East 15 Acting School

East 15 Acting School is a drama school in Loughton, Essex. It trains actors, directors, stage managers and producers. The school was started in 1961 by Margaret Bury, who had worked with Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop for fourteen years. Its degrees come from the University of Essex. Until 2026 it also runs a campus in Southend-on-Sea. The school is recognised for its practical courses and innovative approach. It joined the University of Essex in 2000 under a vice-chancellor who wanted radical new training. A motion capture studio with thirty sensors was built to support specialist work. In 2025 East 15 was ranked first in the UK for drama and dance by The Guardian. Alumni include Damon Albarn and Marc Warren, though neither completed their studies. Visitors to Loughton find a campus set in the town’s surroundings. The main building houses studios and teaching rooms for acting and production. Nearby Southend’s Clifftown Theatre hosts performances and workshops. The school’s partnership with the University of Essex shapes its curriculum and facilities.