In a significant move for the performing arts sector, the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has announced the launch of a new suite of acting foundation courses. This development comes exactly one year after the institution made the difficult decision to pause recruitment for its flagship three-year BA Professional Acting programme due to financial pressures.
A Strategic Pivot After a Turbulent Year
The historic drama school, whose celebrated alumni includes Oscar-winner Olivia Colman, Jeremy Irons, and Helen Baxendale, faced considerable instability within the Higher Education funding landscape. Principal Stuart Harvey acknowledged the impact of last year's decision, stating it "ricocheted around the drama school community and echoed far beyond." The choice was driven by concerns over the school's financial stability and the broader vulnerabilities affecting university-level funding models.
"Like many Higher Education institutions we are not out of choppy waters yet," Mr Harvey admitted. "But we’re doing everything we can to build a route to a stable and positive future for our school." He described the new foundation courses as the "first step" in a detailed roadmap for recovery and growth.
Details of the New Foundation Programme
The school is now offering aspiring actors two main pathways: new two-term and three-term Acting Foundation Courses, which will run alongside its existing 10-week intensive summer foundation programme. The school has framed this launch as an "important step" towards its long-term ambitions.
In a bid to improve accessibility, the school has taken two major steps:
- Scrapping all audition fees for these foundation courses.
- Working towards a target where 50% of all places on the two-term and three-term courses will have 50% bursary funding to cover student fees.
Jonathan Grosberg, the foundation course leader, explained the programme's value: “This course is the perfect preparation for students wishing to go on to study further at drama school or university, or as a stand alone programme that equips them with the tools needed to begin their journey in the creative industries.”
Looking Forward with Renewed Purpose
Principal Stuart Harvey expressed palpable excitement about this new chapter. "To be able to share this news, exactly one year after we revealed we wouldn’t be recruiting for undergraduate courses, and begin this brand-new chapter is amazing," he said. He added that the move is "a testament to our growth and the fact that Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is moving forward with energy and purpose."
The school's aspiration, according to Mr Harvey, is to make the foundation of professional training "as accessible and beneficial as possible." Prospective students have until March 26 to submit their applications for a course start date in September of this year. This strategic relaunch marks a pivotal moment for one of the UK's most storied drama schools as it navigates a challenging financial climate while recommitting to its educational mission.
