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Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course will introduce you to the craft of acting. Through a series of practical exercises, drama games and improvisation you will develop your creativity and find the freedom to act in a friendly and supportive environment. You will focus on some initial exercises that will free you and develop your spontaneity, presence and ability to engage truthfully in the moment. The emphasis is as much on learning to engage fully and discover the joy of working well with other actors as it is on developing an initial skill set. You will be introduced to techniques that will help you to build character and explore text.
What will we cover?
• Drama games and group exercises • Improvisation and scene work • Character work • Performing truthfully and believably • Text work.
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Work collaboratively and confidently with others. • Present yourself confidently in the space. • Develop and play character • Prepare and perform a short scene and/or monologue depending on the length and duration of the course.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for complete beginners and those wishing to increase their confidence when acting. It is also suitable for those returning to acting after an extended break who wish to build confidence.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be involved in group, pair and some individual work.
HEALTH CHECK You may or may not be asked to participate in rigorous activity from time to time. Please consider whether you could do this; if you are in any doubt, consult a medical practitioner.
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can relax and move freely in. A notebook and pen is useful.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can enrol onto Acting: improvers; Improvisation or one of our Stanislavski courses.
Lawrence Lambert is a teacher of Stanislavski Method Acting, skilled and experienced in interaction and development of students in Method acting, and performance. He is flexible, adaptable and committed to student creativity and personal discovery throughout their development during rehearsal through to performance, discovering “The Self” using Stanislavski techniques in Creating Character, Improvisation, Voice, Movement and Text, developing the student both singularly and as part of an ensemble. Other influences include Sanford Meisner, Ute Hagen, Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler which are incorporated to a high level of understanding. Lawrence studied at East 15, London and The Actor's Studio, New York, and has taught at The Actors' Centre London, The Actors' Guild, MET Film School, East 15 Acting School as well as City Lit.
Deirdre Strath ClydeSee moreSee less
Deirdre is a supportive and dynamic acting, drama and accent tutor at Citylit. She trained in acting in NYC and at RADA , and studied Performance and Culture at Goldsmiths (MA). Her directing credits include new writing workshops of Shaken by Louise Page and staged readings of plays and musicals at RADA, a devised play The Disunderstood at CityLit; she has also directed large scale Music Hall Events for The Portico Gallery. As a writer, plays include Waking Beauty, The People Downstairs (Young Vic, Shortlisted for LWT Plays On Stage), The Lizzie Play directed by Rufus Norris (UK and international tours, Time Out & Playbill Critic's Choice) A Cautionary Tale for the National Theatre Studio, and Betty Has To Go Now, commissioned for the 2013 Solo Theatre Festival. Performance credits include Betty Has To Go Now, Adult Child/Dead Child, and What Happened to the Tyrant, Bessie in Arthur Miller's The Ride Down Mount Morgan (West End world premiere), Joanna in Home Free (directed by Kathy Burke), Jeeves and Wooster (ITV) and Simon Gray's Unnatural Pursuits (BBC TV)
Sean trained at École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, a world renowned school for physical theatre. Over the two years he trained in devised theatre, ensemble building, character development, mask work, mime, object manipulation / puppetry and clowning, among a vast array of other training. Sean also trained at East 15 Acting School on the BA Hons / Acting & Stage Combat degree graduating in 2011, gaining specialist skills in nine different weapon sets alongside an extensive acting program, in contemporary and classical work and practitioners. Sean works as a performer, director and choreographer, and regularly leads workshops and courses for theatre companies across the UK, Europe and Asia. His approach to theatre follows predominantly from his training at Lecoq, with the body and with a playful curiosity, exploring the space and how the body moves within it. In his courses he hopes to open up a deeper understanding of performance technique, emotional engagement, physicality and the exploration of all aspects of life through theatre and to share his deep profound love of what he does with others.
Juliet PragueSee moreSee less
Juliet Prague trained at the Drama Centre. Theatre is her first love; she was a founding member of Mkultra, a performance collective that presents work in the UK, Greece and Italy. Her extensive career as an actor includes 24 Hours at the Arnolfini (Bristol 2019), The Vagina Monologues (2019), Afterlives in Athens as part of the Hellenic Festival (2017), Circle of Blood shot in Niagara Falls by cult director Michael di Paolo (2014) and Square Rounds written and directed by Tony Harrison at the National Theatre. As director she has created theatre in unexpected places including art galleries and homeless communities. A skilled voiceover artist she has recorded many talking books and cartoons. She has also sung with Voicelab at the Southbank Centre. With her wide knowledge base including Stanislavski, the Method and Meisner Technique, Juliet has taught acting for over twenty years at City Lit, Regents University, Rose Bruford, Brunel, Royal College of Music, and has led training programmes for the corporate sector. She is also currently acting teacher at The Bridge Theatre Training Co.
