BUDDING actors over the age of 16 years are invited to explore what life is like at a recognised drama school in a unique event offered by The Dorset School of Acting' (DSA). Patrons include by Dame Harriet Walter and Northern Irish singer Rachel Tucker, the DSA is based in the Lighthouse Poole and is Dorset's only full-time, independent drama school, offering courses in acting and musical theatre with accredited qualifications.

The DSA's 'Drama School for a Day' experience will take place at the Lighthouse Poole on Saturday, April 18 from 10am-4pm, with special funding from local subsidiaries allowing the DSA to offer an entry fee of £5 per place.

The day includes a series of classes in voice techniques, improvisation, musical theatre, dance, choreography and acting, led by an array of professionals with extensive experience working in institutions such as the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Mountview, RADA and the Oxford School of Drama. There will also be opportunities to pose individual queries in an 'ask the experts' question and answer session.

DSA Co-principal, James Bowden told the Bournemouth Daily Echo: “We are really excited to offer hopeful performers the chance to find out what a day in a renowned drama school is like. We hope that for many attendees the experience will be the first step in a personal journey to realise their potential and their dreams.”

He added: “Of course, it's also the perfect opportunity to find out if drama school isn't for you before trying out for a place, which is extremely hard work and can be very costly, depending on how many auditions you go to. We are especially grateful to our sponsors for allowing us to offer such an affordable entrance fee for our ' Drama School for a Day' experience.”

While statistics show more than 9000 would-be students audition for just 1000 places in accredited drama schools every year, DSA founders, co-principals and drama professionals Laura Roxburgh and James Bowden have held a 100% success rate for the past three years, placing all DSA graduates into professional work or further training at drama schools such as RADA, Rose Bruford, LAMDA, and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

No previous experience is required to attend the 'Drama School for a Day' event but early booking is advised as places are limited. To find out more about classes and courses offered by the DSA, including youth courses, adult acting classes, full-time courses and the DSA's new film and screen acting course launching in September this year, please visit www.dorsetschoolofacting.co.uk or call 01202 922675.