Court Theatre Training Company, one of London’s most vibrant and innovative drama schools, has officially joined the prestigious Federation of Drama Schools (FDS).
This achievement marks a historic moment, as it is the first time a new member has been welcomed into the Federation since its creation, further solidifying Court Theatre Training Company’s position as a leading provider of professional actor training in the UK.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be accepted into the Federation of Drama Schools,” said Paul Taylor, Executive Director of Court Theatre Training Company.
“This recognition validates decades of work by our faculty, alumni, and students and opens a new era of opportunity, visibility, and excellence.”
The Federation of Drama Schools is widely regarded as a hallmark of excellence within the performing arts industry. Membership assures students and graduates enhanced credibility, offering greater recognition with casting directors, agents, and producers across the sector.
Founded in 1989, Court Theatre Training Company has built a reputation for its professional-standard training, innovative outreach, and dedication to preparing students for long-term, successful careers in the performing arts.
Its acceptance into the Federation celebrates over three decades of sustained achievement and represents a significant shift within the UK’s drama education landscape.
With accessibility and inclusivity at the heart of its approach, Court Theatre Training Company offers a standalone audition policy, UKVI approval for international students, and a range of outreach initiatives — demonstrating its commitment to delivering future-focused and adaptable actor training.
About the Federation of Drama Schools
The Federation of Drama Schools was established in 2017. Evolving from a group of drama school training providers who came together initially in 1969 as the Conference of Drama Schools (CDS), the 22 member schools at the time offered courses in Acting, Musical Theatre, Directing and Technical Theatre training, which were accredited by the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT). In 2012, these 2 bodies merged to form Drama UK. In 2017, this organisation dissolved, and the Federation of Drama Schools was created.
The Federation of Drama Schools partners are institutions that provide conservatoire vocational training for those who want to be professional performers, theatre makers and technical theatre practitioners. The courses they offer are for the most part for students of 18 years and over, and are fully established, recognised and regulated as higher education qualifications.
Each Federation partner offers a range of different courses and programmes. They are also individual in terms of particular ethos and approaches- there is no ‘set’ programme or course of studies, just as there is no ‘fixed’ ideal of what characteristics make a great performer or performance maker.
All partner schools do adhere to shared principles and characteristics that underpin their training programmes, and these are used to underpin the consideration of new partners. These hallmarks outline the key elements of a professional training experience and are what might be expected from any course that is intended to prepare for a professional performance career.
