All change at BSA (Birmingham School of Acting) as it becomes the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - Acting!!

Actor and Voice Artist Sean Connolly outside his old drama school, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - Acting, formerly BSA (Birmingham School of Acting) starting another year of teaching Radio Drama ...

Blimey that went quickly! It seems like only yesterday that I had started my first academic year teaching Radio Drama at BSA (Birmingham School of Drama)! Well, just embarked on my second year with a whole new shiny batch of drama students at my alma mater. Exciting times ahead too, as BSA (Birmingham School of Acting) has joined forces with the (ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE) to become the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - Acting ... It makes complete sense to join these two esteemed training centres of excellence for music and acting. It is however tinged with a little sadness for me and probably all of my fellow BSA ex-students going all the way back to 1936, as of course the name change means no more 'Birmingham School of ...' Onwards and upwards!!

I really enjoyed my first year teaching at RBC - Acting, particularly seeing the progression of the students over the nearly six months I was with them. So massively looking forward to instilling my love for the dark art of radio drama with whole new group of Second Years!

Exciting too of course that the brand new £57 million facility of Birmingham Conservatoire also received its Royal Patronage earlier this year when HRH The Earl of Wessex became its first Royal Patron.

From the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire website: 

Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, Principal, Birmingham Conservatoire said:

"I am delighted to announce that HRH The Earl of Wessex has accepted Birmingham Conservatoire's invitation to become its Royal Patron. This is an enormous accolade to receive from His Royal Highness and is a testimony to the wonderful achievements of our team at the Conservatoire."

The announcement not only acknowledges the artistic excellence of Birmingham Conservatoire, currently ranked top of all UK conservatoires for student satisfaction, but also further reinforces the City’s reputation as home to world-class music and performing arts.

Great to be part of it all ...

Saying goodbye to my first batch of Radio Drama students from BSA ... COMING SOON to a studio near you!

Actor and Voice Artist SEAN CONNOLLY with students from the Birmingham School of Acting (BSA) Group 1 - Year 2 BA (Hons) Radio Drama class 2016-2017.

It's been a very rewarding 5 months working with the Year 2 BA (Hons) Acting students at the BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF ACTING (BSA) exploring the joys and challenges of working in RADIO DRAMA.

Actor and Voice Artist SEAN CONNOLLY with students from the Birmingham School of Acting (BSA) Group 2 - Year 2 BA (Hons) Radio Drama class 2016-2017.

As mentioned in previous posts my time with the students has been particularly special being an ex-student of BSA myself , some THIRTY YEARS AGO!! Hopefully I've prepared them a little for the potential RADIO DRAMA part of their career ... Here's a montage of shots during a 'wild track' session (crowd scenes etc), great fun was had!!

I wish them all well, as they head for their third and final year, then into this 'crazy' business!!

Actor and Voice Artist SEAN CONNOLLY rehearsing students from the Birmingham School of Acting (BSA) in a RADIO DRAMA session ...

The Circle of Life: Going back to Drama School 30 years on!!

Actor and Voice Artist Sean Connolly outside his old drama school BSA (Birmingham School of Acting) about to embark on teaching Radio Drama ...

I am more than a little delighted to announce that I began teaching Radio Drama at my old drama school yesterday, the Birmingham School of Acting ...

In the lead up to my first day, it had not escaped my notice that it was nearly 30 YEARS AGO TO THE DAY that I started MY training at the then lengthier named Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art, back in 1986 ...

Well several name changes and site moves later, I arrived at the snappier titled BSA to teach the YEAR 2 Acting BA (Hons) students all about the dark arts of radio drama!

The building may have changed but the atmosphere inside seemed familiar and although this time I was there to teach, I really did 'almost' feel like a drama student all over again!!

I am happy to report that the young actors I worked with yesterday were all very keen to learn a brand new discipline for them ...

I'm really looking forward to sharing the knowledge I have acquired over the last 27 years ...

There was also that awful moment in class yesterday, realising that when I started my training in 1986, none of them had even been born ... Circle of Life PA!!!!!