The Stage Scholarships 2024: win free training at Performance Preparation Academy

This year, for the first time, Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) is collaborating with The Stage Scholarships to offer a place on its Level 3 foundation course. This one-year course, worth £9,250, will equip students with the essential technical and performance skills they will need to enter their three-year course fully prepared for vocational training.

Based in Guildford, Surrey, PPA is a small, family-oriented college that joined with De Montfort University in 2016 to provide degree courses in both musical theatre and acting for stage and screen. The Level 3 foundation, launched last year, has been created to help students develop the skills and confidence required before embarking on the first year of their degree course. Course leader Lucy Stewart elaborates on how vital this preparation can be.

“Foundation courses help bridge skills and confidence gaps, allowing students to enter the first year and excel rather than play catch up. On our course, students will be able to produce grounded and resilient performances that they can build on in further training. They will learn how to manage themselves and be able to collaborate as part of a team and have professional etiquette in a learning environment.

“On our course, the foundation students will be challenged daily to pursue every discipline required for drama school training with dedication and commitment. As part of their journey, they will explore a wider range of creative and transferable skills to support performance-based projects.”

With relatively intimate classes, the foundation course still packs a tight schedule, ensuring that students are exposed to a broad range of classes and exercises. There are fitness and well-being workshops, improvisation classes and an introduction to stage combat, alongside singing and dancing for actors. There are plenty of opportunities for in-house performances, too, including monologue and audition presentations and an end-of-year showcase.

Emily Eyre graduated from the PPA musical theatre degree course in 2023 and is currently working as the college’s digital and social media manager. “I can wholeheartedly say that it is such a family atmosphere. The classes are so small and everyone just seems to really care. The support is exceptional.” When it comes to auditions, Eyre gives an insight into the process and what might be required.

“For the acting auditions, students need two contrasting monologues from published plays. Each monologue should offer a sense of yourself connected to your identity. You should also be off book and the monologues need to be no longer than two minutes. It’s worth remembering to dress comfortably and bring a notepad or tablet, because there’s always a student-led question and answer session, which is really useful.”

The interview panel looks for social skills, confidence, self-awareness, ability, individuality, discipline, focus and, of course, a passion for performance. Applicants can also submit self-tapes for a remote audition, especially if they live at a distance or overseas. Following the submission, successful applicants will be invited for a live, online audition.

ppacademy.co.uk

Details: Performance Preparation Academy

Course: Level 3 foundation into degree
Educational level: 18 years and over
Number of scholarships offered: One
Value of scholarship: £9,250
What costs are covered? Fees only
Where is the school? Unit 1, Deacon Field, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 8YT
Likely audition date: April 21, 2024
How do I apply? Online initially

Keep an eye out on thestage.co.uk as we launch the individual scholarships for each school over the next three months