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Two acting students on stage in costume in the middle of a performance, holding each other. A small group of other performers appear in the background.

Acting Welcome Guide

Preparing for your course

We're delighted that you've chosen to join our creative community at Arts University Bournemouth. We can't wait to see what you'll create.

Welcome to BA (Hons) Acting

This welcome pack is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during the first weeks of your course. Please take the time to read it carefully and take particular note of the pre-course preparation. We hope that you'll enjoy a happy and productive time with us, and we look forward to meeting you in October.

A message from your Course Leader

We're very excited that you're joining the BA (Hons) Acting degree course this year, and my colleagues and I are looking forward to welcoming you. We hope you'll enjoy the course and your time at Arts University Bournemouth.

Please read this pack carefully as it includes important information about your first week and certain items that you will need to purchase or bring with you for the start of the course. You'll find out more about the course and the University on arrival, but in the meantime you may wish to do some preparation.

As you'll already be aware, the BA (Hons) Acting course is a practice-based degree course in Acting that also contains some purely theoretical units. In our experience of running the course, some students struggle with more traditional academic work and we recommend that all of you undertake some preparatory reading this summer to equip you for the forthcoming year.

We also recommend that you spend some time this summer familiarising yourself with the acting industry by reading The Stage newspaper, exploring theatres and theatre companies that interest you, and watching as much theatre (live, online or recorded) as possible.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

– Kasia Zaremba-Byrne, Course Leader

Before you join us

There's no summer project for this course.

You'll receive a comprehensive reading list in your Course Handbook when you arrive. If you are able to access a copy of the books below from your local library before you arrive this will help prepare you for the course:

  • Barrouk D. and Popkin A. (2024). Stanislavski and the method for the 21st century actor. London: Methuen Drama.
  • Rodenburg, P. (1997) The Actor Speaks. London: Methuen.
  • Merlin, B. (2007). The Complete Stanislavski Toolkit. London: Nick Hern Books.

As these books will be useful throughout your degree, please make an effort to purchase them if possible.

Please note: there's no requirement to purchase these books prior to the start of your course. The AUB Library has the books in stock, so you'll be able to access the e-books once you've completed online enrolment and can access the physical copies within the Library once you arrive on campus. You'll need your AUB ID card from Face-to-face Registration in order to take books out of the Library.

Current student work

Have a look through some of the work our current students are producing to get an idea of the type of work you may be doing on our course.

Course equipment

We suggest that you bring the following items with you:

  • Notepad and pens/pencils.
  • Memory stick or external hard drive for backing up your computer work.
  • Water bottle.
  • Plain black clothes that allow movement, such as T-shirts, tracksuit bottoms and leggings, are required for all movement, voice, singing and acting classes. For warm weather, you may wish to wear short trousers. Please ensure these clothes do not have zips, metallic bits or logos. Leggings must be opaque, and T-shirts must cover the stomach area.
  • Students who identify as female are advised to acquire a black practice skirt (ankle or floor length) and black character shoes (from dance equipment shops). Students who identify as male should acquire, black trousers, black lace up shoes and a white shirt, though these aren't compulsory.
  • Nude underwear to be used during costume fittings.
  • For some movement classes, you're allowed to work in jazz shoes, but you'll also be encouraged to work barefoot to gain a more visceral understanding of your body and self. Jazz shoes aren't compulsory but are available from any dance shop if you wish to acquire a pair. No trainers are permitted in skills classes.
  • If you know that you have knee problems, please bring knee pads with you.

Please note you won't be allowed to participate in acting and skills classes without appropriate clothing.

What to bring on your first day

On your first day bring along:

  • A notebook and something to write with
  • Your ID and documents for face-to-face registration (see the "Next Steps" tab for more details)
  • Your Registration Passport enclosed with your Welcome notebook

Digital capability

This course uses both Apple and Windows computers.

Follow BA (Hons) Acting on social media

Explore more

Overview

We’re delighted for you to join us at AUB – we can’t wait to see what you’ll create.

Exterior of the North Building on AUB Campus, with the words "Arts University Bournemouth" going vertically down a purple background on one side. A couple of trees line either side of the pavement in the foreground.

Next Steps

Find out the useful dates and contact before you start here

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