Diploma in Acting and Theatre

What is the Foundation Diploma in Acting and Theatre?

The foundation course is aimed primarily at school leavers interested in preparing themselves for three-year actor training at conservatoire level, either at The Lir Academy or other drama schools. With an additional focus on broadening students’ reading and understanding of plays and theatre history, it also prepares students for broader drama degrees and related areas of study and work. The course is taught by a committed team of teachers, including many of The Lir Academy’s core acting tutors and teachers from our Master of Fine Art programmes. The personal development of students is enhanced by regular individual tutorials with the course director, a dedicated member of staff who supervises all aspects of the programme.

The course also encourages students to develop their own individual creativity with a focus on collaboration, improvisation and lateral thinking.

This is a restricted entry course. Applications must be submitted by the beginning of February each year. This course is taught by The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity. It is not part of the CAO application system. Application forms can be completed online on The Lir Academy website: www.thelir.ie. Only one application is needed for the Bachelor in Acting degree and the Foundation Diploma in Acting and Theatre if students are applying for both courses.

Entry is by audition. Students will prepare a classical and a contemporary monologue for the first audition. Each monologue should be no more than three minutes long. Successful applicants at the first audition will be required to attend one more round of auditions, at which voice, movement, and group skills will be assessed. Auditions will be held between November and March each year.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.

The Foundation Diploma provides the students with a basis in the fundamentals of Acting, Voice and Movement technique. Students study the main genres of dramatic writing as well as performing these works and developing their own. This training provides the foundation for their future study as actors at drama conservatoires as well as for studying academically at B.A. level.