Welcome to RESAD, the oldest spanish school of theatre and one of the most prestigious in Europe. For more than one century RESAD has contributed to the training of profesionals of the theatrical world by means of personalized teaching which enables students to deal with different theatrical disciplines.

A teaching staff of more than fifty undertakes the instruction, assesment and tutoring of the pupils.

RESAD is located in the very center of Madrid, near Retiro Park, in a new building endowed with the most advanced premises and two theaters: the García Lorca, which is a small, round one, and the Valle Inclán, a 500 seats theatre for huge productions.

 A HISTORY OF RESAD 

It was Queen María Cristina de Nápoles, Fernando VII´s wife, who found the first institution dedicated in Spain to the "interesting and dificult art of declamation or sceni performing". So, in 1830, it was opened the Royal Conservatory of Music and Declamation. This was later transformated into National School of Music and Declamation, Conservatory of Music and Declamation, Royal National Conservatory of Music and Declamation, and finally, in 1951,Music and Performing Arts were separated and Royal Academy of Dance and Drama was created.

But theatrical education was treated with contempt in our country until the last 70’s. It was in those days when ambitions plans of studies proposed by Herman Bonin, García Pavón or Ricardo Doménech began to develop in our school the theatrical innovations that were already well-know in Europe.

From 1992, RESAD offers three Bh. Degrees: Acting, Stage Direction & Dramaturgy, and Design.

Also, it offers different courses and seminars and is conected to drama schools and universities all over Europe and South America.

 PLANS OF STUDY 

Each degree lasts four years. Stage Direction & Dramaturgy is divided in two options: the first oriented to directors and the other to playwrights and specialists in theatrical theory, critics and drama teachers.

Among the subjects studied in this degree are: Text Analysis, History of Performing Arts, Theory and Practise of Stage Diection, Dramatic Literature, XVII Century Staging, Contemporary Theatre Staging, Lighting, Theory, Technic and Practise of Criticism, Introduction to Scenic Design, Acting, Sociology and others, with different productions along the year.

Design is a completely new degree in Spain and a very appreciated one because of the largely designers, main subject are: Scenic Space, Perspective and Visual Percepcion, New Technologies applied to Design, Stage Technics, Make-Up, Dress Design, among others. Students in this course create their own exhibitions and design all the productions at RESAD.

Acting degree has been a traditional one at RESAD, but now it´s been increased with several innovations. From now on, students can choose between the regular acting course, the Pantomime specialization, the Puppets Theatre Course, and the "Acting for Musical" one. Among the subjects are: Acrobatics, Voice, Fencing, Dramatic Literature, History of Theatre, Make-Up, Mask Work, Acting…Students act in several productions along the courses.

 ADMITTANCE 

New students will be admitted at RESAD every september after the suitable exams. To attend these exams, the candidates must hold a pre-universitary degree.

The exams consists of two different proofs:

 Summary 

1. Common to all three degrees. Dramatic analysis of a text proposed by the tribunal.
2. Variable for every degree. For Stage Direction & Dramaturgy: proposed of a mise-enscene from a concrete play. For Scenic Design: proposal of the design of a play previously selected. For Acting: performing of different scenes, also proposed by the tribunal.

 LIBRARY 

The RESAD library offers a stock of 13.000 books of which 2.200 are for consultation and the rest for borrowing.

The library has the latest texts on dramatic literature and theatrical theory and indeed all kinds of publications related to dramatic art.

The library will remain open all day thus enabling the student to use it at any time during school hours.

 PUBLICATIONS AND PRESS 

This department promotes the activities which take place in the school and also publishes, texts which deal with the most outstanding workshops and lectures throughout the course. The department also produces leaflets and posters of school’s different activities and also contacts the press and the media.

 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT 

One of the future specialities which RESAD is eager to include in its studies is Theatrical Production. The activities are completed by internal administration of RESAD’s own productions.