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From First Line to Final Bow – Master the Art of Acting

Acting classes

Acting Beginners Course

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Start your acting journey with our popular Acting Beginners Course.

Whether you're looking to boost confidence, express yourself creatively or take that first step towards a career in the industry - Acting Beginners is the place to start.

In this dynamic course you will learn the fundamentals of acting as you embody unique characters in an encouraging group setting. Explore and develop your talents as you dissect what makes a great story and learn to bring characters to life - as only you can.

Your industry tutor will create a supportive space for you to experiment, have fun, and connect with your fellow actors. No pressure and absolutely no previous acting experience is necessary - the course is designed for those new to the craft.

What You’ll Learn

Each class is designed to help you grow in confidence and develop key performance skills through active, hands-on learning. You’ll cover:

  • Group exercises and drama games to build trust and teamwork with other actors
  • Improvisation techniques to help you think on your feet and explore spontaneity
  • Core acting methods and tools used by professional actors
  • Vocal and physical exercises to improve presence and clarity
  • Techniques for developing believable, engaging characters
  • Rehearsing and performing scenes from plays in a safe and constructive setting

You’ll also begin to understand how to interpret text, connect emotionally with a character, and use your body and voice to support the story.

Benefits of taking this course

Acting has a lot to offer, both on and off the stage. This course is about more than just learning lines; it’s about discovering what you’re capable of in a supportive, playful space. Here’s what you’ll gain along the way:

  • Boost Your Confidence: Discover how freeing and empowering it can be to speak and move in front of others
  • Improve Communication Skills: Learn to listen, respond, and express yourself more clearly
  • Explore Your Creativity: Use acting as a creative outlet in a relaxed and judgement-free environment
  • Connect With Others: Meet like-minded people and work collaboratively through shared exercises and performance
  • Lay the Groundwork: Build a solid foundation for more advanced acting classes or future performance opportunities

 

🙂
Group exercises and drama games
Break the ice, build confidence, and connect with your fellow actors through playful, collaborative activities that build trust and group chemistry.
🎭
Think on your feet
Learn to stay present, respond in the moment, and unleash your spontaneity with guided improvisation exercises that encourage freedom and creativity.
🎓
Techniques used by professionals
Discover essential methods and approaches to acting – from Stanislavski to modern techniques – that help you bring characters to life with truth and intention.
⚙️
Voice and Body Language Skills
Use vocal and physical exercises to explore clarity, projection, breath control and body awareness – essential tools for any performer.

Useful Information

1
Do I need any acting experience to join?
Not at all. This course is designed specifically for beginners. Whether you're completely new to acting or returning after a break, you'll be supported from day one.
2
What should I wear to class?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. No special costumes or equipment are required.
3
What if I’m nervous or shy?
That’s totally normal! Many people join this course to overcome stage fright or build confidence. The atmosphere is friendly, and many exercises are designed to help you feel relaxed and supported.
4
Can I take this course again?
Absolutely. Many students repeat the course to continue building confidence and deepen their skills before moving on to the next level.
5
What’s next after this course?
If you’d like to keep going, you can audition for our longer beginner-level course:
The Debut Theatre Company, which culminates in a live studio performance to an invited audience.

Excited to get started?

Professional actor and City Academy tutor Phoebe Sparrow has shared her 10 top tips for beginners starting their acting journey.

Benefits of taking this course

Acting has a lot to offer, both on and off the stage. This course is about more than just learning lines; it’s about discovering what you’re capable of in a supportive, playful space. Here’s what you’ll gain along the way:

 

Boost Your Confidence
Discover how freeing and empowering it can be to speak and move in front of others
Improve Communication Skills
Learn to listen, respond, and express yourself more clearly
🛡
Explore Your Creativity
Use acting as a creative outlet in a relaxed and judgement-free environment
Connect With Others
Meet like-minded people and work collaboratively through shared exercises and performance
Lay the Groundwork
Build a solid foundation for more advanced acting classes or future performance opportunities

Other Acting Beginners Options

Interested in attending a different course? We have a range of other Beginners level courses within the department.

Acting Summer School

Our Acting Summer School offers a wide range of acting masterclasses and workshops from screen acting and Shakespeare across five full days of tuition.

FIND OUT MORE
Acting Summer School

Screen Acting Summer School

Learn about camera technique, casting types, character building, audition technique, monologue and duologue work, and about the industry and getting work in our Screen Acting Simmer school.

