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Academy of Musical Theatre Wales Based at: BURLEIGH HALL, NEWPORT In October this year a new drama school will be opening in Wales. Disillusioned by the standard of available, affordable and relevant teaching in Britain, young actor and director Drew Baker decided that a fresh, new alternative was required and decided to go it alone and open the Academy of Musical Theatre Wales. ______________________________ Having spent all his life in and around the dramatic arts, Drew came across many people who wished to become professional actors, singers and dancers who were unable to attend theatre school due to the high costs. The recent uproar regarding tuition fees merely highlights an issue that professionally trained drama students have faced for years. Crippled by debts many of them enter a highly competitive environment and are forced to take on any job they can find, instead of pursuing their chosen career. Drew saw a need for a drama school that really prepared a student for the realities of the profession. So, without any government or charitable funding, he set out to create an alternative. Drew's vision for AMT-Wales is to make students employable within the industry after a one-year intensive course that will not lumber them with heavy debts. In setting up the Academy in Newport he is able to offer a far cheaper alternative (both in terms of fees and living costs) compared to other schools. He has assembled current professionals to teach all the classes ensuring that students receive an up to date experience of the demands of the profession. There will only be 20 spaces available for select pupils, who will be chosen on merit, based on auditions overseen by the newly appointed heads of department- Jamie Lee (Head of Drama) and Margaret Lawrence (Head of Dance). Competition for places at the academy is already fierce but Drew and his teaching staff are determined to keep the number low so as to ensure that each pupil will receive specific, individual training and guidance. "At the Academy of Musical Theatre Wales we will maintain a close, personal relationship with our pupils both during and after the course. We consider it our duty to ensure that each and every pupil is employed after one year and will actively represent them until they have found an agent" [Drew Baker, Principal AMT-Wales] AMT Wales will be based at the Burleigh Hall, Newport and has use of most of the facilities. These include a large mirrored dance studio, a great drama studio/rehearsal room, a fully equipped recording studio, private music rooms, a café, and a n outstanding 300-seat concert hall. For more information you can contact the academy either by email: admin@amt-wales.com, telephone:01633 264606 or by post 72 Stow Hill, Newport, South Wales. NP20 4DW. |
| Academy of Music Theatre Wales web site: www.amt-wales.com |
| Drew Baker e-mail: admin@amt-wales.com |
Sunday, August 8, 2004 |
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