Foundation Course in Acting 2026-7
Our Foundation Course in Acting is the first year of our two-year part-time acting programme. You apply initially for the Foundation Year, at the end of which you can apply for the second year Advanced Performance Course.
Applications for the 2026/27 course are now open. Read the information below and when you're ready, click here to apply.
Who is the course for?
This is a part-time course for those who want to take acting seriously, work hard and develop their craft. You do not need prior experience or training, just enthusiasm and potential.
Our classes are held on weekday evenings and weekends, allowing you to attend while in full-time work or education. Each week you’ll take specialised classes in Acting, Body in Performance, and Voice & Speech.
Our Foundation Course in Acting is aimed at those who want to either go on to pursue a professional career, act at The Questors Theatre, or simply develop their acting talent. Many students who complete the course go on to full-time drama schools and become Questors acting members.
The course receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from students (see their testimonials here), and is recommended by tutors at many leading drama schools.
"My time at Questors was invaluable to me, the course was a fundamental step on my path to drama school. I am now a professional actor and always remember my time on Mattock Lane with such love and happiness." Jasmin Hinds
Why study at The Questors Theatre?
Learn in an active theatre
A unique feature of the course is that you will learn to act in the environment of a working theatre which produces 15-20 professional-standard productions each year, the only part-time course in the UK to offer this.
Benefits include:
- Getting involved backstage in productions
- Watching productions for free and meeting the cast
- Getting to know actors and directors in our main company
Develop as part of a group
You will learn to act as a member of a group of like-minded, creative and equally dedicated students. We believe that you can develop your talent more successfully by working in a group, giving mutual support and encouragement, than you can by taking individual tuition.
You will learn to act as a member of a group of like-minded, creative and equally dedicated students. We believe that you can develop your talent more successfully by working in a group, giving mutual support and encouragement, than you can by taking individual tuition.
Dedicated tutors
You will have dedicated tutors throughout the year. The course is an integrated whole – no short modules with different tutors. You will have weekly classes in three disciplines: Acting, Body and Movement, and Voice and Speech. Read more about our tutors here.
Opportunity to advance
While the Foundation Course can be taken on its own, on completion of the course you will have the opportunity to progress onto the Advanced Performance Course, where you will have the chance to put into practice all you have learned by acting in two full-scale productions at The Questors Theatre.
While the Foundation Course can be taken on its own, on completion of the course you will have the opportunity to progress onto the Advanced Performance Course, where you will have the chance to put into practice all you have learned by acting in two full-scale productions at The Questors Theatre.
Additional Benefits
- 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.
Dates and times
Terms
Spring: 9 January to 20 March 2027
Summer: 3 April to 17 July 2027
Class Timetable
Classes are held at The Questors Theatre in one of our large rehearsal rooms. There are three classes each week:
Acting on Saturdays 3.15 - 6.30pm.
Body and Movement on Tuesdays 7.15 - 8.35pm.
Voice and Speech either on Tuesdays 8.45 - 10.05pm or Thursdays 7.15 - 8.30pm (half the group on each day).
Fees
Foundation Course:
£375 per term in advance
£405 if paying in monthly instalments (£135 per month)
£1,075 if paying for the whole year in advance.Financial support may be available, enquire about Scholarships & Bursaries.
Course level
Equivalent to first year undergraduate.
The minimum age is 18 years. Although most students are aged 18-30 you can be accepted at any age.
Course level
Equivalent to first year undergraduate.Entry requirements
Prior training in acting is not necessary. All applicants will be invited to attend an audition and interview where you can demonstrate your acting potential and commitment.The minimum age is 18 years. Although most students are aged 18-30 you can be accepted at any age.
How to apply
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.
When you're ready to apply, fill in the application form here.
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.
What can I do after this course?
The majority of students who complete the Foundation Course in Acting apply for the Advanced Performance Course, to further develop their skills in acting in front of public audiences in our working theatre.Recent graduates have also gained places at RADA, Guildhall, LAMDA, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and most other leading drama schools. Others have gone on to careers on stage and screen.
Many
graduates join our theatre company and act in Questors productions
performed in our Judi Dench Playhouse and Studio Theatre.