FIND OUT MORE
Screen Acting Summer School

Browse Courses

You can filter Courses by month and tutor

Date Day Time (BST) Duration Tutor Venue Price Booking
13 Jun 2026 - 18 Jul 2026
Sat
12:30-14:30
6 weeks
Samuel Keefe
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
19 Jun 2026 - 24 Jul 2026
Fri
18:10-20:10
6 weeks
Adam Hypki
City Academy, Farringdon
£212.50
15% OFF
21 Jun 2026 - 12 Jul 2026
Sun
10:00-13:00
4 weeks
Morgan Watkins
City Academy, Farringdon
£212.50
15% OFF
28 Jun 2026 - 02 Aug 2026
Sun
10:30-12:30
6 weeks
Warren Rusher
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
04 Jul 2026 - 05 Jul 2026
Sat
10:00-16:30
2 days (Saturday & Sunday)
David Blair
City Academy, Farringdon
£225.00
Saturday 4 July & Sunday 5 July
09 Jul 2026 - 10 Sep 2026
Thu
18:30-19:45
10 weeks
Alasdair Hankinson
WAC Arts
£250.00
11 Jul 2026 - 15 Aug 2026
Sat
10:00-12:00
6 weeks
Scott Sparrow
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
20 Jul 2026 - 24 Aug 2026
Mon
18:15-20:15
6 weeks
Scott Sparrow
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
23 Jul 2026 - 27 Aug 2026
Thu
19:30-21:30
6 weeks
Ashley Scott Layton
The Tabernacle
£250.00
09 Aug 2026 - 13 Sep 2026
Sun
12:30-14:30
6 weeks
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
12 Aug 2026 - 16 Sep 2026
Wed
18:30-20:30
6 weeks
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
21 Aug 2026 - 25 Sep 2026
Fri
18:20-20:20
6 weeks
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
22 Aug 2026 - 26 Sep 2026
Sat
10:00-12:00
6 weeks
Karina Fernandez
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
29 Aug 2026 - 30 Aug 2026
Sat
10:00-16:30
2 days
City Academy, Farringdon
£225.00
10 Sep 2026 - 15 Oct 2026
Thu
19:30-21:30
6 weeks
Ashley Scott Layton
The Tabernacle
£250.00
19 Sep 2026 - 20 Sep 2026
Sat
10:00-16:30
2 days (Saturday and Sunday)
Annette Flynn
City Academy, Farringdon
£225.00
03 Oct 2026 - 07 Nov 2026
Sat
10:00-12:00
6 weeks
Karina Fernandez
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
29 Oct 2026 - 03 Dec 2026
Thu
19:30-21:30
6 weeks
Ashley Scott Layton
The Tabernacle
£250.00
31 Oct 2026 - 01 Nov 2026
Sat
10:00-16:30
2 days
Annette Flynn
City Academy, Farringdon
£225.00
06 Nov 2026 - 11 Dec 2026
Fri
18:30-20:30
6 weeks
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
14 Nov 2026 - 19 Dec 2026
Sat
10:00-12:00
6 weeks
Karina Fernandez
City Academy, Farringdon
£250.00
21 Nov 2026 - 22 Nov 2026
Sat
10:00-16:30
2 days (Saturday and Sunday)
City Academy, Farringdon
£225.00
19 Dec 2026 - 20 Dec 2026
Sat
10:00-16:30
2 days (Saturday and Sunday)
Annette Flynn
City Academy, Farringdon
£225.00
13
Jun
13 Jun 2026 - 18 Jul 2026
£250.00
Day:Sat
Time:12:30-14:30
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Samuel Keefe
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
19
Jun
19 Jun 2026 - 24 Jul 2026
£212.50
Day:Fri
Time:18:10-20:10
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Adam Hypki
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
Offer:15% OFF
21
Jun
21 Jun 2026 - 12 Jul 2026
£212.50
Day:Sun
Time:10:00-13:00
Duration:4 weeks
Tutor: Morgan Watkins
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
Offer:15% OFF
28
Jun
28 Jun 2026 - 02 Aug 2026
£250.00
Day:Sun
Time:10:30-12:30
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Warren Rusher
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
04
Jul
04 Jul 2026 - 05 Jul 2026
£225.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:2 days (Saturday & Sunday)
Tutor: David Blair
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
Saturday 4 July & Sunday 5 July
09
Jul
09 Jul 2026 - 10 Sep 2026
£250.00
Day:Thu
Time:18:30-19:45
Duration:10 weeks
Tutor: Alasdair Hankinson
Venue: WAC Arts
11
Jul
11 Jul 2026 - 15 Aug 2026
£250.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-12:00
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Scott Sparrow
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
20
Jul
20 Jul 2026 - 24 Aug 2026
£250.00
Day:Mon
Time:18:15-20:15
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Scott Sparrow
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
23
Jul
23 Jul 2026 - 27 Aug 2026
£250.00
Day:Thu
Time:19:30-21:30
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Ashley Scott Layton
Venue: The Tabernacle
09
Aug
09 Aug 2026 - 13 Sep 2026
£250.00
Day:Sun
Time:12:30-14:30
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Acting Tutors
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
12
Aug
12 Aug 2026 - 16 Sep 2026
£250.00
Day:Wed
Time:18:30-20:30
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Acting Tutors
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
21
Aug
21 Aug 2026 - 25 Sep 2026
£250.00
Day:Fri
Time:18:20-20:20
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Acting Tutors
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
22
Aug
22 Aug 2026 - 26 Sep 2026
£250.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-12:00
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Karina Fernandez
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
29
Aug
29 Aug 2026 - 30 Aug 2026
£225.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:2 days
Tutor: Acting Tutors
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
10
Sep
10 Sep 2026 - 15 Oct 2026
£250.00
Day:Thu
Time:19:30-21:30
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Ashley Scott Layton
Venue: The Tabernacle
19
Sep
19 Sep 2026 - 20 Sep 2026
£225.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:2 days (Saturday and Sunday)
Tutor: Annette Flynn
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
03
Oct
03 Oct 2026 - 07 Nov 2026
£250.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-12:00
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Karina Fernandez
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
29
Oct
29 Oct 2026 - 03 Dec 2026
£250.00
Day:Thu
Time:19:30-21:30
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Ashley Scott Layton
Venue: The Tabernacle
31
Oct
31 Oct 2026 - 01 Nov 2026
£225.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:2 days
Tutor: Annette Flynn
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
06
Nov
06 Nov 2026 - 11 Dec 2026
£250.00
Day:Fri
Time:18:30-20:30
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Acting Tutors
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
14
Nov
14 Nov 2026 - 19 Dec 2026
£250.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-12:00
Duration:6 weeks
Tutor: Karina Fernandez
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
21
Nov
21 Nov 2026 - 22 Nov 2026
£225.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:2 days (Saturday and Sunday)
Tutor: Acting Tutors
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon
19
Dec
19 Dec 2026 - 20 Dec 2026
£225.00
Day:Sat
Time:10:00-16:30
Duration:2 days (Saturday and Sunday)
Tutor: Annette Flynn
Venue: City Academy, Farringdon

