Ah, Birmingham. It’s the UK’s second city, with more canals than Venice and the home of the much-loved TV series Peaky Blinders. You’re in luck if you’re an aspiring actor based in the West Midlands, because Birmingham is also a hub of creativity with some great places where you can develop your dramatic craft. Below we’ve outlined some of the best drama schools and acting classes in the city, with details on what they offer, who they’re aimed at, and what makes them worthwhile.
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Best for: Traditional drama school training with industry clout.
The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) is one of the top drama schools in Birmingham. Part of Birmingham City University, it offers a rigorous BA (Hons) Acting course and a prestigious MA. Previously known as the Birmingham School of Acting, the Conservatoire’s emphasis is on classical and contemporary theatre, screen acting, voice, and movement training. In the 2025 Guardian ranking of the best drama and dance schools, it came in at No. 4. Alumni include Khalid Daley, who has performed in West End shows such as Hamilton and War Horse.
Entry requirements: A highly competitive audition process with recalls.
Best for: Young performers ages 14 to 19 who want practical training during school hours.
Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) is a pioneering institution that offers acting classes in Birmingham for older children during school hours. Established as a specialist arts college in 2011, it offers training in dance, music, musical theatre, and acting. Sixth-form students are encouraged to take LAMDA exams and A-levels alongside their practical training, qualifying their experience. The school is free to attend, and it has approximately 150 places available in its Year 10 cohort, which increases to 175 for Year 12. If alumni Jessie J’s advice is anything to go by, “BOA is definitely the place to be.… The facilities are amazing.”
Entry requirements: Application and workshops.
Best for: Anyone ages 7 to 21 who wants acting classes.
Founded in 1988, Stage 2 Youth Theatre is Birmingham’s longest-running youth theatre. The theatre offers specified workshops every Sunday at Queensbridge School in Moseley, and it stages two productions a year in professional theatre spaces such as the Crescent Theatre. Many of its previous shows have received four- and five-star reviews in the local press, and many participants have gone on to study at prestigious drama schools such as LAMDA and RADA. The theatre’s mantra is that anyone should be able to access the arts. “We don’t turn young people away regardless of background, ability, experience, or financial status,” according to its website. And the theatre puts its money where its mouth is, offering a subsidy fund for those who can’t afford the fees.
Alumni include Arthur Darvill, of Doctor Who fame, who described the school as “amazing” and said he believes he has “a lot to thank them for.” Adrian Richards, who has been part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, also attended. “Stage 2 gave me the opportunities that I didn’t think existed,” he says. “Not only did it allow me to express myself to the fullest, but it also gave me the opportunity to meet some wonderful people I call friends for life.”
Entry requirements: Stage 2 is open to all and costs £180 per child per term, with a sibling discount available. That includes access to both the morning and afternoon groups, with no waiting list.
Best for: West End–standard musical theatre training for young people.
Established in 2012, SOTE Birmingham aims to take “stage school training to a new level.” Offering weekly classes and summer schools in musical theatre for children ages 9 to 18, the school’s programme is a comprehensive package that includes musical theatre, ballet, jazz, tap, choral singing, and acting. One-to-one singing lessons are also available, and the school is as welcoming to complete beginners as it is to children with extensive prior training. Its website proudly lists that many SOTE students have gone on to star in professional West End and local productions. If that’s your dream, then SOTE could help you get there. The school also offers a 30-week foundation course, designed to equip you with all the skills necessary to gain admission to drama school.
Entry requirements: Open to all.
Best for: One-off classes and learning new skills.
If you’re looking to try something creative in Birmingham, then the Midland Arts Centre (MAC) is worth a look. With a mission to “make art an important part of people’s lives,” it offers a rich programme of ceramics, creative writing, and deejay classes in a building right in the centre of Cannon Hill Park. Its acting classes are top notch too. With a range of summer schools for young people, weekend workshops, and weekly adult beginner acting classes, there is lots to choose from for all ages. There’s a real emphasis on exploration at MAC. There are workshops led by industry professionals to build confidence, experiment with characters, learn how to improvise, and prepare for drama school auditions.
Entry requirements: It depends on what classes are on offer, but it’s usually first come, first served until places are filled.
If you’re an aspiring Birmingham-based actor, you’re not short on options for training. From renowned drama schools to experimental workshops, the city’s acting scene is rich in opportunities. Be sure to research each option and choose a class that aligns with your goals, budget, and availability. Who knows? It may be the first step in a long career.