Residential Drama Summer School for Ages 13-17
Join us for a vibrant 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 20.02.26) | 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)
About Residential Drama Summer School for Ages 13-17
About Residential Drama Summer School for Ages 13-17
Join us in Surrey, known as London's garden, on a course where the inspiring environment becomes part of the creative process, encouraging deep focus, creative exploration and the opportunity to learn how to work together in a collaborative team.
Our early bird discount finishes on 20 February - so don't miss out!
Book now for course 1 - Mon 13 - Fri 24 Jul 2026
Book now for course 2 - Mon 27 Jul - Fri 7 Aug 2026
On our Drama Summer School
- Explore acting and theatre-making with industry-experienced, world-leading, tutors.
- Develop your skills, build confidence, meet new people and have fun.
- Accelerate your life-skills, gaining transferable skills to help you in many aspects of your life.
- Learn in a safe environment, with Guildhall School tutors..
Take part in core technique sessions in voice, movement, improvisation and Shakespeare, building essential skills and a shared vocabulary. Explore the full creative process - from initial ideas through to sharing your work.
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 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 groups work within the same thematic framework, encouraging dialogue and connection across age groups.
There will be evening social activities to help with connection and balance. The course finishes with an open rehearsal sharing for friends and families - a celebration of the work you have created together. The courses are 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.
£200 off when you book by 20 February 2026
Early bird fee £3,095 (approximately $4,200 USD) until 20 February 2026.
Standard fee £3,295 (approximately $4,470 USD) - from 21 February 2026.
Spaces are limited so we recommend booking early. Bookings close at 5pm on Friday 1 May 2026 or when the courses reach capacity.
The course fee includes accommodation and meals. Please note that this course is not available for non-residential participants.
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? Discover all our courses.
Book now for course 1
Book now for course 2
Meet 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. We'll confirm all course tutors to participants nearer the time.
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.
Fred
Our Residential Summer School promises to be a fun and collaborative experience, all set in the wonderful grounds of Freemen's School.
Whether you're interested in devising, physical theatre or contemporary text, there's space here to take risks, discover new skills and create work you're genuinely proud of.
Whether you're interested in devising, physical theatre or contemporary text, there's space here to take risks, discover new skills and create work you're genuinely proud of.
Fred Lancaster, Course Tutor, Residential Drama Summer School
Interested, but need to know more?
Read on for information about travel and accommodation, safety and wellfare and everything you need to know about our Residential Drama Summer School for Ages 13-17.
You can also contact us on:
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
- En/joys 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
- Participants must have sufficient English language skills in order to fully engage with the course
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.
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.
Both courses take place at Freemen's School in Surrey:
Freemen's School
Ashtead Park
Surrey
KT21 1ET
Accommodation is provided onsite.
The course is only available as a residential course.
Directions to the school can be found on Google Maps.
We will not be providing transport to or from the venue, you will need to make your own travel arrangements.
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.
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.
Accommodation is provided onsite at Freemen's School in Surrey:
Freemen's School
Ashtead Park
Surrey
KT21 1ET
Check in and check out
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.
Accommodation
Participants will be sharing rooms and all have access to desks, storage and shared bathrooms.
Participants have access to social areas and a large open-plan space which has a TV and board games. There is a creative hub for arts and crafts. There is 57 acres of the campus to explore.
Food and drink
Are meals provided?
Yes, the following meal plan will be provided:
- 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 any 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.
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.
The course fee covers
Course 1
- 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
- Wi-Fi
- Towels and bedding
Course 2
- 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
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.
Parents, guardians, family members and friends are not allowed to visit during the course. Parents and guardians will be asked to leave the premises after dropping off the participant.
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.
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.
Read our terms and conditions.
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