Other Acting Beginners Options

Interested in attending a different course? We have a range of other Beginners level courses within the department.

Acting Summer School

Our Acting Summer School offers a wide range of acting masterclasses and workshops from screen acting and Shakespeare across five full days of tuition.

FIND OUT MORE
Acting Summer School

Screen Acting Summer School

Learn about camera technique, casting types, character building, audition technique, monologue and duologue work, and about the industry and getting work in our Screen Acting Simmer school.

FIND OUT MORE
Screen Acting Summer School
City Academy, Farringdon
City Academy, Farringdon
Closest Station: Farringdon
Closest Bus Stop: Hatton Garden
WAC Arts
WAC Arts
Closest Station: Belsize Park
Closest Bus Stop: Finchley Road Station
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle
Closest Station: Westbourne Park / Notting Hill Gate
Closest Bus Stop: Brunel Estate

Other Acting Beginners Options

Interested in attending a different course? We have a range of other Beginners level courses within the department.

Acting Summer School

Our Acting Summer School offers a wide range of acting masterclasses and workshops from screen acting and Shakespeare across five full days of tuition.

FIND OUT MORE
Acting Summer School

Screen Acting Summer School

Learn about camera technique, casting types, character building, audition technique, monologue and duologue work, and about the industry and getting work in our Screen Acting Simmer school.

FIND OUT MORE
Screen Acting Summer School

All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.

Samuel Keefe
Samuel Keefe
Adam Hypki
Adam Hypki
Morgan Watkins
Morgan Watkins
Warren Rusher
Warren Rusher
David Blair
David Blair
👤
Alasdair Hankinson
Scott Sparrow
Scott Sparrow
Ashley Scott Layton
Ashley Scott Layton
Acting Tutors
Acting Tutors
Karina Fernandez
Karina Fernandez
Annette Flynn
Annette Flynn

Other Acting Beginners Options

Interested in attending a different course? We have a range of other Beginners level courses within the department.

Acting Summer School

Our Acting Summer School offers a wide range of acting masterclasses and workshops from screen acting and Shakespeare across five full days of tuition.

FIND OUT MORE
Acting Summer School

Screen Acting Summer School

Learn about camera technique, casting types, character building, audition technique, monologue and duologue work, and about the industry and getting work in our Screen Acting Simmer school.

FIND OUT MORE
Screen Acting Summer School