The Poor School

The Poor School and Workhouse Theatre is a drama school situated in King's Cross, London, England.

The Poor School was created in 1986 by Paul Caister in response to the need for a first class acting training which was financially within the reach of all, or almost all. The two-year training programme at the school has been in operation for 25 years with graduates have enjoyed careers in theatre, film, radio, stage and comedy; ex-students have founded their own companies (Ridiculusmus and Sturdy Beggars, most notably) and have become producers, directors, casting directors and agents.

The Poor School is not accredited by Drama UK and does not issue diplomas or certifications.

It was announced in November 2016 that The Poor School is no longer accepting new students and the school will close at the end of the final term in July 2018. Its founder declined to comment on the reasons for the closure.

Acting training at the Poor School begins in the autumn and in the first year is divided into three terms of equal length, over which students undertake classes in acting, voice, movement, dance, singing, verse and text, character study and animal study. Students also rehearse a number of texts; Ibsen, Tennessee Williams, Orton, Wilde, Chekhov etc. which are performed internally to all staff and students. Contemporary scene work and Shakespeare also form core parts of the first year and are shown internally. There are no external showings in the first year.

The second year of the training begins by consolidating and developing much of the first year work in order to prepare students for the Poor School public shows and the transition into the industry as working actors. Students continue with voice, movement, dance and singing classes while preparing public showings of musical theatre and Shakespeare throughout the autumn term. These shows provide a very important bridge to the last six months of the training, known as the Public Season, which is when students perform in front of industry professionals. The Public Season begins in January with a showcase of short scenes to which agents, directors, casting directors and producers attend. It continues with a series of plays open to the public and industry professionals alike and culminates in a second evening of scenes which are again open to industry professionals only. The second evening of scenes is in June and marks the end of the training.

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