Clare Cairns Reflects on Acting Out Drama School´s 'Drama School of the Year' Triumph and the Power of Performance

Clare Cairns, the founder and director of Acting Out Drama School, has dedicated over two decades to nurturing performers and public speakers. In 2024, her school's hard work was recognized with the prestigious 'Drama School of the Year' title by the Scotland Prestige Awards. In this exclusive interview, Clare shares her thoughts on the significance of this achievement, the transformative power of drama, and how the supportive community at Acting Out continues to inspire and shape the lives of students—from aspiring actors to those simply looking to find their voice.

Photo credit: Lucy Devine

Nicolle: Clare, as the founder and director of Acting Out Drama School, how does it feel to see your school recognised as the Drama School of the Year by the Scotland Prestige Awards in 2024? What does this achievement mean to you and your team?

Clare: Being named Drama School of the Year by the Scotland Prestige Awards in 2024 is an incredible honour and a proud moment for me and the team. Having founded the drama school over 20 years ago now, it feels amazing to see our hard work recognised. But this award is also a testament to the passion and dedication of everyone we work with. From the 1000s of students who train with us, to the endless dedication of our coaches and staff, we all have our part to play. Personally, it’s also a reminder of how far we’ve come. It motivates us to continue pushing boundaries to inspire and support even more performers and speakers.

Nicolle: You mentioned the joy of watching students develop their confidence and craft at AODS. Could you share a memorable success story of a student who has significantly transformed during their time at the school?

Clare: Absolutely, we have so many success stories, particularly from actors who just took up an acting class with us for fun and are now professionally acting in big feature films. But it’s the ones who find their confidence and their voice against all the odds that stand out for me. Like Archie Douglas, who was brain-damaged by a tumour.

Despite being told he would die because of it, he took up acting training with us, attended all his classes, learned his lines and performed in shows. He also comes to all our performances each year, stands in front of packed-out theatre spaces and presents about his charity Beat The Beast Challenge, where he saves 100s of lives through fundraising. Archie, and people like him, are so truly inspirational. And that’s what our school is about. Yes, we create successful actors and confident speakers, but we also nurture real people who have their own stories to tell, and their own light to shine.

Nicolle: The school is located in Edinburgh, a city known for its rich history and vibrant arts scene. How do you think the environment and culture of Edinburgh contribute to the experience of students at AODS?

Clare: Edinburgh’s rich history and vibrant arts scene create the perfect backdrop for our students' experience at Acting Out Drama School. Being in a city that hosts the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe and so many other cultural events immerses our students in a thriving artistic community. They have access to a variety of performances, workshops, and networking opportunities that greatly enhance their learning. Our venues tend to be in older and historical buildings, so we can ignite their passion and creativity. I do believe that the city's creative energy and heritage inspire our students, pushing them to explore their craft in ways they might not enjoy elsewhere.

Nicolle: AODS emphasizes a supportive and professional community for both students and coaches. How do you foster this environment, and why is it important for aspiring actors and performers?

Clare: At Acting Out, we foster a supportive and professional community by creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to express themselves. We emphasise collaboration over competition, despite the fact it’s a competitive industry. We find that directors and agents prefer working with people they like and know are reliable. It’s not always about your talent. That’s a massive part of the job, of course, but it’s also about your personality and your energy.

We try to mould our students into good, positive, productive and long-lasting actors and speakers who are confident and resilient. The support that we offer is crucial for aspiring actors because the performing arts can be challenging and daunting. By nurturing a positive and respectful atmosphere, we help students feel empowered to take risks, develop their talents, and ultimately reach their goals, which can be professional acting, or just being able to stand in front of an audience and speak. People come for many different reasons to train with us, and we try to help them all.

Photo credit:  Jon Davey.

Nicolle: With over 20 years of experience in leading AODS, what changes or developments in the world of acting and drama education have you observed, and how has the school adapted to these changes?

Clare: In recent years, the rise of self-tapes and online auditions has transformed the acting industry. Today, most first-round auditions are self-tapes, requiring actors to have strong technical skills and confidence in front of the camera. At Acting Out, we've created many courses to help with this. We’ve also adapted our offerings by creating a whole new department which focuses on online education, integrating new technologies and digital platforms and preparing our students for the evolving landscape of the industry. This also means we can reach students all over the world and not just in Bonnie Scotland.

Additionally, I´ve noticed that many of our actors and speakers are faced with increased anxiety and stress. We've responded by providing more support for mental well-being, offering guidance to help actors manage stress and build resilience in their craft. We also have a dedicated hypnotherapist from RyanScottPerformance.com who specialises in helping performers and public speakers cope and manage themselves during these times.

Nicolle: The school offers a variety of opportunities for students to connect with professionals and explore different subject areas. Could you give us an example of how these opportunities have helped students expand their horizons?

Clare: At Acting Out, we´re committed to providing students with opportunities to connect with industry professionals and explore various aspects of performance. One key example is when we invite casting agents to meet with our students and watch their performances. This direct exposure gives students valuable insights into the industry and a chance to showcase their talent.

As a result, many of our students have secured professional representation through these connections, opening doors to more auditions and acting roles. In addition, we have recently received eligibility for Spotlight Membership on our Professional Acting Course, which is massive as most agents won’t consider representing an actor unless they have this. It also gives the students the chance to find their work without an agent. All these opportunities not only help expand their horizons but also provide real-world experience, bridging the gap between training and the professional acting world.

Nicolle: For those who might be new to drama or unsure of their goals, what advice would you give to prospective students or their parents considering enrolling in a course at Acting Out Drama School?

Clare: For those adults new to drama or unsure of their goals, my advice is to approach it with an open mind and a sense of curiosity. Drama is not just about becoming an actor—it´s about building confidence, creativity, and communication skills that are valuable in all areas of life. So many students have started out at a Public Speaking Class or Beginners Drama Class and then ended up acting professionally or making a massive and positive change in their lives.

While we don’t recommend quitting your job and going travelling, it happens a lot! Our classes can open up your mind and help you realise you may have been a little stuck, and didn’t need to be. Opening your creative channels again (the ones you used when you were children) is so rewarding and often shifts your perspective, especially when you train in a supportive and fun environment.

For parents, I want to say in bold words “YOUR KIDS NEED THIS!” It’s unlikely they get creative performance attention at school. Drama helps children find their voice. It’s good for their future public speaking skills, it’s good for their confidence, it helps them to make friends, and it’s good for learning a new language; so if you’ve just moved to the UK, this is going to help them. Overall, whatever your reasons, I would see drama as a journey of self-discovery. Whether or not you or your child pursues acting professionally, the skills and experiences gained are invaluable.

_

Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.