URDANG ACADEMYPROSPECTUS 2018

Life after graduation continues to be positive for Urdang’s students gaining employment in the West End and beyond. Most graduating students leave with representation from leading theatrical or dance agencies, meaning they finish their studies with the optimum chance of securing high quality professional work within the industry.

Recent graduate success includes:

Hamilton, Dreamgirls, Motown, Phantom of the Opera, Book of Mormon, 42nd Street, Aladdin, Wicked, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Barnum, Mamma Mia, Annie, Kinky Boots, Lion King, Matilda, Five Guys Named Moe, Stomp, Les Misérables, Thriller Live, Guys & Dolls, Beautiful, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins, Top Hat, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Footloose, Jersey Boys, La Cage Aux Folles, A Chorus Line, Follie’s, War Horse, Grease, Murder Ballad, The King & I, Carousel, Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?, Soul Singer, Matilda, Shrek, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat, Thoroughly Modern Milllie, Matthew Bourne, Cats, Ghost, Starlight Express, West Side Story, Chicago, The Producers, Fame, Hairspray, Pippin, Wonderland, Dreamboats & Peticoats, Tina The Musical, Bodyguard, Tarzan, Dirty Dancing, Saturday Night Fever, Mrs Henderson Presents, Riverdance, Kiss Me Kate, Rocky The Musical, The Illusionist, Sound Of Music, Legally Blonde, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, P&O Cruises, The Voice, X Factor, Brit Awards, MOBO’s, Britain’s Got Talent, My Parents Are Aliens, Sinbad, Guardians of the Galaxy , Maleficent, Sick Note, Blood Drive, Eastenders, Casualty, Waterloo Road, The Bill, Bad Girls, Doctors, Aladdin (2019 Film), Beauty & The Beast (Film), Mamma Mia 2 (Film), Dance, Dance, Dance, Hamilton, Chicago, American Psycho, Broadway, Chicago, Broadway, Magic Mike Live, Las Vegas, Love, Live and Happy Endings, Off Broadway, Broadway Christmas Spectacular, Off Broadway, Rihanna, Robbie Williams, Rita Ora, Janet Jackson, Little Mix, Katie Perry, Kylie Minogue, Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, Zara Larsson, X Factor Tour, Take That, Taylor Swift, Liam Payne, Teen

SUCCESS

We are the urdang academy, an exceptional vocational institute offering dance and musical theatre training in the vibrant heart of london. Urdang educates and trains young performers from 16+ and up in musical theatre and dance to become strong, disciplined and confident performers.

Urdang boasts a modern outlook, dynamic atmosphere and inspiring backdrop, making the academy an energising and contemporary place to study. We admit students based on their raw talent, believing that this raw talent supersedes size, race, height, socio-economic status and ethnicity. It is this mentality that has made us the most diverse dance and musical theatre academy in the UK and has also inspired us to run a selection of short and evening courses giving everyone the chance to train and perform at their best.

WELCOME

CHALLENGING AND NURTURING Our high-calibre courses and diversity of training means our graduates are highly versatile, rounded performers. That’s why our graduates are in constant demand for West End and International destinations, many of which are lead roles. Our courses and ongoing relationships with world-class industry professionals offer

our students invaluable exposure to leading industry professionals and keep Urdang at the forefront of the industry. A high level of expectation and discipline is teamed with relevant support and advice, ensuring our students reach their full potential.

Solange Urdang, CEO; Stephanie Pope, College Principal; Craig Phillips, College Director

“It has been so exciting over the years to watch the Urdang School from being born, through to becoming a major force in the education of our young performers and now turning out some of our top musical artists.”Anthony Van Laast MBE

OFSTED GRADE 1OUTSTANDING

“Outstanding all-round education and training in dance and musical theatre”

“I can’t count the huge number of their dancers I have worked with, they definitely are what I call “The Thinking Dancers”.Arlene Phillips CBE

Our constantly-evolving courses help Urdang maintain a legacy of cutting edge training.

Our courses include:• A three-year BA (Hons) Degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre awarded by Anglia Ruskin University during which students train for a career in the performing arts through technical training and academic study

• A three-year Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance or Musical Theatre during which, students train for a career in the performing arts through applied studies

• A one-year Foundation Course in Dance and Musical Theatre for students to develop their skills and prepare for auditions into top vocational colleges

• A two-year fully funded Level 3 OCR Diploma in Performing Arts during which students can gain up to 112 UCAS points whilst training in all practical subjects.

