Dramatica and LAMDA

Dramatica is proud to work alongside LAMDA providing Acting and Public Speaking training up to Gold Medal and beyond.

LAMDA Examinations (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) are offered to those as a means of achieving a recognised, certified level in Acting, Musical Theatre and Public Speaking. From Grade 1 to Gold Medal, the exams promote performance skills appropriate to age and experience.

Past pupils have gone on to study at a variety of drama schools and universities including the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, RADA, Guildford School of Acting, Oxford University and Middlesex University.   Students have also gone to work professionally in places including the West End, National Theatre and on TV and radio.

From October 2006, LAMDA Examinations from Grade 6 have been accredited by UCAS – this will help your application to a university, regardless of subject that you go on to study and not just drama related. LAMDA Exams are OFQUAL regulated.

Dramatica offers the following LAMDA subjects from Entry Level to Gold Medal (Grade 8)

  • Acting (solo, duo and group)
  • Musical theatre (solo)
  • Verse & Prose (solo)
  • Public Speaking (solo)

We also offer the PCertLam Diploma Training for those who have achieved their Gold Medal.

There is a minimum number of sessions required in order to be eligible to study towards LAMDA exams and these can be tailored around the individual student depending on level and other deciding factors.

In a school environment, these can be tailored around individual students to fit in with the limitations of a school timetable.

If studied out of school or at a Dramatica Theatre venue, the commitment is for the academic year.

Please note that these sessions require commitment for the academic year.  You may be charged if your child does not finish the course as exam fees need to be paid in advance.

To get in touch, please email ruthie@dramatica.org.uk for more information.

INTRODUCTION TO LAMDA EXAMS

FAQs

 

What is LAMDA?

  • LAMDA is a drama school in London, founded in 1861.
  • LAMDA stands for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
  • LAMDA exams are OFQUAL regulated.

So what are these exams all about?

  • LAMDA exams are available to students who really enjoy performing. Dramatica offers these exams to students from age 7 and above, though occasionally we may work with younger students.
  • Students prepare work over the course of most of the academic year (approximately 2 – 2.5 terms)
  • Dramatica offers LAMDA exams in the following subjects:
    • Acting (Group, duo and solo exams)
    • Recital (Group exams)
    • Public Speaking
    • Musical Theatre
    • Verse and Prose
  • Commitment for these exams is the academic year.

How much is there to learn?

  • Depending on the level taken, students will need to learn and prepare a selection of scripts or speeches.
  • Group Recital Exams have short selections of verse and prose to prepare.
  • Group Acting Exams have one script to prepare
  • Entry Level Solo and Duo Exams have one script to prepare
  • Exams higher than Entry Level will have two scripts to prepare
  • Silver and Gold Medal require three scripts.

How are the scripts/ speeches chosen?

  • For most exams within Entry Level – Grade 5, Dramatica will offer a range of scripts that the students can choose from. At least one of these needs to come from the current LAMDA Anthology and we will provide copies of this.
  • For Public Speaking, the choice of speech is discussed extensively during the early lessons.
  • For Medal Exams, students are expected to do their own research into pieces that they would like to do. Dramatica fully supports students with this, as well as offering additional suggestions.
  • Pieces need to be learned within the designated timeframe that Dramatica stipulates – usually over the Christmas holidays.

 How do the students actually take the exam?

  • Students prepare their pieces for the exam usually held in the summer term.
  • Our exam centre is in Windsor, and we have an external examiner come to visit us.
  • Parents will be sent specific timeslots in advance. Once exam slots are confirmed by LAMDA, these cannot be changed.
  • Students will receive a certificate and feedback form. At the highest level, students receive a medal.

What can you do with these exams?

  • Generally, these exams are useful in giving students a recognised acknowledgement that they have made progress and achieved various benchmarks.
  • These exams are also especially useful for those students looking at taking various scholarships or interviews for schools, colleges and 6th Forms.
  • For those taking Medal Exams, these results can be used for University UCAS points, in addition to A-levels results.
  • The exams have been proven to help in developing confidence and communication skills with all students.

Do the students also perform their pieces to an audience?

  • Yes! Students have the opportunity to perform their work to an audience before the exam, by means of a dress rehearsal. This performance is usually held at a theatre in Windsor, availability permitting.
  • Dramatica expects all students to take part in the performance. This is free, with a nominal charge for audience tickets.

Tuition and Workshops

For information on specific age ranges, please click the heading on the left.

Dramatica is passionate about bringing drama to young people who would like further opportunities of performing and enhancing their acting skills. There are many ways to get involved, from our after school drama workshops, to having Dramatica in your school. The skills that can be acquired through such activities benefit many aspects of day to day life as well as improving general performance skills.

All of Dramatica’s workshops aim to combine drama with games and activities to ensure that there is something for everyone.

Skills include:

  • Self-awareness
  • Improved confidence
  • Enhanced presentation skills
  • Communication expertise
  • Public Speaking

All our sessions are designed to give a real insight into drama and the performing arts with students given the opportunity of working with professional actors and performers in a safe and supportive environment. Students are encouraged to make decisions for themselves, critique their own work, challenge, direct others and be generally aware of the theatrical process.

Workshops – Ages 5 to 7

Workshops for 5-7 year olds are aimed at those who really enjoy acting and performing! With original projects including those recording your own radio play, pantomimes, poems, devising and playing lots of games, you can be sure that imagination is key as we look at performance skills, and nurture confidence and talent.

Skills include:

Self-awareness

Using a confident voice

Working in a team

Sharing ideas

Individual responsibility

Improved confidence

All our sessions are designed to give a real insight into drama and the performing arts with students given the opportunity of working with professional actors and performers in a safe and supportive environment. Students are encouraged to make decisions for themselves, critique their own work, challenge, direct others and be generally aware of the theatrical process.  But, above all, our sessions are designed to be FUN!

To pay for our workshops, please user the online payment system below:

Paypal and Card Payments

Workshops – Ages 8 to 11

Workshops for 8-11 year olds are a combination of LAMDA and performance skills, aimed at those who want to further their experiences! The LAMDA work aims to culminate in a yearly exam, as well as the students being given the opportunity to perform their work in a real theatre.  We also work on all aspects of performance.

Skills include:

Preparing work for an examination

Performing in public

Vocal, physical and character skills

Improvisation

Devising

Peer to peer work

Rehearsal technique

Monologue technique

All our sessions are designed to give a real insight into drama and the performing arts with students given the opportunity of working with professional actors and performers in a safe and supportive environment. Students are encouraged to make decisions for themselves, critique their own work, challenge, direct others and be generally aware of the theatrical process.  But, above all, our sessions are designed to be FUN!

To pay for our workshops, please user the online payment system below:

Paypal and Card Payments

Workshops – Ages 12 to 18

Workshops for 12-18* year olds are aimed at those with a real interest in Drama and the Performing Arts.  These focus on both LAMDA and acting technique, and are suitable for those studying drama, including GCSE level or above, as well as those who just want the opportunity to be with other like-minded people. Students are encouraged to work in a motivating, safe environment and to contribute their own ideas and experiences. Each session is aimed at a specific performance skill.

Once a year, the students perform in a professional theatre with the opportunity of working with stage and lighting.

Performance skills include:

  • Preparing work up to Gold level LAMDA
  • Mime
  • Characterisation
  • Voice
  • Audition technique
  • Public speaking

(*We are happy to accept students who are still 11, about to turn 12)

PPA For Teachers

Dramatica is now specialising in PPA for teachers.

This can be on a weekly basis, either termly or half termly.

If you would like more information on this, please contact us.