What you'll study
This course offers a one-year introductory course to the skills associated with theatre acting. More specifically, it is tailored to those wanting to learn about the craft of acting, how to develop your own physical, vocal and imaginative skills, and to explore the dramatic text in performance.
*This course is not recruiting for 2023 entry
A great start for your career
Ideal if you wish to begin the pursuit of acting as a potential career, a rewarding side-line or would like to hone your skills to prepare for auditions
Flexible study model
It runs over 3 terms, each term lasting 12 / 13 weeks. You will attend the college on one evening a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) from 7 pm to 9.30 pm, plus extra rehearsals as required
Teaching staff
Classes are taught by experienced, professional tutors and include visits from outside directors and specialist practitioners to supplement your training
Career destinations
Designed specifically for those who want to learn the craft of acting, develop physical, vocal and imaginative skills, and explore the dramatic text for performance
Course breakdown
This course runs over 3 terms, each term lasting 12 / 13 weeks.
You will attend the college on one evening a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) from 7 pm to 9.30 pm, plus extra rehearsals as required (usually on a Saturday), technical and dress rehearsals and performances as the work demands, totalling approximately 120 hours of contact time.
You will act in APT productions at the end of each term and are expected to watch all other APT productions.
Term 1 Verse and Text
12 weeks from September – December
This term focuses on Individuality. You will be introduced by a series of games (warm ups, trust exercises and improvised scenes) to express and interact freely in performance, and serve to appreciate the strengths of both yourself and your colleagues. You will be required to learn, rehearse and perform both a Verse and Text piece, selected by yourselves, with help from the Tutor. At the end of term you will perform both a Verse and Text piece in front of an invited audience.
You are continually assessed on your progress, in creative, vocal and physical awareness, delivered verbally by the tutor in class. There is no automatic progression into Term 2.
Term 2 Classic Scenes
12 weeks from January – April
This term focuses on Transformation, i.e. becoming someone else. Working on specific scenes from chosen plays, you will research and experiment with analysis, characterisation, performance and direction. At the end of this term you perform in a classic scene.
There is no automatic progression into Term 3
Term 3 Contemporary Play
12 weeks from April – July
This term focuses on the Ensemble. You will be introduced to and expected to rehearse and investigate a contemporary play (written within the last 30 years). You will be given one or two dedicated roles, which you are required to research, rehearse and perform as part of an ensemble to create the world of the play. At the end of term, you will perform this play.
Continuous assessment will be based upon the quality of the character research, in particular, the attention paid to detail, the quality of self-transformation and the embodiment of the given characters. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance after the performances.
There is no automatic progression into Term 4 or 5.
At the sole discretion of the Course Director, students who have shown progress, enthusiasm and a real commitment may be asked back to attend an additional two terms.
Terms 4 and 5 are Preparation for the Profession
You cannot apply for Terms 4 and 5. You are invited to attend only at the discretion of the Course Director. Supported by a series of lectures you will be given information and guidance on becoming a professional actor. Visiting lecturers and practitioners will also be used.
Term 4
12 weeks of the following year from September – December
In Term 4, guided by the Course Director, you will select a contrasting classic monologue and a duologue, which show your strengths. Through group exploration, you will rehearse these (with support from your colleagues) until ready for presentation. At the end of Term 4 you will perform the classic monologues and duologues in a ‘Preview Presentation’ in a Studio Theatre.
Term 5
12 weeks of the following year from January – April
Those invited back for Term 5 will refine their choices for another monologue and duologue, which you will present to the profession. You will perform these to an invited audience of professional practitioners in the ‘Final Presentation’ in the Barn Theatre. Agent, Casting Directors, Producers, Directors and other practitioners are invited to this Final Presentation.
Please note this is a training programme and not an accredited academic programme
Course Director for Acting Part Time; Lecturer of American Theatre Arts
Read their profile Course Director for Acting Part Time; Lecturer of American Theatre Arts
Tony James is the Course Director for the acknowledged APT (Acting Part Time) programme, which has seen over 400 graduates in the past 10 years, many of whom have gone on to highly successful careers within the industry. Tony has also initiated the APTO (Acting Part Time Online) programme, which will see its first intake in September 2021.
Read their full profileStudent Destinations
Shazia Mirza, Sharon Lawrence, Paige Carter, Anyebe Godwin, Martin Langham, Emily Dilworth, Jean Summers, James Lorcan, Malcolm Jeffries and Scott Wickes have all successfully launched acting and performance careers from participating on this programme