• A 12- to 18-month ISTD Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education offering a qualification in Modern and Tap genres to graduates from vocational colleges and to professional performers.

COURSES

BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre

Academic and applied training for a career in the performing arts. Our three-year BA programme connects aspiring students to a career in the performing arts through outstanding technical training and academic study.

The structure of the degree programme offers 3 different pathways (Triple-threat, Actor/Singer Focus, Dance Focus) that allow you to focus on your specialisms. Our BA programme nurtures raw talent and allows students to pursue specific interests, without boundaries. This programme has been validated by Anglia Ruskin University. This course is for students 18 and up, who are keen to be academically challenged by the theory of musical theatre and dance alongside learning the craft of performance. The challenging BA programme provides students the opportunity to train to the highest standards for a professional career in musical theatre and dance, whilst gaining solid academic skills that will enhance career prospects upon graduation.

The course:• Full time, delivered over three years• Vocational and academic studies• Practical skills in dance, singing and acting• Productions showcase students learning in a range of Dance and Musical Theatre disciplines• Facilitates greater understanding of cultural and historical developments in dance and musical theatre• Emphasises the importance of academic study through independent research projects• Offer opportunities to be creative through guided choreography projects• Vocational classes are taught in groups no bigger than 18, which ensuresindividual learning. This programme evaluates students on the quality of their academic and practical work.

Entry requirements (essential)- A passion for the performing arts- 80 points (new UCAS tariff) through Level 3 academic qualifications (BTEC, A-Level, Scottish Highers etc)- C in GCSE English Language (or equivalent). EU and international students will need to have gained an Academic IELTS score of 6.5.

Applied training for a career in the performing arts.

Our three-year Level 6 Diploma programme prepares students for a career in the performing arts through applied studies.

The programme focuses on developing students’ technique, contextual knowledge and performance training through vocational studies. This programme has been validated by Trinity College London & the Council for Dance Education and Training. The structure of our diploma programme offers 3 different tracks (Triple-threat, Actor/Singer Focus, Dance Focus) that allow you to focus on your specialisms. This course is for students aged 16+ and is a vocational course focusing on performance with an applied approach to performing arts training, encompassing all aspects of the performing arts. This gives students an excellent grounding in Singing, Dance and Acting alongside developing charisma, individuality and performance skills.

The course:• Full-time, delivered over three years• Predominantly practical and vocational training• Productions showcase students learning in a range of Dance and Musical Theatre disciplines• Enhances contextual understanding including historical, stylistic and professional aspects of industry• Vocational classes are taught in groups no bigger than 18, which ensures individual learning. This programme evaluates students on the quality of their practical work.

Students who graduate from this three-year programme benefit from the programme’s holistic approach, characterised by technical and contextual training. Students graduate having advanced their skills and will have developed a wider theoretical understanding of their chosen destination. It is the practical and holistic nature of the diploma programme that helps students to embark on a successful and fulfilled life in the performing arts, with the ability to develop a sustained and varied career.

The diploma track system allows students to select a direction for their studies which fits with their primary interests and strengths in the performing arts. This allows students to explore their interests in greater detail and become more specialised in specific areas of the performing arts.

Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre or Dance

After the first year, students may opt to follow a more focused pathway: triple threat training, singer/acting focus or a more dance-based focus. This allows students to elect their direction of study in the second and third years in line with their natural talent and likely destinations. The pathways give students the opportunity to explore their strengths and passions in greater detail, and opens the degree to applicants whose strengths lie in or one or two specialist areas.

This course is validated by Trinity College London and Council for Dance Education & Training (CDET)

Track A This track is designed to support students who are suited to pursuing a career with a focus on all aspects of Musical Theatre performances i.e singing, acting and dance. There is an equal emphasis on Musical Theatre subjects and Dance disciplines. On this track students are expected to reach a high level in all the disciplines of Singing, Acting and Dance.

Musical Theatre: Singing Technique, Singing Repertoire, Acting (including a Shakespeare module), Acting through Song, Voice (Accent and Articulation), Choir, Acting for Audition, Singing for Audition and Integrated Performance. Accent reduction for overseas students.

Dance: Classical Ballet, Technical Jazz, Musical Theatre Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Commercial, Acrobatics and Partner Work.

Contextual Studies: Theatre visits, critical reflection and project journals.

