Rising contentions regarding theatrical education and training has recently penetrated through the top ranks of UK's theatrical figure after internationally leading voice expert Patsy Rodenburg announced her decision to part ways from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Rodenburg has worked with notable individuals within the industry across her expansive and highly influential career teaching vocal acting, including preeminent English actors Judi Dench and Ian McKellen and illustrious playwrights Arthur Miller and Harold Pinter.
She has also contributed as the Head of Voice and former Professor of Text and Poetry at London's Guildhall, one of the foremost educational institutions teaching drama in the country, putting in about 42 years across her duties. Some of her then students include famous names like Daniel Craig and Damian Lewis.
That said, she has recently announced her resignation from the drama school due to feeling "exasperated" with the current trends in theatrical education.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama's Milton Court building.
Regression in the Craft of Drama and Acting
Specifically, in an interview with The Observer, she explained that there has been a great decline in teaching the "craft" of acting at the Guildhall and elsewhere in the past 12 years.
This "craft" involves "breath work, body, and vocal preparation" that is essential for an actor's "presence" and "impact" during a stage performance. In essence, Rodenburg described it as a non-negotiable when working with a director and without it, an actor becomes a "liability."
She added that unlike with film and television, where you can get away without having a lot of "craft," going up on stage without it is akin to a chef not knowing how to prepare an onion. This type of "ignorance" is what Rodenburg purports some teachers of voice and movement are promulgating.
Some of Rodenburg's colleagues are even among the "detractors" of "craft," recalling that they would even refuse her to sit in during their classes.
She also sensed a lot of disregard for Shakespeare's teachings from them, saying that she heard from one of her teaching colleague's students that some of the teachers were just not pushing them enough and would instead reinforce "resignation" in the face of challenges.
This kind of education has resulted in older theatrical professionals, like senior actors and directors, complaining about the absence of "craft" and "resiliency" among newer actors.
As per Rodenburg, these concerns were left unaddressed and ignored by the Guildhall, eventually prompting her resignation from the institution.
She even wrote to one of her students, explaining that her "passions and belief in theatre" are not echoed anymore in the institution, which is why she has to leave and find others who would do the same work alongside her.
In line with this goal, Rodenburg is gearing up to offer free classes for all Guildhall alumni and has even finished recording a podcast on the subject called "Craft: Sweat and Joy," with two episodes already available since last week.
Royal Shakespeare Company's co-head Daniel Evans echoed the professor's worries and sentiment on the regressing state of theatrical training, saying that Rodenburg's resignation is a "great loss" for the Guildhall, sharing that he is in talks with the professor regarding work at the RSC.
As per Evans, his main concern is in regards to some drama schools shifting towards film and television, saying, "If the balance has shifted away from basic craft skills, that would be a great loss."
In response to Rodenburg's concerns, The Guildhall released a statement adamantly rejecting them, citing its recent designation as No. 1 in Arts, Drama & Music by University Guide 2024 as the counter to her criticisms, alongside being one of the top 10 drama institutions in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
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