The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts is a performing arts conservatoire based in Woking, England. It was founded by the actress Italia Conti in 1911. Italia Conti is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools, and accredited by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).
The academy then moved to a church building in Lamb's Conduit Street (at #14). However, during World War II, the academy was bombed, destroying all early records.
In 1981, the academy started running Junior and Musical Theatre courses in Islington. The BA (Hons) Acting and CertHe Intro to Acting courses continued to be delivered from the Avondale site in Clapham. In August 2022, all courses moved to Woking.
Courses
The following courses taught at the academy were validated by the University of East London, and accredited by the Federation of Drama Schools. BA (Hons) Acting Course, introduced 1994, a three-year full-time professional actor's training for students over the age of 18. CertHE Intro to Acting Programme, a year-long full-time course that serves as a preparation and foundation training for students aged 18 and above, formerly known as a Foundation Acting Course. BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Course, introduced 2018, a three-year full-time professional musical theatre training for students above the age of 18. CertHE Musical Theatre Performance, introduced 2021, a one-year full-time preparation and foundation training for students above the age of 18. BA (Hons) Professional Arts Practice (Top-up), from 2022, allowing students to progress from a Level 5 or Level 6 non degree qualification, to a BA (Hons).
Theatre Arts School (for Juniors) The Theatre Arts School, also known as the ‘Juniors’, was a co-educational independent school for pupils aged from 10 to 16 years old. The Theatre Arts School was first located in the Avondale building in Clapham, London and then at Goswell House, Barbican, London. The school was accredited by the Independent Schools Council and monitored by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Pupils would follow an academic curriculum to ensure they graduated with qualifications whilst also studying a range of performance skills. In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced that the Theatre Arts school would close in the summer of 2021 after 109 years.
Buildings and facilities
Woking, Surrey (New Building) In August 2022, Italia Conti moved to a new bespoke-built facility which provides over 4,000 square metres of activity space in Henry Plaza, Woking, Surrey. This facility brings together the School of Acting, which was previously delivered from the Avondale Building in Clapham North, London, and the School of Musical Theatre & Dance that was split between Barbican, London, and Guildford, Surrey sites.
Previous homes
Great Portland Street, London, 1911-1930. Church building in Lamb's Conduit Street, 1931-1941. 12 Archer Street, London, 1945-1972. Avondale, Clapham, 1960-2022. Landor Road, Clapham, London, from 1972 Italia Conti House, ('the academy'), in Goswell Road, Islington, London, 1981-2022. The Italia Conti Arts Centre in Guildford, which housed Musical Theatre and Performing Arts with Dance Teacher Training Courses.
Italia Conti Associates
In 1995, Italia Conti Associate Schools were founded, offering a wide range of classes, providing students with the same opportunity to receive a full and thorough training and performance skills, as they would in the head establishment.
Listed below are the locations of associate school branches which take place around the country and provide courses in part-time performing arts training: Italia Conti Associates Battersea, London Italia Conti Associates Bishop's Stortford Italia Conti Associates Brighton & Hove Italia Conti Associates Chislehurst at Coopers School, Chislehurst, London Italia Conti Associates Guildford, Surrey Italia Conti Associates Newbury at St Bartholomew's School, Newbury, Berkshire Italia Conti Associates Newcastle Italia Conti Associates Petersfield Italia Conti Associates Plymouth at Lipson Co-operative Academy, Plymouth, Devon Italia Conti Associates Reigate at Reigate School, Reigate, Surrey Italia Conti Associates Rugby Italia Conti Associates Ruislip Italia Conti Associates Tunbridge Wells at the Skinners School, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent Italia Conti Associates Woking at Italia Conti's main premises in Woking, Surrey