Track BThis track is designed to support those students who will predominantly follow acting and singing based musical theatre careers. This course is heavily weighted towards Musical Theatre disciplines; dance being used as a supporting discipline to maintain strength and core stability. This track has a strong emphasis towards performance in both Acting and Musical Theatre. On this Track students are expected to reach an exceptional level in Singing and Acting modules.

Musical Theatre: Singing Technique, Singing Repertoire, Acting, Voice (Phonetics/Accent/Articulation), Acting Through Song, Integrated Performance, Choir, Operetta Singing and Acting Master Classes, Acting for Audition, Singing for Audition, and Play Rehearsals. Accent reduction for overseas students.

Dance: Body Conditioning, Classical Ballet, Technical Jazz, Contemporary and Tap.

Contextual Studies: Theatre visits, critical reflection and project journals.

Track CThis track aims to produce the most versatile dancers for the current industry. This course is heavily weighted towards Dance with Musical Theatre being used as a supporting subject to maintain basic singing and acting skills. These students are expected to reach an exceptional level in all dance disciplines.

Dance: Classical Ballet, Technical Jazz, Musical Theatre Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Choreography, Acrobatics, Partner Work, Street, Hip Hop and Commercial.

Musical Theatre: Acting, Acting Through Song, Singing, Integrated Performance and Voice.

Contextual Studies: Theatre visits, critical reflection and project journals.

Entry requirements: by audition and interview.

Our one-year Foundation Course prepares students aged 18+ for auditions for further training. Students’ dance and musical theatre technique and performance ability are the focus of this course while tailored, actionable feedback is a another key component of training to develop the foundations of the individual.

This course is for talented students who need to enhance their technical proficiency so they can successfully audition for further studies in musical theatre and dance.

The students receive workshops from current industry professionals throughout the year. Students who graduate from this one-year programme benefit from increased performance levels, heightened confidence to successfully audition for further training, deeper knowledge and greater understanding of vocational level training. Graduates have an improved chance of gaining scholarships and funding for their future training.

Entry requirements By Audition.

Foundation

Access to Vocational Training (AVT)A fully funded two-year vocational course

As a funded two-year specialist pre-vocational course, the AVT will best prepare you for entry to high level diploma and degree courses in performing arts. The Access to Vocational Training course (AVT) is a funded two-year dance and musical theatre course for 16 to 18 year olds (Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma – 720GLH).

As an affordable, specialist pre-vocational training scheme, the AVT will best prepare you for entry to high level diploma and degree courses in performing arts. Upon successful completion, you will gain an OCR qualification that will earn you up to 112 UCAS points (equivalent to two A-Levels). Students are being taught in classes no bigger than 18.

As well as no course fees, you can apply and may be eligible for means-tested accommodation support.

Entry requirementsGrades 4(C) in English and Maths.Please note that if you have already completed two years at Sixth form or on any other BTEC/Level 3 equivalents, you will not be eligible for the AVT, our Foundation course will be your best alternative.

This course is validated by Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR)

ISTD Level 4 Diploma in Dance EducationFrom September 2018 Urdang Academy will be offering the qualification in Modern and Tap genres to graduates from vocational colleges and professional performers.

More details to be available on our website soon.

For more info about our courses, visit our website, theurdang.london or contact us on admissions@theurdang.london

Link AgencyAn in-house talent agency, focused solely on future student success. We recognise that most of our students have their sights set on careers as professional performers and our in-house Link Talent Agency was created to help these desires become reality. Having spent three years at Urdang, we know our students’ strengths, weaknesses and desires inside and out. This helps us match to-be grads to roles, performances, agents, casting directors and other opportunities that are a genuine fit for our students’ skills.

All interested third year students are represented by our in-house agency, Link Talent. Link Talent is the bespoke agency linking Urdang’s final year students to the industry. Current students have agency representation with the main objective to help maximise support and advice to students, and to place them into high quality productions.

Link Talent has successfully placed current Urdang students in prime TV dance and talent shows and has organised auditions for acclaimed West End productions, UK Tours, Commercial Dance, Films, TV Programmes, Commercials, Pantomimes, Cruises and productions. Every student is provided with the chance to audition for various exciting projects. Students can be represented by Link Talent for up to six months after graduation, allowing students the best opportunity in their transition from student to professional.

Link Talent creates unique opportunities for casting directors, agents and other leading professionals, giving them a sneak preview into Urdang’s emerging talent. Providing the industry with a valuable first introduction to the students, Link Talent matches Urdang’s fresh, raw talent with elite contracts. Head Agent at Link Talent is industry professional Alex Gottschall. After a varied career as a performer, performing arts teacher and agent, Alex has brought her wealth of experience to lead the in-house agency at the Urdang Academy.

