delivered in English.
What should I do if I’m arriving by plane?
From Airports
- London Heathrow (LHR): Approx. 45–60 minutes by car or train via London Waterloo.
- London Gatwick (LGW): Approx. 40–50 minutes by car or train via Dorking or Leatherhead.
- London City Airport (LCY): Accessible via DLR and National Rail to Ashtead.
How do I get to Freemen’s School?
By Train
- Nearest Station: Ashtead Station – approx. 20-minute walk to the school.
- Train Routes:
- Direct trains from London Waterloo and London Victoria.
- Trains via Epsom are more frequent.
- Other direct connections: Guildford, Dorking, Cheam, Ewell East, Wimbledon.
By Bus
- Bus routes stopping nearby include: 293, 479, 408, and 21.
- Nearest bus stops:
- Pleasure Pit Road, Woodcote Park – 15-minute walk.
- The Street, Ashtead – 17-minute walk.
By Car
- Located just off the M25, junction 9.
- Parking is available on-site for drop-offs and pick-ups.
Where will I stay during the course?
Accommodation is provided at Freemen's School. Participants will stay in a “pod” with up to 10 other participants in single and double rooms. Each room has desks, ample storage and a basin. Each pod has a bathroom and social area shared between them.
Participants will also enjoy a large open-plan space which has a TV and board games. There is also a device-free ‘Chill Out Zone', creative hub for arts and crafts and two kitchens where boarders can make snacks. There is 57 acres of the campus to explore.
Are meals provided?
Yes, the following meal plan will be provided to participants:
- Course 1: Dinner only on Sunday 12 July, breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday 13 July to Friday 24 July, and breakfast only on Saturday 25 July
- Course 2: Dinner only on Sunday 26 July, breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday 27 July to Friday 7 August, and breakfast only on Saturday 8 August
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in the canteen at the City of London Freemen’s School at set times scheduled in advance. All participants are expected to join meals at these times, as alternative meal times or menus cannot be provided.
Menus are planned by our catering team to offer a balanced selection.
If you have medical, ethical, or religious dietary requirements or allergies, please inform us at the time of booking so we can accommodate these needs.
Please note: personal taste preferences cannot be catered for.
Can I bring and store snacks and food?
Yes, you can bring and store your own snacks and food in the lockers. Snacks should be non-perishable and suitable for storage in your room.
We ask that you do not bring items containing nuts or other common allergens to help keep all participants safe.
Meals will be provided at set times, so snacks are for personal use between meals only.
Are drinks included?
Water will be available during meal times, and water stations will be accessible throughout the day. We recommend bringing a refillable water bottle for convenience.
Is there a tuck shop or vending machine on site?
There is no tuck shop or vending machine available during the programme. All meals and refreshments will be provided by our catering team at set times. If you would like additional snacks, please bring them with you.
What is included in the course fee?
Course 1, the fee of £3,295 (early bird fee is £3,095 available until 30 January 2026) includes the following:
- Course content, teaching and activities
- Accommodation from Sunday 12 July (from check-in time) until Saturday 25 July, 10am
- Dinner only on Sunday 12 July, breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday 13 July to Friday 24 July, and breakfast only on Saturday 25 July
- Some evening and weekend activities
Course 2, the fee of £3,295 (early bird fee is £3,095 available until 30 January 2026) includes the following:
- Course content, teaching and activities
- Accommodation from Sunday 26 July (from check-in time) until Saturday, 10am
- Dinner only on Sunday 26 July, breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday 27 July to Friday 7 August, and breakfast only on Saturday 8 August
- Some evening and weekend activities
Wi-Fi
Towels and bedding are provided
What is not included in the course fee?
Snack and food outside of the meals provided and listed above. Additional activities on evenings and weekends that aren’t scheduled, pocket money, transport.
Creating a Safe and Inclusive Environment
The Short Courses Team is committed to providing an inclusive and secure environment for all participants.
- Our team undertakes regular safeguarding training and includes qualified first aiders and mental health first aiders.
- Our Short Courses Team is safeguarding-trained and holds enhanced DBS certificates.
- Our Short Courses Team will be present on site throughout the day, evening and night and supervise participants.
- Members of the Short Courses Team will be stationed on the premises to assist with navigation and general enquiries during the day. They will also supervise breaks and meals.
- Participants who are not permitted to leave the premises unaccompanied must sign in and out each day with a member of the Short Courses Team.
- If a residential participant becomes unwell during their course, they will initially be assessed by the designated first aiders. Where the first aiders consider the residential participant too unwell to continue participating safely, arrangements will be made for the residential participant to return home.
- For minor illnesses, residential participants may remain on site with appropriate care and supervision. If the illness is contagious, isolation measures could be implemented where possible. In cases requiring medical attention beyond first aid, the Short Courses Team will discuss this with parents/guardians. Decisions will be made in the best interests of the residential participant’s health and wellbeing, and parents/guardians will be kept informed throughout
- Participants will be briefed on evacuation and safety procedures during registration.
Contacting Parents/Guardians
- If your child needs to contact you and cannot do so themselves, they should talk to a member of the Short Courses Team. We will use the contact details provided on your booking form.
- To update your details, email shortcourses@gsmd.ac.uk with your child’s name and new information.
For more details, please read Guildhall School's Safeguarding Policy.
What should I bring with me?
Clothing
- Comfortable clothes for classes
- Casual wear for evenings
- Warm layers, waterproof jacket (UK weather can be unpredictable), umbrella
- Sleepwear (including slippers)
- Footwear: comfortable shoes for movement and casual shoes for downtime
Personal Items
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- Any prescribed medication (with clear instructions)
- Refillable water bottle
- Snacks (non-perishable, nut-free)
Course Essentials
- Notebook and pens
- Any personal items requested in advance by the programme team (e.g., scripts if provided beforehand)
Optional
- Small amount of pocket money for incidental expenses
- Chargers for phones or devices
- Adaptors for chargers
- A book or quiet activity for downtime
- Hairdryer
Please note that any personal belongings brought to the summer school remain the responsibility of the participant. While we provide secure accommodation, Guildhall School cannot accept liability for loss, damage, or theft of personal items, including those left in storage areas at the venue.
Can parents/guardians visit during the course?
Parents, guardians, family members and friends are not allowed to visit the course participants during the course. Parents and guardians will be asked to leave the premises after dropping off the participants at check-in.
Parents, guardians, family members and friends will be invited to join the open rehearsal sharing on the last day of the course where participants can be collected for an early check-out on the Friday. Otherwise parents and guardians can collect the participants at check-out on the Saturday at 10am.
If a parent or guardian wishes to collect their child for an activity off campus on an evening or a day, they should inform the team in writing via email , and complete a leave of absence form via the consent form.
Is the course available as non-residential?
No, the course is only available as a residential course. If you are interested in non-residential courses, why not join one of our other summer schools at Guildhall School in London: gsmd.ac.uk/shortcourses
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