Applications for our 2023 cohort are now closed!
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 18-30 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 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
Fifteen hours of one-to-one acting tutoring on your audition speeches
Free auditions at our partner schools, including : 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, London, Essex & the South East
Have an annual family household income of £33,000 or less OR £40,000 or less with mitigating circumstances (caregivers, care leavers, are over 18 and receiving Disability Living Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance or a Carers Allowance)
Be aged 18-30
Not currently hold a degree
Have a commitment to acting as a career goal
Intend to apply for a full time BA Hons Acting degree for the academic year 2024.
Be a UK citizen or have lived in the UK long enough to be eligible for UK student finance
Want to apply to our Acting Programme?
Please check back in July 2024 to apply for next year’s Open Door Programme.
“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