If you would like any information contained on this website, including the prospectus in either large print, Braille, audiotape or another language, please phone 020 7713 7710 or email info@theurdangacademy.com

'The course has hugely benefited from the academy’s relocation in the old Finsbury Town Hall.  This is a bold and imaginative step which has not only provided Urdang with a suite of sparkling new studios and other facilities but has also raised morale, rejuvenated staff and generated a sense of pride.'
Ofsted Inspection January 2008

Urdang Academy began in 1973 as the vision of one woman - its founder Leonie Urdang - and it continues to fulfill the dreams of students who have been passing through its doors ever since.

From its studios in Covent Garden and now at it's superb new facility just a stone’s throw from Sadler’s Wells, Urdang Academy has become one of the finest performing arts colleges in the U.K and is recognized within performing arts communities internationally.

Leonie’s passion for the Russian Ballet instigated the founding of The Academy, which now, focuses on Dance and Musical Theatre. Her contempt for apartheid in her native South Africa drove her to support under-represented groups, and this continues as its ethos.

Urdang is hugely committed to the development of talented individuals and regards potential as paramount in the selection process. With its highly specialized training, dedicated students will always be rewarded for their hard work. Watching the successful development of every student motivates staff at Urdang and helps maintain an exceptional level of teaching.

Urdang students undergo a rigorous process of training and education over the three years they spend there, which is both fulfilling and fun. They emerge as performers fully prepared for the professional world of Dance and Musical Theatre and ready to thrill audiences for many years to come.

Urdang Theatre & Dance School On Sundays!
Please see 'Theatre School' page for more information on this great opportunity for 9-21 year olds.

PATRONS

Dr Wayne Sleep OBE
Wayne Sleep has been a patron to Urdang Academy for many years. This is a Picture of Wayne signing point shoes on one of his visits to The Academy

Anthony Vaan Lasst:
“I am thrilled to become a patron of the Academy, and hope to be able to use my knowledge, experience and expertise to give something back to the students just starting out”

Arlene Phillips OBE
Information and Picture to come

The Rt Hon Lord Gilbert
Information and Picture to come

Testimonials by Recent Urdang Academy Graduates

Craig Williams
Graduate 2005
LEAVIN THE DANG!!!!!!!!!!!!

I joined the dang in 2002 and loved every min of it, finally I was doing what I loved everyday and fulfilling my dream of becoming a professional dancer. As I went through the years it became apparent that this was going to be a way of life and I couldn’t wait!

When I graduated in 2005 I went straight to work in ‘Ray Charles’ UK tour and from then I went on to do ‘Ray Charles’ US tour and (37 states out of 52) Monte Carlo.  After spending two years with Ray it was time to move on, I then went on to film a music video for Josh Winks and also filmed a bollywood film in Mumbai, India.
After that I joined the cast of ‘Thriller’ the musical, UK and Scandinavian tour.
From Thriller I filmed adverts for Adidas and MTV and during this time I saw the audition for Lion King in the stage paper. Off I went to the audition and three weeks later I got a call from the company manager offering me a part in the ensemble as a giraffe. It was the best feeling in the world!
At present I am still in the Lion King however I feel that my journey is only just beginning as there are so many things that I have not yet done and the best advice I can give to all those who are thinking about becoming a dancer is: 

Work hard, be you, and the reward will come, never get disheartened as the business will test every emotion in your body and you will find emotions you never new you had. I cannot lie to you and say it is easy because it is far from that, its very hard, but you only get out of life what you put into it, and I did put blood sweat and tears in but look what I have achieved 

Lucy Glover
Graduate 2006
I graduated Urdang in 2006 and since then have enjoyed a successful career. I started out in Hackney Empires' production of "Cinderella", from then on I went onto being a featured dancer on Carnival Cruise Lines, and I am currently performing in "We Will Rock You" at the Apollo Theatre in Stuttgart Germany.

The Urdang Academy gave me the tools in which to achieve this. It showed me that the harder you work, the bigger the rewards will be in the end, and to give everything you have all the time and to have the confidence to do so. It gave me all the foundations I needed to venture into the industry, starting with amazing training with teachers who always passed on their own experiences to help us along the way. I had so many opportunities to perform whilst at college, in the end of year shows and smaller shows throughout the year, gaining valuable performing experience that you can't teach in a classroom.
In our final year at college we had many mock auditions, which really helped me know kind of what to expect from real auditions, from all the dance calls, to building up a portfolio of suitable songs for different shows, to even being given text to go away with and come back later to perform in front of the panel. I learnt how to organise myself properly, and how to be a true professional.

After leaving college, I have continued to learn so much, through different auditions, meeting different agents, and doing the variety of different jobs that I have. I have increased my knowledge as to how the theatre works and especially with the technical side of microphones and working with a big set like in ’We will Rock You’. I'm still growing as a performer everyday, learning new skills and gaining confidence that will help me get new experiences in the future. I'm also learning what I need to do to maintain my current level of fitness, and to keep my body and especially my voice sustained in such a long contract like this one I am in now. I am still finding new things in the show and exploring how far I can push my body and voice, and I don't think that I will ever stop learning throughout my career.

I had the most amazing time at college, and it gave me so much, because I gave it my all and worked harder everyday, and for that I am so grateful because without that training and experience it gave me, I wouldn't be where I am today.