Applications for our 2024 programme now closed.
Thank you so much to everyone who signed up to audition!
Make sure to check back in next summer for applications for our 2025/2026 programme!
Want to train at one of the UK’s leading drama schools? Feel like this might be financially out of reach? Open Door helps talented young people aged 18+ who do not have the financial support or resources to gain a place at one of the UK’s leading drama schools.
We are incredibly passionate about supporting aspiring actors who are serious about pursuing a career in acting and are looking to apply for a B.A (hons) Acting degree. Through our Acting Training Programme, as well as covering expenses, we work to develop skills and build confidence in our participants to apply to one of our current partner drama schools Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, LAMDA, Royal Welsh College of Music, and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
The Open Door Acting Access Programme provides participants with:
An 8 month* part time acting training preparing you for Drama School (fortnightly sessions usually on Saturdays, 10am until 5pm)
Fifteen hours of one-to-one acting tutoring on your audition speeches
Free auditions at our partner schools, including : Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, LAMDA, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Travel expenses to all auditions
Free theatre tickets throughout the programme for theatres such as Leeds Playhouse, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Royal Exchange Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Royal Court and more!
Access to our hardship fund to cover any expenses relating to being part of Open Door or your audition process
UCAS Conservatoire fees paid for
Pastoral support and mentoring from the Open Door team
*please note, the acting training is a series of training days led by the Open Door team and visiting tutors. Participants are expected to attend 80% of these sessions.
“Open Door provided me with a lot more than free drama school auditions, it gave me a support network of like-minded peers and mentors
.”
Open Door Participant 2019/20
“Being in a group of young actors who all think alike and have had similar experiences growing up was incredibly liberating.”
Open Door Participant 2018/19
@shot.by.charlie
To apply to our Acting Access Programme, you must currently meet the following criteria:
Be based in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Warrington, West Yorkshire & The Borough of Halton, Blackburn with Darwen, & South Lancashire inc Blackpool, Preston & Burnley, London, Essex & the South East
Aged 18+ from the 1st October 2024
Have an annual family household income of £43,000 or less
Not currently hold a degree in the UK
Have full access to 3 years of Student Finance in the UK
Intend to apply for a full time BA Hons Acting degree for the academic year 2025
Want to apply for our acting programme?
For our Southern cohort click here, for our Northern cohort click here.
“I think one of the biggest things Open Door offered me was steadfast belief that I could have a place in the acting industry.”
Open Door Participant 2019/20