The Drama School Handbook - by John Abbott (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Take the first steps toward your career as a professional actor

Is your ambition to be an actor in films, TV shows and plays? Do you want to train at a drama school to start making that ambition a reality? Are you looking for honest, expert advice to boost your chances of success and beat the competition?

If your answer to these questions is YES, then this essential guide to drama schools is for you!

Written by an acting teacher with decades of experience in top UK drama schools, this book breaks down everything you need to know about the whole journey, including:

• Getting In: How to research which schools to apply to, select and prepare your audition speeches, and impress the audition panel on the day.


• Getting On: How to make the most of your time as a student, including settling in, working successfully with your teachers and classmates, and preparing to enter the professional industry.


• Getting Out There: How to find work, stay motivated, and create your own opportunities with industry professionals.

Whether you're thinking of applying to drama school, or you're already there and looking ahead to what comes next, this book will equip you with the inside information you need to let your commitment and talent shine.

Review Quotes

Without John Abbott's exceptional advice and guidance, I would never have made it into the career I so wanted. His words come back to me time and time again--trust me, you need him too!
--Leo Woodall (One Day, The White Lotus), from his Foreword

If you have students wanting to apply for drama school, this is the book that you, and they, need...friendly and down-to-earth
--Ink Pellet magazine

John Abbott knows--really knows--what he's talking about...Everything he writes is really useful and supportive preparation...[He makes] lots of suggestions on how to prepare for (and deal with) those all-important meetings with casting directors, agents and directors--the first step into the world of professional work...a couple of copies in the drama department library would probably be a sensible investment
--Drama and Theatre Magazine

About the Author

John Abbott is an author with a wealth of experience in theatre and education. He had a successful career as an actor before turning to teaching. He was Head of Acting at the Arts Educational School of Acting in Chiswick, West London, where he taught improvisation, stand up, and Shakespeare before retiring in 2012. He is the author of The Improvisation Book (Nick Hern Books, 2007), Improvisation in Rehearsal (Nick Hern Books, 2009), The Acting Book (Nick Hern Books, 2012) and The Drama School Handbook (Nick Hern Books, 2024).