Pursuing a career in the arts
By Hayley Cole, Director of Drama and Dance
The Drama & Dance faculty runs support programmes for those wanting to pursue a career in the Arts by X their vocational training post Bedales. For those auditioning for drama school, their application and audition process is assisted by the department, and we also employ a specialist drama school audition coach, Martha.
6.2 (Year 13) Drama Scholar Ege has been successfully selected for three top drama schools and is in the fortunate position of choosing his favourite option! Below, he reflects on Martha’s supportive process.
By Ege, 6.2 (Year 13), Drama Scholar
I started working with Martha knowing I wanted to apply to drama schools, but I felt unprepared and unsure if I could do it this year. From our very first session, she recognised this hesitation and helped me see auditions not as something to fear, but as an exciting challenge. Her reassurance gave me the confidence to finally pursue something I had always wanted.
What made Martha’s teaching so effective was how quickly she understood what was holding me back. She offered honest, constructive feedback and challenged the self-conscious habits that limited my acting. Through our weekly sessions, I learned how to approach classical texts, explore a character’s psychology, and respond to redirection with curiosity rather than doubt.
Despite starting late, Martha helped me focus on the essentials - choosing monologues, developing characters, and building performance confidence. She created a space where I could take risks and work practically towards each goal. Her support made all the difference.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for everything she taught me; I felt prepared, focused, and like I was growing with every session. Martha’s guidance was a huge part of my audition journey, and I can’t thank her enough.
'Forging a Career in the Arts' Sixth Form Enrichment
By Charlotte and Zibs, 6.1 (Year 12)
This half term, in our ‘Forging a Career in the Arts’ Enrichment, we were visited by Old Bedalian and successful actor Pierro Niel-Mee (2010-12) who has recently finished a run at the Globe Theatre.
From leads in classical 20th century theatre to new unreleased TV shows, Pierro has learnt a lot about the industry since leaving Bedales in 2012. His perspective on entering it was different from what we had heard from other visiting theatre and show-makers; he had gone straight from Bedales into acting, having a good agent from age 14. Pierro was supportive of drama schools, but at the heart of what he shared with us was having passions outside of acting and putting aside your pride. He said: “Some days you’ll be a lead at the Globe on a six-month show and some days you’ll be serving beer in a pub. You have to put your ego aside.” He highlighted the importance of not making acting your life and that, in his experience, the best actors he had worked with were people who had studied something different at university or had other passions they had pursued and then gone on to drama after. He gave details of his experiences working with different types of directors, projects, creative relationships, how he gets into character and how his approach to his trade has changed over the years. He also mentioned how, when you are in the industry and you have time out of work you should be grateful for it as most people work 9-5 jobs weekly and don’t get long holidays, whereas actors might work very hard for intense periods but be out of work for a while. He encouraged us to, if we experience this extra free time if the future, value it. “Always keep one eye on work” but also to relax and pursue other interests in life - friends, passions, experiences, another trade.
On 28 April, during another ‘Forging a Career in the Arts’ Enrichment session, we had Tanya Darlow, Director of Development, talk to us. Tanya works closely with Old Bedalians in her role, helping to organise events to keep Bedales alumni connected to the school. Before coming to Bedales, Tanya worked in public relations in theatres, promoting shows. Tanya spoke to us about how she learnt to manage actors during the press process, whether it’s making sure the process is relaxed, or managing the questions that may be asked to actors. She worked alongside producers and directors, meeting to discuss how long shows might run, what angle to take when marketing and what age group the audience may be. As part of the job Tanya got to attend events such as press nights where she was able to network. It was really interesting hearing the perspective from a different part of the industry which some of us may not have thought about, as well hearing Tanya’s useful advice, such as always being respectful and knowing the up-and-coming directors and writers that you can work with.
Thank you Tanya for taking the time to come to talk to us.