Cara is multi-talented artist: a performer, writer, theatre, audio, film and TV maker, with many years experience as an Acting Coach in Adult Ed. She runs playful and engaging sessions blending voice, movement, improvisation, and text. Her unique approach draws on Stanislavski, Chekov, Hagen, LeCoq, Johnstone and Gaulier. She has a gift for running a good room, where participants feel safe, and supported, finding courage to create, collaborate and explore. In 2023/24, Cara was Artist in Residence at Morley College, where, with Sophie Trott, she developed the dressing room comedy ‘The Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg’, based on rival Covent Garden actresses Kitty Clive and Peg Woffington. This played to packed houses at the Hen and Chickens Theatre in Jan 2024. They are in the process of producing a tour of the show in 2024, starting at Proteus Theatre, Basingstoke, where they will be associate artists in 2025. TV & Audio credits: 'Hendrix and Handel' (Sky Arts), 'How To Burn A Million Quid' (BBC Sounds), 'Ready Player Marx' (BBC Radio 4) Qualifications: PGCE in Drama (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama), BA HonsEnglish and Drama (U of Bristol)
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/acting-beginners146220Acting: beginnershttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-beginners-1024.jpg299299GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Acting/Courses/Top rated courses/Courses/vm/Summer offers228513141315132316621361412285131413151653Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">This is an online interactive course which will introduce you to the craft of acting. Through a series of warm ups and practical exercises you will develop your creativity and find the freedom to act in a friendly and supportive environment. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.</div>394.8326109Acting: beginners199199https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-beginners-1024_14.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetNo longer available5-10 weeksWeekday2025-07-08T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJul 2025Performing artsDRB013199199Acting: beginners199139199Lawrence Lambertacting-beginners/drb013-2425Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.0015-FullStillOpen|2025-07-08 00:00:00Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.• Drama games and group exercises<br/>• Improvisation and scene work<br/>• Character work<br/>• Performing truthfully and believably <br/>• Text work. <br />
<br />
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.<p>• Work collaboratively and confidently with others.<br/>• Present yourself confidently in the space.<br/>• Develop and play character<br/>• Prepare and perform a short scene and/or monologue depending on the length and duration of the course.</p><p>You can enrol onto Acting: improvers; Improvisation or one of our Stanislavski courses.</p>Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can relax and move freely in. A notebook and pen is useful.virtual1181176Acting: beginners299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-beginners-1024_111.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekend2025-09-21T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2025Performing artsDRB003299299Acting: beginners299209299Deirdre Strath Clydeacting-beginners/drb003-2526Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.0000-Available|2025-09-21 00:00:00Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.• Drama games and group exercises<br/>• Improvisation and scene work<br/>• Character work<br/>• Performing truthfully and believably <br/>• Text work. <br />
<br />
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.<p>• Work collaboratively and confidently with others.<br/>• Present yourself confidently in the space.<br/>• Develop and play character<br/>• Prepare and perform a short scene and/or monologue depending on the length and duration of the course.</p><p>You can enrol onto Acting: improvers; Improvisation or one of our Stanislavski courses.</p>Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can relax and move freely in. A notebook and pen is useful.virtual1181188Acting: beginners319319https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-beginners-1024_112.jpgInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2025-09-26T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2025Performing artsDRB004319319Acting: beginners319223319Lawrence Lambertacting-beginners/drb004-2526Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.0000-Available|2025-09-26 00:00:00Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.• Drama games and group exercises<br/>• Improvisation and scene work<br/>• Character work<br/>• Performing truthfully and believably <br/>• Text work. <br />
<br />
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.<p>• Work collaboratively and confidently with others.<br/>• Present yourself confidently in the space.<br/>• Develop and play character<br/>• Prepare and perform a short scene and/or monologue depending on the length and duration of the course.</p><p>You can enrol onto Acting: improvers; Improvisation or one of our Stanislavski courses.</p>Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can relax and move freely in. A notebook and pen is useful.virtual1181197Acting: beginners299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-beginners-1024_113.jpgInStockEveningWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2025-10-01T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersOct 2025Performing artsDRB005299299Acting: beginners299209299Sean Croftacting-beginners/drb005-2526Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.0000-Available|2025-10-01 00:00:00Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.• Drama games and group exercises<br/>• Improvisation and scene work<br/>• Character work<br/>• Performing truthfully and believably <br/>• Text work. <br />
<br />
