one year foundation in acting

is Foundation for me?

Foundation is a one-year, part-time acting course for people who want to develop their skills through serious, practical training.

You may be considering professional actor training but feel you need more experience before taking that step. Or you may simply love acting and want to challenge yourself, develop your skills and perform — without necessarily wanting to make acting your career.

Both are equally valid reasons to train.

Throughout the year you'll work on acting technique, voice, movement, singing and text, applying what you learn to rehearsals, projects and public performances.

You'll explore different practitioners and approaches, take risks, make discoveries and begin to build a practical toolbox that works for you as an actor.

For students who want to progress professionally, Foundation can provide a pathway towards our Two-Year Diploma in Acting or further vocational training. Others have used the course to support work in areas such as teaching, directing and other creative disciplines.

You don't have to know where acting is going to take you before you start.

at a glance

One year | Part-time | September to July | 36 teaching weeks

Age: 18+ (16–17 with parental permission)
No upper age limit

Training: Sundays and Monday evenings

Sundays: Up to 6.5 hours, depending on timetable and project
Mondays: 6.45pm–10.00pm

Term 1: 12 weeks
Term 2: 16 weeks
Term 3: 8 weeks

During production weeks, some additional rehearsal or performance calls may be required.

how the year works

Foundation is practical, hands-on actor training. Throughout the year you'll develop skills in Acting Technique, Voice, Movement, Singing and Project, learning how the different elements of an actor's training work together.

You'll explore a range of practitioners, techniques and approaches to acting — including the work of Stanislavski and Michael Chekhov — giving you different ways into a character, a text and a rehearsal process.

Alongside your classes, each term you'll work on a Project, putting the skills you're developing into practice through rehearsal and performance.

Term 1 – Develop

The first 12 weeks focus on developing skills and applying them to project work, culminating in an in-house performance to faculty and an invited audience. It's an opportunity to experiment, take risks and learn through performance in a supportive environment.

Term 2 – Perform

Over 16 weeks, the training develops alongside rehearsals for a full public production in our own Lantern Theatre, directed by a professional director.

The term includes a half-term break and Easter weekend.

Term 3 – Showcase

After a break during Brighton Fringe in May, students return for an intensive final eight weeks.

The year culminates in a public showcase in the Lantern Theatre, bringing together the skills and experience developed throughout the course.

qualification

There is no formal external qualification attached to the Foundation course. Students who successfully complete the year are awarded an ACT Foundation in Acting Certificate.

For students wishing to continue their training, Foundation can provide a pathway towards our Two-Year Diploma in Acting or further vocational actor training.

entry requirements

Foundation is open to students aged 18 and over, with no upper age limit. Applicants aged 16–17 may also be considered with parental permission.

Previous acting experience or training can be useful, but it is not essential. We are interested in your potential, your willingness to learn and your ability to work creatively and supportively with others.

Foundation is a practical and demanding course which reflects the commitment expected in professional actor training. Students are expected to attend regularly and punctually, arrive prepared, work constructively as part of an ensemble and take responsibility for their own development.

how to apply

There are two ways to apply for Foundation:

two week acting intensive

Our preferred route is through the Two Week Acting Intensive.

The Intensive gives you the opportunity to experience the way we train before committing to a year-long course. You'll work with ACT tutors across a range of disciplines, while we get the opportunity to see how you work, respond to training and develop over the two weeks.

At the end of the Intensive you'll receive individual feedback and, where appropriate, an offer of a place on Foundation or another ACT training programme.

audition & interview

If you're unable to attend the Two Week Acting Intensive, you can apply through one of our scheduled audition and interview days.

You'll be asked to prepare two strongly contrasting pieces, each approximately 2–3 minutes long, ideally taken from a published play or film script.

The audition is followed by an informal interview where we'll talk about your experience, your reasons for wanting to train and whether Foundation is the right course for you.

Full preparation guidance is sent to you when you book.

Audition fee: £25

fees

£250 per month

We want the cost of training to be clear from the outset.

Foundation is paid in 11 monthly payments of £250, from August to June. There are no additional tuition or production fees.

A £100 deposit secures your place and is deducted from your first monthly payment.

your fees include

• 36 weeks of practical actor training

• Acting Technique, Voice, Movement and Singing

• Rehearsal and project work throughout the year

• An in-house performance

• A full public production in our own Lantern Theatre

• A final public showcase

• A written progress report each term

• Individual feedback and support throughout your training

• Special discounted student ticket offers for selected shows at the Lantern Theatre

• Eligibility to apply for a TOTUM student discount card

The full course fee is £2,750, spread across the 11 monthly payments above.

Students who withdraw from the course remain liable for fees for the remainder of the current term.

Course fees are reviewed annually.