| Italia Conti | |
| Established: | 1911 |
| Type: | Further Education, Higher Education, Conservatoire-style, Performing Arts, Actor Training, |
| Principal Label1: | Principal/CEO |
| Principal1: | Hayley Newton-Jarvis |
| Principal Label2: | COO |
| Principal2: | Miranda Tatton-Brown |
| Principal Label3: | Vice Principals |
| Principal3: | Bradley Hawkins, Dan Fulham |
| Founder: | Italia Emily Stella Conti |
| Affiliations: | |
| Specialist: | Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance |
| Address: | Italia Conti, 47 Church Street West |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Postcode: | GU21 6DG |
| Lower Age: | 16 (FE), 18 (HE) |
| Website: | https://www.italiaconti.com |
The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, also known simply as Italia Conti, is a drama school based in Woking, England. It was founded by the actress Italia Conti in 1911.[1] Italia Conti delivers courses in acting, musical theatre, and dance, catering mostly for 16+ and 18+ students through its higher education programmes, and for younger learners (3-18yrs) through its Associate Schools and pre-vocational courses.[2]
Italia Conti is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools formerly Drama UK,[3] and accredited by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).[4] Italia Conti was a member of National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) before the organisation dissolved in 2012.
Originally based in London, the institution has occupied various premises throughout its history. In August 2022, Italia Conti consolidated its operations into a new facility in Woking, Surrey, which includes specialised studios for dance, acting, and musical theatre, as well as recording and television production spaces.[5]
In 1981, the academy started running Junior and Musical Theatre courses in Islington.[1] The BA (Hons) Acting and CertHe Intro to Acting courses continued to be delivered from the Avondale site in Clapham. In August 2022, all courses moved to Woking.
The following courses taught at the academy were validated by the University of East London,[6] and accredited by the Federation of Drama Schools.
The Theatre Arts School, also known as the ‘Juniors’, was a co-educational independent school for pupils aged from 10 to 16 years old. The Theatre Arts School was first located in the Avondale building in Clapham, London and then at Goswell House, Barbican, London. The school was accredited by the Independent Schools Council and monitored by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Pupils would follow an academic curriculum to ensure they graduated with qualifications whilst also studying a range of performance skills. In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced that the Theatre Arts school would close in the summer of 2021 after 109 years.[7]
In August 2022, Italia Conti moved to a new facility in Henry Plaza, Woking, Surrey. This facility brings together the School of Acting, which was previously delivered from the Avondale Building in Clapham North, London, and the School of Musical Theatre & Dance that was split between Barbican, London, and Guildford, Surrey sites.[8]
In 1995, the Italia Conti Associate Schools were founded,[9] which deliver the same style of courses as in the main academy.[9]
Listed below are the locations of associate school branches which take place around the country and provide courses in part-time performing arts training:
A CBBC series entitled School for Stars followed pupils at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, showcasing the school's activities and featuring events from the students' day-to-day lives. Each series followed a set of students during the school term. The series mainly featured the Theatre Arts School (Juniors) and occasionally featured students from the various 16+ courses. School For Stars first aired in 2011, and a third series began on 2 September 2013. The show was narrated by Reggie Yates.[11]