• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home News

New BSL Acting Intensive Course Launched

by Staff Writer
February 2, 2024
Reading Time: 4 mins read
BSL Acting Intensive Course Image Courtesy of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

BSL Acting Intensive Course Image Courtesy of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and Deafinitely Theatre, in collaboration with Graeae Theatre Company, are excited to announce the launch of a new, 5-day BSL Acting Intensive course in July 2024.

The course, the first of its kind to be offered at Central, will provide deaf artists with bespoke, high-quality actor training lead by deaf teachers, artists and practitioners in British Sign Language (BSL). The course is fully funded, with no fee to take part, and with a limited number of travel bursaries available for those who require additional support accessing Central’s campus.

Participants will develop their acting skills through exercises and improvisations which approach acting challenges within an ensemble. Key learning areas will be focused on acting fundamentals, translation, movement, visual vernacular and acting for camera.

       

The collaboration of Central, Deafinitely Theatre and Graeae Theatre Company forms a key part of Central’s strategic plan and marks the beginning of a closer working relationship between the three organisations which will see new courses developed with and for deaf artists in the coming year. The ultimate aim of this work is to broaden access to high quality training, to increase authentic representation of diverse communities in the industry, to foster the understanding, respect and potential of sign language arts, and to celebrate and advocate for the artistic, linguistic and cultural rights of the deaf.

Work undertaken during the 5-day BSL Acting Intensive course will contribute to the development of future courses offered by Central, Deafinitely Theatre and Graeae Theatre Company.

You mightalso like

Some of the cast of The Vagina Monologues images supplied by publicist

Deafinitely Theatre Announces Full Cast for The Vagina Monologues UK Tour

Josh Elliott image supplied by publicist

Vital Xposure Appoints Josh Elliott as New Artistic Director

Discussing the course and Central’s work with Deafinitely Theatre and Graeae Theatre Company Central’s Principal, Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, said:

“As many will know, I have had the privilege of working with the national deaf community in Sweden, and Swedish sign language has become part of my cultural and linguistic inspiration. So, when Paula and Jenny – both titan arts makers – approached me, it was not a question of ‘if’ but of ‘how’.

This course which is led, designed and curated by deaf people, and with the support of Central, is our gift in legacy, societal impact and, most importantly, great stories. To that end, the whole of our institution will have a process of cultural and linguistic understanding to those who will join us – with first stage BSL classes and cultural seminars, ambassadors within the institution and more. This will be available to Central’s students and staff and embedded in our continued work in inclusion for all our communities at Central – and beyond. Onwards!”

Paula Garfield, Artistic Director of Deafinitely Theatre, said: “It’s been a dream of mine, for a very long time, to have institutional acting and theatre courses specifically delivered and aimed for British Sign Language (BSL) users. Deafinitely Theatre are so excited to announce this new working relationship with The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, in association with our friends at Graeae Theatre Company, as we co-deliver this course providing bespoke training for artists who use BSL and want to develop and improve their acting skills.  We look forward to continuing to create and celebrate a talent pool of deaf and BSL using actors who will now have the opportunity to access a drama school course without barriers.”

       

Jenny Sealey OBE, Joint CEO/ Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company and Vice President of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, said: “Actor training is vital, and I love seeing new talent being developed and nurtured. We are excited to be part of this new collaboration and look forward to seeing this new cohort eventually grace our stages and screens.”

Primarily designed for deaf actors who have some acting experience, a limited number of places on the course will also be made available to hearing actors with experience of deaf culture and BSL Level 3 or equivalent.

To find out more about the BSL Acting Intensive Course and make your application, please visit The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama’s website.

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

Some of the cast of The Vagina Monologues images supplied by publicist
News

Deafinitely Theatre Announces Full Cast for The Vagina Monologues UK Tour

Josh Elliott image supplied by publicist
News

Vital Xposure Appoints Josh Elliott as New Artistic Director

The Deaf Theatre Makers credit BECKY BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY
News

Deafinitely Theatre Announce New Programme For 2025 The Deaf Theatre Makers Series

DYT Butterflies credit Phoebe Capewell
News

Deafinitely Theatre Awarded National Lottery Funding For Youth Theatre Programme

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Pickled Republic Ruxy Cantir Credit Andy Catlin

Edinburgh Fringe Preview: Pickled Republic at Summerhall (Anatomy Lecture Theatre)

Uncrackable (poster design Steph Pyne photographer David Lindsay)

Edinburgh Fringe Preview: The Uncrackable Case at Pleasance Courtyard (Two)

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly