Top flight directors from the celebrated Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), The Urdang Academy and hit TV show The Voice are sharing their skills with youngsters in Southampton to develop future stars of stage and screen.

Stephen King, international voice coach for The Voice (Belgium), vocalist on BBC Radio Two's Friday Night is Music Night and technical singing teacher at The Urdang Academy in London will be leading the professional Musical Theatre Auditions workshop at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College in August.

"I'm excited to be part of such a forward thinking initiative" , said Carys Williams, the Widening Participation & Outreach Manager at RADA , adding:

“RADA is excited to be working with Theatre for Life to encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to participate in the arts. By offering a RADA workshop and Q&A session on drama school auditioning, we hope to open access to drama school training for talented young people in Southampton.”

In the Acting Auditions workshop, actors will be guided by Jason Warren (professional director at East 15 Acting School and artistic director of Axis Arts) in a three-hour audition masterclass. RADA will then continue the students’ professional development in a practical class, followed by a Q&A about the experiences of auditioning for and attending a full-time drama school. As a world-leading drama conservatoire, RADA not only nurtures the performing skills of its students, but understands the discipline required to succeed as a professional artist in today’s industry.

In the Musical Theatre Auditions workshop Stephen King will be exploring technical singing and how to prepare for audition. This will be followed by an acting through song session led by professional actor, Ameer Choudrie (London Road, BBC Films / National Theatre).

Michelle Smith, Artistic Director of Theatre for Life said:“We are very honoured to have such prestigious links such as RADA and international voice coach Stephen King working with the young actors and have every confidence that the young actors will truly benefit from such expertise.

“At Theatre for Life we want to provide industry standard workshops and opportunities in Southampton at affordable prices to ensure young actors are not hindered by financial constraints.”

Theatre for Life is a new company set up to encourage social inclusion through educational workshops and community theatre projects.

Young actors who come from low income households, BAME and who currently live in care will be able to attend both the Acting Auditions and Musical Theatre Auditions workshops for free upon agreement with Theatre for Life. Other young hopefuls can also attend the workshop at a heavily subsidised price of £20 for Acting and £25 for the Musical Theatre workshops.

DATES: August 14 and 16 , 10 am - 4.30 pm

VENUE: Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

BOOKINGS: Bookings can be made via the website: www.theatreforlife.co.uk or via email:

workshops@theatreforlife.co.uk