The Dorset School of Acting

School of the year 5cm

Be Brave, Be Bright, Be Brilliant

Becoming a performer is probably one of the hardest things you could ever want to do but it’s our passion to make you the very best you can be.

Here at The Dorset School of Acting we’ve created an inspirational and unique drama school since 2007; based in the Bournemouth and Poole area of the beautiful South coast. With a team of dedicated, experienced professionals, our reputation and standards continue to grow, earning recognition as a respected place to train for performance excellence.

At the heart of our training is our very own exclusive approach to acting – “The Process”.  It is the secret to truthful acting and has been developed by one of the school’s founders from years of obsessive research and ambition to find a simple and consistent way to create truth as a performer.

From our 1 year course in Acting & Musical Theatre, 2 year sixth form course in Creative & Performing Arts to numerous classes for young people in acting and musical theatre, we are proud and excited by our commitment to the future of performing arts and are driven to make sure that it can be accessed because a life without the arts is no life at all.

So please, have a look around at what we have to offer and come and join the next generation of drama schools.

 

BE - Be Brave, Be Bright, Be Brilliant

We use our own systematical approach to the art and craft of the actor...
Discover our process

Full Time Courses

Courses for those wishing to pursue a professional career in acting and musical theatre.

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Part Time Courses

Courses for adults wanting to develop and improve their acting skills.

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Youth Courses

Courses for young people aged 5-21 years in musical theatre and acting.

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The Process

Find out how we make truthful actors.

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Upcoming Events
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Careers Fairs 2025/26

DSA attend a number of careers fairs at local school and some not so local.  Keep an eye out to see if we’re coming to a school near you.   Thursday 16th October 2025 Leaf Academy 5-7pm

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Open Days 2025

Lighthouse,
21 Kingland Road,
Poole, BH15 1UG

DSA are offering parents and students the chance to come to Lighthouse for our 2025 OPEN DAYS.  We will open our doors from 11.50am – 1.45pm on Tuesday 21st October & Tuesday 9th December 2025.  Come and meet our head of … Continued

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Thoughts • Ideas • Advice Green Room Blog
didnt get into drama school

Didn’t get into Drama School?

Ok so you have auditioned or are currently auditioning for the top drama schools? The window of opportunity is closing and you are not getting that much success and you are starting to wonder what you are actually going to … Continued

Not all performing arts training paths need to lead to London

So you have spent the last 4 years working away in your secondary school in Anytown, UK and finally you are ready to take your next step towards your dream of becoming a professional performer. Naturally you want to leave … Continued

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Dame Harriet Walter

DSA's Patron

Dame Harriet Walter

DSA is thrilled to have Harriet Walter as it’s patron. She represents everything that DSA believes in and strives for in classical and modern acting.

I first became interested in the Dorset School of Acting a number of years ago when I saw their creativity, attitude and consideration for the theatre they were producing; a company endeavouring to make difference. Since then they have proved themselves as a tenacious centre of excellence in Acting & Musical Theatre training. I’m excited to be patron to such a bright and fearless school.

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