MIDSUMMER CONSERVATORY PROGRAMME

Applications for the Midsummer Conservatory Programme 2026 will begin on 17^th November 2025.

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Weekends
Throughout the programme, students on the Midsummer Conservatory Programme will have a variety of excursions, masterclasses and group activities planned for them, including at the weekends.

The weekends will also provide students with some free time to explore as well as for learning lines, rehearsing together and preparing for the week ahead.

Previous planned day excursions have included day trips to London and Stratford (students are provided with a food allowance and suggested cafes and restaurants to visit alongside BADA staff who will also dine).

Events

Open Day
The work on the Midsummer Conservatory Programme course builds to an Open Day where the students share their newfound knowledge and work developed throughout the 3 weeks. Families, BADA staff, BADA supporters and other guests are welcome to attend Open Day.

Excursions
The Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford upon Avon and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London are just two of the theatres that have been visited during the programme – each including a day trip for exploring.

Masterclasses
Students have Masterclasses in such areas as Physical Theatre and Stage Combat delivered by leading British practitioners in these fields, along with actors and directors.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided within the St Hilda’s campus and consists of a single room with shared bathroom facilities in a block reserved for BADA.

Students are supervised by three experienced chaperones who also reside in St Hilda’s for the duration of the Midsummer Conservatory Programme; they are on call night and day to ensure the students have the best possible experience.

Students attending the Midsummer Conservatory Programme must adhere to BADA’s code of conduct at all times and follow the instructions given by the Course Director, BADA’s Wellbeing Staff, and the chaperones.

BADA runs a strict no alcohol policy on this programme. No participant, regardless of age, will be allowed to drink alcohol while attending the programme. Reasonable curfews are also in place to ensure that students are being responsible and fully committed to the programme.

Facilities

BADA’s Midsummer Conservatory Programme is based at St Hilda’s College, Oxford. Located on the banks of the River Cherwell, a tributary of the River Thames that flows through Oxford, St Hilda’s is located across the river from the Oxford Botanic Garden and looks towards the historic centre of the city.

The College’s campus features a number of gardens and planted areas, including the Wildflower Walkway and Riverside Path, which are perfect for a stroll while practicing a monologue.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided seven days a week for all students at St Hilda’s.

Please note that BADA is an organisation which contracts with St Hilda’s for the use of facilities for the duration of the Midsummer Conservatory Program, but which has no formal connection with the College.

The Midsummer Conservatory Program’s faculty features distinguished artists from British theatre. To learn more about our Faculty, please visit our Faculty page.

We welcome applicants ages 16 – 18.

Participants must have turned 16 prior to the start of the course (no later than July 1). Prospective applicants who will turn 16 after July 1 should wait to apply until the next application cycle.

The 2026Midsummer Conservatory Programme fees are $7,100.

The above fee does not include the non-refundable Application Fee of $55 which is paid at the time of application.

On acceptance, in order to hold their place, applicants will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of US$500. The balance of the fees will be due in two installments with final payment due by the end of May.

All fees are payable in US dollars. Please note, in addition to the fees payable to BADA, participants are responsible for their own airfare, ground transportation to and from the airports and spending money while on the programme (including the purchase of snacks at weekends).

Midsummer Conservatory Programme Refund Policy

A deposit of $500 is required on acceptance, which is non-refundable. Fees are payable by the due dates as outlined in your acceptance letter. Any fees paid will be forfeited should you withdraw from the programme. Participation in the programme will not be permitted if programme fees have not been paid in full before the start date and any fees paid will be forfeited.

If the programme is canceled by BADA due to circumstances beyond our control, all fees, with the exception of the application fee, will be refunded. BADA accepts no responsibility for personally incurred expenses such as flights or pre-booked ground transportation.

Financial Assistance 

BADA only has a small scholarship fund from which awards will be made to applicants who indicated that they would like to be considered for funding. These awards are based on need and merit. Need is demonstrated by checking the box, asking to be considered. Merit is demonstrated in the audition. Unfortunately, BADA is not in the position to support all accepted applicants who request funding. In addition, most awards are in the range of a few hundred dollars.

Although BADA by no means wants to discourage applicants from applying to the program, we do feel it is important for applicants to understand that most participants will be asked to pay the full fees. Before applying to the program, please note the fees and consider how you will fund the experience should you be accepted.

If you have questions on financial assistance, please contact Jennifer Rockwood prior to submitting an application. Application fees are non-refundable. Jennifer can be reached at jrockwood@bada.org.uk.

Each year, BADA offers scholarship support to the Midsummer Conservatory Programme donated by the Norman Ayrton Scholarship Trust. Established by the bequest of BADA’s first Dean, Norman Ayrton, the Trust works to advance education in the arts. Norman believed that all talented students should have access to the highest-quality drama training and established the Trust so that financial need is not an obstacle to attending the Midsummer Conservatory Program.

To apply, MCP applicants must express need for financial support on their application. All students who do so will be considered for a Norman Ayrton Scholarship. Scholarship determinations are made based solely on the audition.