Year 1

FOUNDATION COURSE IN ACTING

Build the bedrock of your technique. A one-year intensive part-time course focused on the fundamental pillars of acting.

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About the course

The Foundation Course is an intensive introduction to the discipline of acting. Affectionately known as the first half of “The Student Group,” this year is dedicated to stripping away habits and discovering a robust, repeatable technique. You will be pushed out of your comfort zone in a supportive, professional environment, surrounded by a cohort of like-minded, committed students.

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Why join this course?

Choosing where to train is the first major decision in an actor’s career. At The Questors Theatre, we offer more than just classes; we provide a theatrical home. We are the only part-time programme in the UK completely integrated into a working theatre, ensuring that every minute of your training is rooted in the reality of the stage.

  • A Working Theatre Environment: You aren’t training in a sterile classroom. You are based in a working theatre that produces over 18 shows a year, giving you an immediate, “real-world” context for your craft
  • A Proven Professional Path: We don’t just teach acting; we build careers. Our structured two-year progression is designed to give you Spotlight and Equity eligibility and the skills to take the next step
  • Industry-Active Faculty: Our tutors don’t just teach, they work. Learn from practitioners with active credits in the West End, RSC, and major TV/Film productions
  • Socialise with the Questors community at our members bar, The Grapevine
  • Free tickets to Questors productions through the year (except the pantomime)
  • Whilst you won’t be able to perform in Questors productions during the course, when you graduate you will automatically become an acting member, eligible to audition for our main productions
  • Equity Membership – you will be eligible to join Equity as a student member
  • Spotlight – after completing the two year programme, you will be eligible to join Spotlight

What our students say

The Questors Student Group is probably the best thing that could have happened to me as someone always wanted to be an actor but didn’t know where to start. Since I graduated, I’ve been on TV, appeared in movies and co-wrote my own play which was performed at the Questors. All that would never have happened without the Student Group. I owe it everything.

Wesley Lloyd, Group 62

Who is it for?

We look for potential and passion over a polished resume. Our students are a mix of aspiring professionals preparing for drama school, career-changers seeking a rigorous creative outlet, and dedicated performers looking to strip away old habits. If you are 18+, collaborative, and ready to commit to a professional rehearsal room environment, you’ll find your tribe here.

What You Will Cover

  • Acting Technique: Transition from “playing a part” to “living a life.” Explore improvisation, characterisation, and text analysis
  • Voice & Speech: Develop your vocal power and clarity. Learn to use your voice as a precision instrument for the stage
  • Body & Movement: Ground your performance in physical reality. Focus on presence, posture, and physical storytelling
View full syllabus

WHAT CAN I DO AFTER THIS COURSE?

The majority of students who complete the Foundation Course in Acting progress to the Advanced Performance Course, to further develop their skills in acting.

Find out more about the Advanced Course

 

Recent graduates have also gained places at RADA, Guildhall, LAMDA, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and other leading drama schools, and go on to careers on stage and screen.
Many graduates join The Questors Theatre Company and perform in our in-house productions.

Fees & Funding

We offer several ways to manage the cost of your professional training:

Payment Option Cost Details
Monthly £135 per month Paid in advance of each month. 9 months in total.
Termly £375 per term Paid in advance of each term. 3 terms in total.
Yearly £1,075 per year Pay upfront for the year and save £50.

Bursaries & Scholarships

Support is available from the Nevile and Julie Cruttenden Fund and the Alfred Emmet Bursary. These can cover a portion or the entirety of your fees.

You can apply for a scholarship or bursary once you are accepted onto the course. In the meantime do not put off applying because you are worried about whether you can pay the fees. We will always try to help if you are successful.

Weekly Timetable

Tuesdays
7:15pm – 8:35pm (Movement) | 8:45pm – 10:05pm (Voice - half the group)
Thursdays
7:15pm-8:35pm (Voice - half the group)
Saturdays
3:15pm – 6:30pm (Acting)

2026/27 Term Dates

Autumn Term
26 September – 19 December 2026 (12 Weeks)
Spring Term
9 January – 20 March 2027 (10 Weeks)
Summer Term
3 April – 17 July 2027 (16 Weeks)

Our Faculty

You won’t just learn from teachers; you’ll learn from practitioners. Our tutors are directors, actors, and designers currently working at the highest levels of the industry, from the Royal Shakespeare Company to the West End. They bring real-world experience from the stage and screen directly into the rehearsal room.

David Emmet

Director of Studies; Acting Tutor, Foundation Course in Acting

David is a hugely experienced director and acting tutor at The Questors Theatre. After training on the Foundation Course and the Advanced Performance Course, he acted and directed at The Questors and developed courses for young adults. He moved on to become the Acting Tutor on the Foundation Course in 1982 and took over as Director of Studies from Alfred Emmet, the founder of the course, in 1983, since when he has guided and trained the students in 42 Groups. He is the author of all the teaching materials used on the acting course and has directed over 60 productions at The Questors Theatre.

Russell Fleet

Tutor

Russell trained as an actor in the mid-90s at The Actors Institute, sadly no longer with us, but an amazing experience.  After working for some years in professional theatre with varying degrees of success, he left to do other things, returning to the theatre at The Questors in 2006. He is now firmly established as a director, actor, stage manager and sound designer having worked on in excess of 60 shows in various capacities. In 2014 he obtained a Masters in Actor Training and Coaching from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

How do I apply?

Foundation Course Application Form

We audition and interview everyone who applies. We want to assess your talent and commitment and find out what your experience is. It doesn’t matter if you have no experience at all if you have the potential and the right attitude.

Step 1 - Application Form

When you’re ready to apply, fill in the application form.

Application Form

Step 2 - Audition

To audition, you will be asked to prepare and perform two short, contrasting pieces. You will also be asked to act in an impromptu scene. The main audition period will be between 29th August and 13th September 2026. Some applicants will be invited to return for a second audition in the evening of Tuesday 15th September.

Step 3

After your audition, you will be notified and if successful, we will sign you up for the course and arrange your payments.

Related training & classes

Advanced Performance Course

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Acting course, you can apply for the Advanced course.

Find out more

Masterclasses

If you are looking to hone specific skills or try something new, check out our theatre masterclasses.

View Classes

Beginners Acting For All Course

If you are new to acting and want to build your skills without an audition, try our Acting For All course.

Explore Course