Drama training is in crisis. Government must take action now

Broadway & International

Training & Drama Schools

Backstage & Technical

Opera

Dance

West End

Musical Theatre

Pantomime

Edinburgh Fringe

Obituaries & Archive

NPO 2023-26

Awards

Jobs & Auditions

Hot Topics

Acting & Performance

Shakespeare

Shaun Woodward

Shaun Woodward

Chair

More from this Author

Drama training is in crisis. Government must take action now

More on this topic

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

Opinion by Richard Jordan

Daniel Evans: Some drama training is prioritising TV work over Shakespeare

Daniel Evans: Some drama training is prioritising TV work over Shakespeare

News by Katie Chambers

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Training & Advice by John Byrne

The Next generation of artists needs access to opportunities – this week in Your Views

The Next generation of artists needs access to opportunities – this week in Your Views

Your views by The Stage

Opinion

Latest
Most Read

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

Government must heed Shaun Woodward's warning of drama school crisis

Drama training is in crisis. Government must take action now

Is this the year the National Theatre of Scotland turns its fortunes around?

Don’t just call for action to support the theatre sector – take it, now

Star casting doesn’t guarantee success. So what happens when it doesn’t work?

What could theatre learn from British Airways' controversial changes to its loyalty programme?

Ignore the doomsayers – the West End is on the up

Star casting doesn’t guarantee success. So what happens when it doesn’t work?

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School course closures signal wider crisis in drama training

There is an appetite for new plays – that’s why we grew an audience for them

Drama training is in crisis. Government must take action now

Recommended for you

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

Opinion by Richard Jordan

Daniel Evans: Some drama training is prioritising TV work over Shakespeare

Daniel Evans: Some drama training is prioritising TV work over Shakespeare

News by Katie Chambers

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Training & Advice by John Byrne

The Next generation of artists needs access to opportunities – this week in Your Views

The Next generation of artists needs access to opportunities – this week in Your Views

Your views by The Stage

Shaun Woodward

Shaun Woodward

Chair

Shaun Woodward is chair of LAMDA. He was chair of the school’s successful £28 million rebuilding Capital Campaign and was formerly secretary of state for Northern Ireland and the minister for creative industries in the governments of Gordon Brown and Tony Blair

More from this author

Drama training is in crisis. Government must take action now

Opinion

Latest
Most Read

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

Government must heed Shaun Woodward's warning of drama school crisis

Drama training is in crisis. Government must take action now

Is this the year the National Theatre of Scotland turns its fortunes around?

Don’t just call for action to support the theatre sector – take it, now

Star casting doesn’t guarantee success. So what happens when it doesn’t work?

Star casting doesn’t guarantee success. So what happens when it doesn’t work?

Drama training is in crisis. Government must take action now

What could theatre learn from British Airways' controversial changes to its loyalty programme?

Is this the year the National Theatre of Scotland turns its fortunes around?

Mics aren't always magic in theatre, but they can amplify the power of storytelling

All together now: why theatre needs collaboration, not competition

Advice

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay: 'If you feel lost, you’re probably in the right place – on your own path'

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay: 'If you feel lost, you’re probably in the right place – on your own path'

Kate Perry: 'I felt no pressure because I had no intention of becoming an actor'

Kate Perry: 'I felt no pressure because I had no intention of becoming an actor'

Stephanie Morgan (Upsall): 'Learn to love yourself as much as your craft'

Stephanie Morgan (Upsall): 'Learn to love yourself as much as your craft'

Most Commented

Inside No. 9 – Stage/Fright review

Inside No. 9 – Stage/Fright review

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s entertaining stage spin-off of their acclaimed TV series is short on shivers

Most Shared

Future of Theatre conference returns to @sohoplace for second year running

Future of Theatre conference returns to @sohoplace for second year running

Tickets are now on sale for The Stage’s Future of Theatre conference 2025, which will take place on April 30 and explore the theme of ’survival’

Jobs

Senior News Reporter (part-t...

City: London Salary: £12,000

Head of Scenic Automation (S...

City: London Salary: Competitive...

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

City: London Salary: £49,595 – £...

Musical Theatre Teacher

City: Dubai & Abu Dhabi Salary: Competitive

Technical Supervisor – Bourn...

City: Bournemouth Salary: £35,670 per...

Assistant Electrician

City: London Salary: £42,102.84 ...