‘Link Talent was absolutely incredible and vital for my first steps into the industry. Link has given me confidence and advice, not just for the performing arts but also for my life.’

Katherine Picar – Graduate 2015 - Straight into Miss Saigon West End

“A beautiful place to train and study”

The Urdang Academy is located in Central London. Studying in Europe’s largest city allows a multitude of choices that can make for a buzzing student life! Located near the hub of the West End, the Academy is in the centre of the action. Our prime position makes it easy to invite industry professionals to pop down the road and work with our students so that we remain at the forefront of performing arts training. Spacious studios and well-equipped facilities make it the venue of choice for a wealth of production companies who regularly use it to hold professional castings and rehearsals.

Our Facilities

The Old Finsbury Town HallThe Old Finsbury Town Hall (Grade II* listed, pictured opposite) is no ordinary performing arts centre. One of the capital’s hidden treasures with its rich Victorian heritage, it provides students with an inspiring backdrop to their training.

Before opening the building as a stunning student venue in 2007, Urdang spent two years restoring this beautiful landmark to its former glory, ensuring it met the needs of students and their training and allowing full disabled access.

Urdang’s courses have hugely benefitted from the academy’s relocation in The Old Finsbury Town Hall.

This is a bold and imaginative step that has not only provided Urdang with a suite of sparkling new studios and other facilities but has also rejuvenated staff and generated a sense of pride.

Urdang 2Urdang 2, our second location encapsulates the ethos of the academy but also represents the other side of Urdang’s personality i.e relevant and cutting-edge.

The site opened in 2014, to provide additional state-of-the-art training facilities for our talented students. Located a stone’s throw away from the Old Finsbury Town Hall in Islington, it has easy access to the tube and main bus routes.

This inspirational building is flooded with natural light and boasts bold graphics and industrial design touches. The premises provide purpose-built training facilities in an innovative and contemporary environment making it a fierce statement and providing a subtle contrast to our historical roots at The Old Finsbury Town Hall.

Amwell Street StudiosIn 2017, Urdang secured and developed a brand new space, as a continued effort to offer the very best training environment for its students. The studios are ideally located a short walk from the Old Finsbury Town Hall and ten minutes away from Urdang 2.

Shaw TheatreThe Urdang Academy has an exciting partnership with the Shaw Theatre. This collaboration provides students with the opportunity to act, sing and dance on the same West End stage that has graced the presence of stars such as Dame Judi Dench, Dame Flora Robson, Patricia Routledge and Michael Williams! An asset of the Pullman Hotel, The Shaw Theatre is one of London’s famous West End Theatres, located with easy access to Euston and Kings Cross. A popular venue for theatregoers, the 500-seat auditorium and large stage is perfect to enable students to thrive in a professional theatre space.

This partnership has also established the Pullman Scholarship, providing sponsorship to a student who demonstrates exemplary potential, with a preference given to a student living in the London Borough of Camden.

Performance

Performance is at the heart of Urdang. We provide students with as many opportunities as possible to gain performance experience and showcase their talents. Students perform in various productions throughout their training; some in-house and some for friends, family and the public.

First and second year students participate in the Summer Show, staged externally, encompassing all areas of their training and considered the highlight of the academic year. Second year students participate in a musical presentation, providing increased opportunity for students to gain valuable performance experience.

Students’ final year is all about performance, with three public performances during the year. Graduate productions, tailored to individual student’s strengths and employability are showcased to dance and theatrical agents. The varied programme ensures a wide range of agents attend, giving students the best chance of securing agent representation appropriate to their career path.

Students also perform in other shows such as ‘Move It’, ‘Can You Dance?’, in-house, charity and corporate events and male students get the opportunity to perform for Urdang’s all-male dance company Strike, set up to inspire future generations of male performers. Students have also performed or Children in Need, The Brits, Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor.

Highlights• Start performing from very first year• Performance challenge progresses throughout courses• Experience life in a ‘musical theatre company’ in 3rd year musicals• Work with current industry directors, musical directors, choreographers and production• Perform for top theatrical agents and casting directors in final year

URDANG ACADEMYThe Old Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Ave, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4RP

Phone:020 7713 7710

Website:www.theurdang.london

For more information:info@theurdang.london