Drama Schools Uncovered: Prestigious UK Institutions Are Breeding Grounds For Sexual Harassment & Racism
09.08.2023 - 11:17
/ deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Britain’s most revered drama schools have been hit with nearly 100 complaints about sexual harassment, discrimination, and bullying over the past three years, a Deadline investigation can reveal.
As part of a special series of stories, Deadline’s Drama Schools Uncovered will detail how prestigious performing arts institutions face searching questions about their culture and practices despite claiming they have “zero tolerance” for anything that threatens student safety.
The UK boasts an ecosystem of world-class drama schools, with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) among those catapulting stars of stage and screen to glittering careers. But figures obtained by Deadline provide evidence that some students are being put in danger in pursuit of their dreams.
For the first time, this publication has collected data from 11 public institutions through Freedom of Information Act requests, providing the clearest picture yet of inappropriate behavior and discrimination at renowned performing arts schools.
Of the schools questioned, there have been at least 27 formal sexual harassment complaints since 2020, 15 of which were upheld in some form. A minimum of 25 racism complaints were made, 12 of which were deemed to be credible. The drama schools recorded at least 27 bullying cases since 2020, seven of which were upheld. Eighteen gender and disability discrimination grievances also existed.
Deadline can reveal that at least three complaints were reported to the police by students, meaning there could be criminal proceedings in addition to the drama schools’ own investigations. Other findings include:
Deadline has spoken to dozens of current and former students, teachers, and industry observers to illuminate the