Seasonal Production Staff fo...

City: Chichester Salary: Competitive

Seasonal Production Staff fo...

City: Chichester Salary: Competitive

Senior Production Technician...

City: London Salary: Above SOLT/...

Deputy Head of Wardrobe

City: Zurich Salary: Weekly fee ...

Assistant Electrician

City: London Salary: £42,102.84 ...

Stage Management Team

Salary: Competitive

Brand Designer (parental lea...

City: London Salary: Competitive

Senior Electrics Technician ...

City: London Salary: BECTU Graded

Senior Electrics Technician

City: London Salary: BECTU Graded

Castings

MIKE in EWAN MACCOLL: MANCHE...

Dundee Paid

DAVEY in EWAN MACCOLL: MANCH...

Dundee Paid

Female souls singer dancer e...

Based in Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 Paid

Male soul singer entertainer...

Based in Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 touring UK Paid

The Happy Prince in The Happ...

London & Watford Paid

The Swallow in The Happy Prince

London & Watford Paid

Narrator in The Happy Prince

London & Watford Paid

Co-Host (Leads on music) in ...

UK Wide. Preferred base in Midlands Paid

Host (Leads on presenting) i...

UK Wide. Preferred base in Midlands Paid

Mardi Gras Performer in Alto...

Alton Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Paid

Fairy Godmother/ Prince Char...

Exeter and Touring Paid

Lighting Technician in Frien...

Heaton Park, Manchester Paid

Video Content Presenter in P...

London Paid

Stage Manager in Friendsfest...

Heaton Park, Manchester Paid

Camera Operator in Friendsfe...

Heaton Park, Manchester Paid

More on this topic

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

Opinion by Richard Jordan

Daniel Evans: Some drama training is prioritising TV work over Shakespeare

Daniel Evans: Some drama training is prioritising TV work over Shakespeare

News by Katie Chambers

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

“I’d love to demolish the hierarchy of power that exists in ...”

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Training & Advice by John Byrne

The Next generation of artists needs access to opportunities – this week in Your Views

The Next generation of artists needs access to opportunities – this week in Your Views

Your views by The Stage

Advice

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay: 'If you feel lost, you’re probably in the right place – on your own path'

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay: 'If you feel lost, you’re probably in the right place – on your own path'

Kate Perry: 'I felt no pressure because I had no intention of becoming an actor'

Kate Perry: 'I felt no pressure because I had no intention of becoming an actor'

Stephanie Morgan (Upsall): 'Learn to love yourself as much as your craft'

Stephanie Morgan (Upsall): 'Learn to love yourself as much as your craft'

Recommended for you

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

A visit to the past is a reminder that theatre's future depends on its grassroots

Opinion by Richard Jordan

Daniel Evans: Some drama training is prioritising TV work over Shakespeare

Daniel Evans: Some drama training is prioritising TV work over Shakespeare

News by Katie Chambers

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

“I’d love to demolish the hierarchy of power that exists in ...”

Emily LeQuesne: 'Without the arts, what are we for?'

Training & Advice by John Byrne

The Next generation of artists needs access to opportunities – this week in Your Views

The Next generation of artists needs access to opportunities – this week in Your Views

Your views by The Stage

Most Read

Across The Stage this week

Developer of new musicals warns of closure risk as it opens £50k fundraising bid

LAMDA chair warns of drama school 'crisis' as he urges government intervention

My favourite play: Marianne Elliott

Cynthia Erivo: I was punished for working to support my studies at RADA

Calamity Jane review

‘Refusing to listen’: NT faces fresh criticism over cut to primary school tours

Star casting doesn’t guarantee success. So what happens when it doesn’t work?

Just Stop Oil halts West End production of Sigourney Weaver's Tempest

The Stage Awards 2025: winners in full

Paines Plough withdraws pop-up venue from Summerhall at this year’s EdFringe

Your subscription helps ensure our journalism can continue

Invest in The Stage today with a subscription starting at just £5.99

Newspaper

Opinion & Advice

More

Get Into Theatre

Info

Advertising Enquiries

Awards

The Stage Awards

The Stage Debut Awards

Legal

Terms and conditions

Advertising terms and conditions

Contributor agreement

Digital

Digital Editions

Subscribe

Subscribe

Start a subscription today from just £7.99 Subscribe

© Copyright The Stage Media Company Limited 2025