A guide to the London International School of Performing Arts

London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA) is situated at three Mills Studios in the East end of London, and was founded in 2003 by Thomas Prattki of the Ecole Jacques Lecoq, Paris. This article serves as a guide to the London International School of Performing Arts.

Introduction

LISPA’s teachings are centred on the work of Jacques Lecoq, a French actor who pioneered the use of the physical theatre (a style of drama whereby a story is told primarily through physical movement and the body of the performer). LISPA accepts 100 new international students per year, and gives each student the personal skills to create their own physical work.

Postgraduate course

The course The main qualification offered is a post-graduate, two-year course, “Creating Theatre and Performance”. The first year, the initiation course, is probational and the student’s performance during this year will be monitored. Students are taught the main principles of the performing Arts, and study how the performer’s body is used. Topics covered may include “The Human Body In Motion” (2011). The second year, the advanced course, allows students to apply the principles they have learnt to the creation of their own work. This culminates in the final, assessed work. An outstanding performance in this course may result in the student being invited to complete the pedagogical course, which is not open to public applications. Applications
The course begins in October, but the school advises that students should apply early in the year. that students must be over 21 in order to apply, and must have completed a degree in drama, theatre or the performing arts. Alternatively, a student must be able to demonstrate a relevant acting experience to prove that they are capable of the demands and standards of LISPA. There are no auditions, instead the school considers a student’s CV, letter of application, and references.

Short courses

The school also offers various short courses for performing artists who want additional training on a short-term, part-time basis. LISPA offers: 1. A three-week summer school in July 2. A foundation course, which runs from autumn to spring on Saturday mornings 3. Professional development modules, which offer a more specific tutoring in the areas of interest, such as “The Poetic Body” (2011). LISPA can also offer individual workshops for other schools and universities to suit specific requirements.