About Us

About Us

Guildford School of Acting, Steve Porter

The Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (formerly CDET), is the only industry body in the UK offering quality assurance and membership services to institutions delivering training, education and assessment in the performing arts.

The organisation was founded in 1979, delivering expert guidance and support to providers of professional courses and qualifications, as well as working with government to ensure that the UK creative industries continue to provide superior opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to develop as artists of the highest calibre, according to their potential.

Over the years CDMT has become the first point of contact for employers, students and teachers seeking information about quality education, training and assessment in dance, drama, musical theatre and the performing arts across the UK. CDMT also liaises with government authorities to ensure that its members’ views are represented strongly at all levels of national and international decision making.

In summary, CDMT:

  • Acts as the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Performing Arts Education and Training
  • Accredits excellent professional training at full-time dance, drama and musical theatre schools – providing the industry benchmark of quality since 1979
  • Validates the world’s leading awarding organisations which offer dance, drama and musical theatre and performing arts qualifications
  • Works with Affiliates to develop the highest standards of programme provision across the performing arts
  • Recognises, by means of the Recognised Awards Scheme, pre-vocational dance, drama and musical theatre schools and teachers
  • Provides membership and other specialist services through the Conference of Professional Schools, Awarding Organisations Committee, Affiliate meetings and Graded Examinations forum
  • Manages a substantial public-facing online platform which promotes members and core services, as well as administering two information websites for DaDA and Graded Examinations respectively
  • Publishes the UK Guide which is the definitive resource for those seeking information on quality provision in the sector
  • Operates a free comprehensive information service for students, parents, teachers, artists and employers