Drama School: Unlocked
More than audition preparation
12 weeks of focused actor training for aspiring drama school students.
Develop your acting, strengthen your audition work and prepare for drama school with sustained training, expert coaching and individual guidance throughout the most important stage of your application journey.
“Drama School: Unlocked is the reason I am going to drama school.”
— Ruby, Drama School: Unlocked 2026
“The course was a blast, a highlight of my week, an unexpectedly ESSENTIAL part of my journey in gaining a place at drama school.”
— Lauren, Drama School: Unlocked 2026
Register Your Interest in Drama School: Unlocked
Our Flagship Actor Training Programme
Drama School: Unlocked is Actor’s Nest’s flagship 12-week training programme for actors applying to drama school in the current audition cycle.
Rather than preparing for auditions through occasional coaching sessions, you’ll train consistently in a small, committed ensemble — developing your acting alongside your audition material as your applications take shape.
Across twelve weeks, you’ll explore and refine your monologues, strengthen your technique, deepen your understanding of text and develop the confidence to approach auditions with clarity, purpose and authenticity.
“Initially I thought that we would mainly look at drama school applications, but the course cleverly combined both audition preparation with fundamental acting techniques.”
— Ruby, Drama School: Unlocked 2026
Is Drama School: Unlocked Right for You?
Drama School: Unlocked is designed for actors who are serious about applying to professional drama school training and want sustained support throughout their preparation.
It may be right for you if you:
• are applying to drama school in the current audition cycle
• want to develop as an actor, not simply polish audition pieces
• would benefit from regular training, feedback and individual guidance
• want support choosing and developing material that genuinely suits you
• are ready to work consistently between sessions
• value training as part of a small, committed group of actors
You don’t need to arrive with finished monologues. The programme is designed to help you develop both your work and your understanding throughout the process.
The Training
Understand the text, your intentions and the choices that make your performance specific.
Develop your ability to listen, respond and connect truthfully with the text, character and imagined world.
Move beyond demonstrating emotion towards performances that feel spontaneous, grounded and genuinely lived.
Develop a deeper understanding of your own process, your material and what drama school panels are looking for.
Across 12 Weeks, You’ll…
• Train regularly in a small, focused ensemble
• Explore, select and develop your audition material
• Receive detailed individual coaching and feedback
• Strengthen your acting technique and approach to text
• Develop contrasting classical and contemporary work
• Prepare and refine self-tape submissions
• Understand how to adapt your work for different schools and audition formats
• Build confidence in discussing yourself and your work
• Receive guidance as applications, auditions and recalls develop
• Learn from watching and working alongside other committed actors
“What makes the programme different is that it supports the whole young person, not only the audition.”
— Parent of Drama School: Unlocked graduate.
Why 12 Weeks?
Strong audition work rarely develops in a single coaching session.
Over twelve weeks, there’s time to experiment, make mistakes, respond to feedback and allow your work to develop — rather than simply trying to perfect a performance for an approaching deadline.
Regular training also means we get to know you as an actor. We can understand your strengths, recognise the habits that may be holding you back and help you make choices that are genuinely individual to you.
That’s what makes Drama School: Unlocked different from occasional audition coaching.
Small Group. Individual Attention.
Drama School: Unlocked is intentionally limited to a small cohort.
You’ll benefit from the energy and learning that comes from training alongside other committed actors, while still receiving detailed individual coaching and feedback throughout the programme.
The small-group environment also allows us to get to know you, your work and your development — so the guidance you receive can evolve as your applications and auditions progress.
“Everyone was rooting for one another to succeed… they became my little drama family.”
- Student, Drama School: Unlocked graduate 2026
“The genuine care and consideration given to each student. It’s a much more intimate and focussed environment to other acting training… there was a real professionalism to the training, yet at the same time I could speak whatever worries or concerns were on my mind and have in-depth, thoughtful conversations.”
- Student, Drama School: Unlocked graduate 2026
Where Could Your Training Take You?
Three years. 100% success.
Every student we’ve supported through their drama school application over the past three years has secured a place at drama school.
And in 2025/26, every member of our Drama School: Unlocked cohort received drama school offers.
"I would 100% recommend it to anyone that wants a better chance of getting into Drama School."
- Ella, recent graduate from East 15 Acting School
“I felt so much more confident; both in myself, and with what to expect on the day."
- Student, Drama School: Unlocked graduate 2026
“The course was vital for understanding exactly how to cater my self-tape pieces for auditions."
- Lauren, 2026 Drama School: Unlocked Graduate
"The best thing you could do to help your child if you really think acting school is worth a shot."
- Ellie, Parent of a Drama School: Unlocked student
Support That Continues With Your Journey
Drama school preparation doesn’t necessarily end when the twelve weeks do.
As applications progress into self-tapes, first-round auditions and recalls, Unlocked actors can continue their training through the Actor’s Nest Extension Programme and access additional support including Self-Tape Assessments, Private Coaching and Mock Audition Panels.
The aim is not simply to prepare a set of monologues. It’s to support you in becoming a stronger, more independent actor throughout the audition process.
Programme Details
Duration:
12 weeks
Format:
Weekly online small-group actor training
Group size:
Maximum of 9 actors
Dates:
September - December.
Suitable For:
Actors applying to drama school in the 2026/27 audition cycle
“I was sceptical about whether the online format would work. It turned out to be brilliant. Lauren absolutely loved the calls.”
— Ellie Lee, parent
Investment
Programme Fee: £1,250
Instalment plans available.
Bursary Support
We want talented and committed actors to be able to access our training regardless of financial circumstances. A limited number of bursary-supported places may be available for Drama School: Unlocked. If cost may prevent you from taking part, please let us know when you register your interest.
How to Join
Drama School: Unlocked is a small, committed training group, so places are offered through a short application process. We’ll arrange a short conversation to get to know you, discuss where you are in your preparation and make sure Unlocked is the right fit. We may also ask you to submit a short self-tape.
Tell us a little about yourself, where you are in your drama school journey and what you’re hoping to develop. We’ll then be in touch about the next step.
Drama School: Unlocked is a small, committed training group, so places are offered throug h a short application process., including a suitability conversation and possible self-tape submission.
“I think it’s a no brainer! Although you may have natural passion and talent, the process of applying for drama school is very demanding at times. The course truly helps you to make the most of your abilities and uniqueness.”
- - Student, Drama School: Unlocked graduate 2026
Register Your Interest in Drama School: Unlocked
Ready to Unlock Your Next Stage?
Drama school auditions ask you to show who you are as an actor.
Drama School: Unlocked gives you the time, training and individual guidance to discover that — developing your craft alongside the audition preparation needed for the journey ahead.
Registrations of interest are now open for September 2026.