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.<p>• Work collaboratively and confidently with others.<br/>• Present yourself confidently in the space.<br/>• Develop and play character<br/>• Prepare and perform a short scene and/or monologue depending on the length and duration of the course.</p><p>You can enrol onto Acting: improvers; Improvisation or one of our Stanislavski courses.</p>Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can relax and move freely in. A notebook and pen is useful.virtual1181209Acting: beginners299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-beginners-1024_110.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2025-09-15T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2025Performing artsDRB010299299Acting: beginners239209299Deirdre Strath Clydeacting-beginners/drb010-2526Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.0000-Available|2025-09-15 00:00:00Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.• Drama games and group exercises<br/>• Improvisation and scene work<br/>• Character work<br/>• Performing truthfully and believably <br/>• Text work. <br />
<br />
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.<p>• Work collaboratively and confidently with others.<br/>• Present yourself confidently in the space.<br/>• Develop and play character<br/>• Prepare and perform a short scene and/or monologue depending on the length and duration of the course.</p><p>You can enrol onto Acting: improvers; Improvisation or one of our Stanislavski courses.</p>Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can relax and move freely in. A notebook and pen is useful.virtual1181218Acting: beginners199199https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-beginners-1024_114.jpgInStockEveningTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2025-10-28T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersOct 2025Performing artsDRB015199199Acting: beginners199139199Juliet Pragueacting-beginners/drb015-2526Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.0000-Available|2025-10-28 00:00:00Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.• Drama games and group exercises<br/>• Improvisation and scene work<br/>• Character work<br/>• Performing truthfully and believably <br/>• Text work. <br />
<br />
Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.<p>• Work collaboratively and confidently with others.<br/>• Present yourself confidently in the space.<br/>• Develop and play character<br/>• Prepare and perform a short scene and/or monologue depending on the length and duration of the course.</p><p>You can enrol onto Acting: improvers; Improvisation or one of our Stanislavski courses.</p>Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can relax and move freely in. A notebook and pen is useful.virtual2729837Acting: beginners299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/c/acting-beginners-1024_115.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJan 2026Performing artsDRB011299299Acting: beginners239209299Cara Jenningsacting-beginners/drb011-2526Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.0000-Available|2026-01-12 00:00:00Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.• Drama games and group exercises<br/>• Improvisation and scene work<br/>• Character work<br/>• Performing truthfully and believably <br/>• Text work.<p>• Work collaboratively and confidently with others.<br/>• Present yourself confidently in the space.<br/>• Develop and play character<br/>• Prepare and perform a short scene and/or monologue depending on the length and duration of the course.</p><p>You can enrol onto Acting: improvers; Improvisation or one of our Stanislavski courses.</p>Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can relax and move freely in. A notebook and pen is useful.virtual199,299,319,239199,299,319139,209,223DRB013,DRB003,DRB004,DRB005,DRB010,DRB015,DRB011NONETue,Sun,Fri,Wed,Mon15/09/25 - 24/11/2514:00 - 16:0014:0016:0011 sessions (over 11 weeks)115-10 weeks,11 weeks or longerEvening,DaytimeWeekday,WeekendKSKeeley StreetLawrence Lambert,Deirdre Strath Clyde,Sean Croft,Juliet Prague,Cara JenningsBeginnersNo longer available,Available courses2025-07-08T00:00:00+00:00,2025-09-21T00:00:00+00:00,2025-09-26T00:00:00+00:00,2025-10-01T00:00:00+00:00,2025-09-15T00:00:00+00:00,2025-10-28T00:00:00+00:00,2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2025,Sep 2025,Oct 2025,Jan 2026Performing arts199199,299,319Acting: beginnersacting-beginners/drb013-2425,acting-beginners/drb003-2526,acting-beginners/drb004-2526,acting-beginners/drb005-2526,acting-beginners/drb010-2526,acting-beginners/drb015-2526,acting-beginners/drb011-2526Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.0000-Available|2025-09-15 00:00:00Explore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.• Drama games and group exercises&lt;br/&gt;• Improvisation and scene work&lt;br/&gt;• Character work&lt;br/&gt;• Performing truthfully and believably &lt;br/&gt;• Text work. &lt;br /&gt;
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Please note that acting classes by their very nature can involve exercises and the exploration of material that some students may find challenging.,• Drama games and group exercises&lt;br/&gt;• Improvisation and scene work&lt;br/&gt;• Character work&lt;br/&gt;• Performing truthfully and believably &lt;br/&gt;• Text work.&lt;p&gt;• Work collaboratively and confidently with others.&lt;br/&gt;• Present yourself confidently in the space.&lt;br/&gt;• Develop and play character&lt;br/&gt;• Prepare and perform a short scene and/or monologue depending on the length and duration of the course.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can enrol onto Acting: improvers; Improvisation or one of our Stanislavski courses.&lt;/p&gt;Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you can relax and move freely in. A notebook and pen is useful.configurable
13231315Actinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/acting-and-theatre/acting1/2/285/1314/1315/13231/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Acting