Introduction to Acting
I have taken other courses before and I honestly do feel this course stands on its own as a very unique short course for people wanting to start out in pursing a career in the industry.
Leah Donovan
I can safely say that this was by far the best acting course I have been on. It was challenging and fulfilling and I enjoyed its very practical focus- I felt that I learnt an awful lot throughout the 4 weeks and would definitely recommend this course.
Nick Dowlatshahi
Have you ever dreamt of becoming an actor?
If so, our Introduction to Acting course is perfect for those who are both inquisitive and serious about a future career in acting.
Introduction to Acting is aimed at those currently outside the industry. It runs regularly throughout the year for a month over weekends and on weeknight evenings. The course will cover key elements of actor training including Voice, Improvisation, TV Technique, Shakespeare and Movement as well as weekly sessions on text work.
Throughout the course you will be given constructive and realistic feedback on your progress and advice on future training and career development should that be an option. All the classes will be taught by tutors from the Actors Centre's regular programme for professional actors.
The course will cost £550 and is open to anyone with commitment and enthusiasm. The course will be restricted to 12, giving you an unparalleled level of tuition and guidance for less than £10 an hour!
The Actors Centre is delighted to confirm three new Intro to Acting courses, which will be held in October and in November 2008.
The dates and times of the two courses are posted below.
Book early to avoid disappointment.
You can click here to download the application form.
Intro to Acting: January 2009
Jan 10, 1030-1730
Jan 11, 1030-1730
Jan 15, 1800-2100
Jan 17, 1030-1730
Jan 18, 1030-1730
Jan 20, 1800-2100
Jan 22, 1800-2100
Jan 25, 1030-1730
Jan 27, 1800-2100
Jan 29, 1800-2100
Jan 31, 1030-1730
Feb 1, 1030-1730
Feb 3, 1800-2100
Intro to Acting: Febuary 2009
Feb 7, 1030-1730
Feb 8, 1030-1730
Feb 12, 1800-2100
Feb 14, 1030-1730
Feb 15, 1030-1730
Feb 19, 1800-2100
Feb 21, 1030-1730
Feb 22, 1030-1730
Feb 26, 1800-2100
Feb 28, 1030-1730
Mar 1, 1030-1730
Mar 5, 1800-2100
Intro to Acting: March 2009
Mar 7, 1030-1730
Mar 8, 1030-1730
Mar 12, 1800-2100
Mar 14, 1030-1730
Mar 15, 1030-1730
Mar 19, 1800-2100
Mar 21, 1030-1730
Mar 22, 1030-1730
Mar 26, 1800-2100
Mar 28, 1030-1730
Mar 29, 1030-1730
Apr 2, 1800-2100
The course will cover several of the key elements of acting training:
Regular sessions working with a variety of different texts, from classical to modern, exploring ways of approaching plays and developing character, motive and compelling performance. These will be vigorous sessions rooted in close focus on your potential as an actor. Text and scene work will arm you with a wide knowledge of plays and playwrights and build your confidence in approaching text, developing character and communicating with fellow actors and the audience. We will also discuss how to pick the right audition piece for you and cover general audition technique including delivery, attitude and focus.
Improvisation can be used as a rehearsal tool as well as a path to spontaneous and imaginative acting. You will grow in confidence, learn to trust others and gain skills that can be applied to rehearsal, audition and performance.
We will explore Shakespeare's verse, unravel the clues in his text and discover how the rhythms and structures of the language inform meaning and enable the character to shine through. A great opportunity for those who are baffled or intimidated by the plays to become familiar with classical text and handle the verse with ease.
These sessions will involve the creating of character, from the inside out, using Stanislavski and Laban as the foundation, exploring the development of the ‘self’, without affectation, but based on truth. From improvisation through to performance, creating a character in tandem with the piece, its period and other actors, bringing truth and belief to the role. The process of adopting the physical and vocal characteristics of the character from the inside out.
You will have the opportunity to discover the essential techniques for acting on TV and film. We will look at the difference between stage and screen acting before exploring the technical stuff, such as frame size, the constraints of the master-shot, hitting the mark, telling a story without words and the demands of the microphone. And, after all that, you'll learn how to forget the technicalities and concentrate on acting.
We will look at the do’s and don’ts when casting and auditioning for film and TV. How can you improve your chances when you never get to see the video played back, never see how the others read for the part, never get feedback from the director and never get the script in time to be off the book? We will guide you on the way to improving your chances of a successful audition.
You will discover how to develop a vocal technique that is free to serve the demands of your text and give you exercises that will further develop your voice and its emotional range. You will also be given advice on vocal health and keeping the voice free and expressive.
At the end of the course you will be offered advice on future training and development. This could include private tuition advice, drama school courses, training abroad, photos and CVs. Following this session you will be sent a letter which will include a selection of your feedback from the course tutors.
Professional, fun, honest, challenging, constructive and encouraging.
Yve Shaw
Apply by sending us the application form along with a short CV of your performance experience (if you have any) and a passport photo.
You can click here to download the application form.
Our address is:
1a Tower St
London
WC2H 9NP
We'll then get back to you to confirm your place. Once your place is confirmed we ask you to pay within 3 days.
If you can't download the application form then you can email bookclass@actorscentre.co.uk or call 020 7632 8002.
Completion of this Introduction to Acting course is not a guarantee of eligibility for Actors Centre membership.
For information about our Introduction to Presenting course click here.
