Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts

Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts is a drama school in Woking, Surrey. It was founded in 1911 by the actress Italia Conti and offers courses in acting, musical theatre and dance. The academy trains students aged 16 and above through higher education programmes and younger learners aged three to eighteen through its Associate Schools. It is accredited by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre and was formerly a member of the National Council for Drama Training. The institution has moved several times since its founding, operating from locations across London before consolidating all activities in Woking in 2022. The academy is recognised for its professional training programmes validated by the University of East London. Its three-year BA (Hons) Acting course began in 1994 and prepares students aged eighteen and above for careers as actors. The BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course, introduced in 2018, provides three years of full-time training in acting, singing and dance. Shorter foundation courses such as the CertHE Intro to Acting and CertHE Musical Theatre Performance offer one-year preparatory training. The academy also runs a Professional Arts Practice top-up degree for students progressing from non-degree qualifications. The new facility in Woking includes specialised studios for dance, acting and musical theatre, alongside recording and television production spaces. The building brings together programmes previously spread across London and Surrey. The academy’s Associate Schools extend part-time performing arts training to locations including Battersea, Brighton, Guildford and Plymouth. A former junior school once operated in Islington until it closed in 2021 after ninety years. The academy’s work has also been featured on the CBBC series *School for Stars*, which followed pupils during term time.