I offer tuition for London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and London College of Music (LCM) graded exams and diplomas.About these examsThese prestigious exams, similar to graded exams in music and dance, are designed to develop technical skills in voice, speech, characterisation etc., alongside nurturing self-expression, self-assurance, achievement and empowerment. Globally recognised, they also offer valuable qualifications, which at Grades 6, 7 and 8, carry UCAS points towards university entry.
Why take an exam?
A wide range of exams is available – see below for a list of subjects. No matter what direction you may follow in the future, these exams provide the opportunity to nurture your natural abilities and skills and so empower you to fulfil your potential. Tuition is available both online and in person. You can be assured of outstanding tuition from an experienced examiner and teacher with an impressive track record of success. Exam sessions are held in-person in Lancaster but exams can also be taken online.
These exams will develop your ability to:
- read easily, fluently and with good understanding
- expand vocabulary to improve powers of self-expression
- improve confidence in speaking and listening
- interpret and perform a range of drama, poetry and prose
- memorise and recall information
- deliver persuasive formal presentations
- creating and defending arguments working successfully alone or in a team
- engage in constructive informal conversation
- develop vital life skills
What exams/subjects are available?- Early Learning Stages 1, 2 & 3
- Devising Drama: Grades 1-8
- Reading Aloud: Steps 1, 2 & 3 then Grades 1-8
- Speaking in Public: Grades 1-8
- Speaking of Verse & Prose: Grades 1-8
- Speech and Drama: Steps 1, 2 & 3 then Grades 1-8
Early Learning Stages 1, 2 & 3 examsThe exams are designed to introduce you to creative expression and to the graded examinations framework. They are the perfect start for both young learners and those who have never taken an exam before. By learning the words of a fun poem from the likes of Michael Rosen and Valerie Bloom, you'll develop the ability to express yourself clearly while also improving memorisation and recall. Not only that, you’ll also gain in self-confidence as you talk about the things you love, like a favourite toy, place or book. These conversations will encourage you to feel at ease with answering questions, listening and using description.
Acting examsActing exams are designed to develop your vocal, physical and interpretive skills as you delve into characters and explore the background of dramatic texts. Alongside producing authentic performances of your chosen scenes, you'll also gain an understanding of the context and characters within them. You'll always have plenty of choice and can follow your interests. Plays can be old, from the likes of Sophocles, Shakespeare, Behn, Haywood, Sheridan, Ibsen, Wilde and Coward, or from contemporary playwrights such as Caryl Churchill, John Godber, Dennis Kelly, Lucy Prebble, Simon Stephens, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Tanika Gupta.
The Acting exams also help to develop key life skills, such as understanding and empathy, by allowing you to engage with different circumstances and/or situations in a practical way. They also promote creative thinking and exploration, whilst enabling you to acquire memory skills, spatial awareness, vocal confidence and physical presence.
Devising Drama examsIf you want to make your own work, the Devising Drama exams allow you to create your own scenes from scratch. Provided with a list of themes to pick from, you’ll create the characters and write the scripts yourself. As you progress to the higher grades, you’ll develop an understanding of dramatic structure and staging, using movement, mood, style and space. In the higher grades you’ll also perform short improvised scenes which are unplanned and unscripted.
Mime examsMime allow us to communicate without using a single word. Through single mimed activities and fully developed scenes, you’ll work on coordination and control, physical awareness and precise movements of your body to articulate emotion and characterisation in your storytelling. You’ll also create your own work, expanding your physical theatre skills as you assemble your own scenes. At the higher grades you’ll discover the work of famous mime artists like Charlie Chaplin and Marcel Marceau and learn the history of one of theatre’s most influential forms, commedia dell'arte.
Reading Aloud examsThese exams explore the art of bringing words to life by selecting texts and forming them into performance recitals, linking the readings with your own commentary. The performances are animated, imaginative and designed to draw in an audience by using movement and vocals to reflect the contrasting own-choice texts. On reaching the higher grades you’ll use your research and performing skills to prepare an entertaining recital, and this can include your own original writing if you wish. This syllabus will develop your skills in reading aloud to an audience, using both prepared reading and sight reading.
Speaking in Public examsSpeaking in Public exams will prepare you for a task that daunts so many people. You’ll write your own speeches, researching the topics, creating visual aids and presenting them from memory (although you can use notecards, if you prefer). You’ll learn the techniques required to engage an audience and to structure your speeches effectively, developing the confidence to deliver clear, focused and polished speeches, as you build the foundations of successful public speaking. At the higher grades, you’ll be asked to create an impromptu speech with minimal preparation.
Speaking of Verse and Prose examsThe Speaking of Verse and Prose exams allow you to explore poetry and prose in an engaging and practical way, developing solid communication skills as you perform to an examiner and an imagined audience. Developing a good speaking voice is key for these examinations and you’ll learn how to use your voice in different ways to provoke different reactions. Equally important, memorising a number of pieces will encourage self-discipline and focus. Technically, you’ll develop transferable skills in voice, diction, posture and body language , as well as an in-depth knowledge and appreciation of the literature.
At each grade, you’ll perform a set verse and/or prose selection and an own choice selection from memory. You’ll also answer questions about your chosen selections and any other theory required for the grade. In the higher grades you’ll also delve into Shakespeare's sonnets, exploring his life, work and influence, as well as discovering the other writers whose works you are performing.
Speech and Drama examsSpeech and Drama exams are the most popular exams since they combine performing poetry, prose and drama in one exam, along with sight reading. In other words, Acting + Verse +Prose = Speech and Drama. You'll learn how to deliver a wide range of texts such as dramatic monologues, sonnets, narrative poems and excerpts from stories. There is plenty of free choice of material, alongside some set pieces, and you'll also create a Portfolio of Work of your favourite pieces of poetry, prose and drama to discuss with the examiner.
Across all exam subjects you'll learn about: how to breathe correctly for performance, using intercostal diaphragmatic breathing; how to modulate your voice using a variety of pitch, pace, power, pause, inflection, tone and tone colour; how to speak clearly by articulating your sounds; how to use body language and gesture in performance; how to focus and relax in your performances; ; how to create believable characters; how to engage an audience and much, much more. And all this will be taught and learned in a fun and enjoyable way!
Want to know more about any of these exam subjects or about tuition? Then please get in touch - call or text 07792 309992 or email
ctmarlow@outlook.com. 
