Who Are We?
Founded in 1986 the Ufton Drama Summer School offers performing arts students the opportunity to work with some of the most skilled drama tutors in the country. The courses are offered in a four year rotation and are linked to KS4 as well as A-Level examinations.
Widely recognised by higher education institutes, the expertise and skills taught at Ufton Drama Summer School are highly beneficial to students wishing to continue their studies of the performing arts.
The school is attended by students from across the UK as well as internationally and is led by Ron Price, an Advanced Skills Teacher for Drama and Theatre Studies and visiting lecturer at Reading University, Chair of the Board of Studies at The Institute of Education, Reading University. All of the courses are taught by experienced teachers that collectively pool their wide range of subject knowledge to deliver intensive and challenging courses.
Summer 2025
We are now taking applications for our Summer 2025 course, Brecht & Epic Theatre which will run from Wednesday 23rd July 2025 to Wednesday 30th July 2025.
You can find more information under ‘The Courses’ and ‘How To Apply’.
What Courses Do We Run?
The Ufton Summer School runs a total of four different courses; Physical Theatre, Epic Theatre & Brecht, Classical Greek Theatre and English Restoration Comedy.
Only one course is held each year with the content being rotated over a period of four years.
You can join the summer school with any of our courses and complete the FULL SET over a period of four consecutie years.
Where Are We?
The Summer School is held annually at the stunning rural location of Ufton Court, a privately owned Grade 1 listed building in the heart of West Berkshire.
The house and grounds have been extensively renovated and offer exciting working spaces within a secluded and safe environment.
Who Are We Looking For?
The Ufton Drama Summer School is open to all students aged 15-21 who have completed at least one year of Drama GCSE (or equivalent) by the start of the course. Applicants can be studying higher level education and the course has great benefits for A Level candidates as well as university students.
We are looking for applicants who have a love of drama with energy, enthusiasm and creativity. You should be someone who is open to challenging and new experiences who works well with others and wants to broaden their knowledge of performing arts.
We accept applications from across the UK as well as from overseas students.
Why Choose Ufton Drama Summer School?
Josh O’Connor – BAFTA Award Nominated Actor
Credits: (TV) The Durrells (2016), Peaky Blinders (2014), Ripper Street (2014), Doctor Who (2013), The Crown (2019), Les Miserable (2019)Credits: (Film) The Riot Club (2014), Florence Foster Jenkins (2016), God’s Own Country (2017)Ufton Drama Summer School is, without doubt, one of the most important and significant influences on me as an actor and creative. The course is designed cleverly to inform and educate on theatre history and forms, but also to encourage confidence and expression. Make space in your calendar. Cancel, postpone, pull a sicky, just don’t miss this! APPLY NOW!!!!
Casey Andrews – Playwright, Actor and Director
Her 2018 play, ‘The Archive of Educated Hearts” won The Scotsman’s coveted Fringe First Award at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Ufton set me up with a whole host of creative tools to tackle any task that was thrown at me, but more importantly, it taught me the importance of the group dynamic, how to listen and integrate ideas collaboratively, and how to make sure each ensemble member feels like a valued part of the team. Without these skills I couldn’t be doing what I do today: it’s amazing what a difference it creates when you keep the ethos of Ufton at the heart of your work, in short, it makes it better!
Jess Swale – Olivier Award Winning Playwright, Screenwriter & DirectorCredits: (Writer – Stage) Blue StockingsCredits: (Writer – Film) Summerland (2019), Horrible Histories: The Movie (2019)
Ufton was, quite simply, a game changer for me. It is the best drama course of its kind by a country mile, and I feel so lucky to have been several times. Never have I learnt so much, so quickly, but in a manner which was always fun. Every member of the team is exceptional, the workshops are packed; at the end of the course you come home exhausted but brim full of ideas and inspiration. Perhaps more than anything, though, Ufton treated us as theatre-makers, not students.
How Do I Apply?
Applications are available from the beginning of September through to the end of December for the following summer’s course. The course fees include accommodation, tuition and meals and are highly competitive with similar courses.
You can find full details of all of our courses, the venue and staff as well as testimonials from students of previous years across the website.