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Introduction to Acting

Be ready for any audition and develop your overall creativity as you learn more about the art of acting.

3,180 enrolled on this course

A wooden stage floor with tall dark red draping curtains either side looking out into a dark audience of blurry people and spotlights.

Introduction to Acting

3,180 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Learn to approach your acting in both a structured and creative way

If you’d like to become an actor, or are interested in the self-knowledge that comes with acting, this three-week course from Luleå University of Technology is for you.

You’ll work through the fundamental challenges that actors face, and get a basic foundation in the craft of acting. By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to study acting further, having taken your creativity to new heights.

Learn the basic principles of acting

This course starts with the fundamentals of acting. You’ll analyse scenes from the point of view of the actor, and explore some of the key elements to a spontaneous delivery.

You’ll also have the chance to review and reflect on the work of other actors, gaining more insight into what creates an organic performance.

Hone your unique artistic instincts

Once you’re familiar with the general basics of acting, this course will become like your own personal acting coach. The activities will show you how to listen to your scene partner and understand your character’s objectives and relationships.

You’ll see how to use characters’ actions and behaviours to break down a scene, approach the rehearsal process, and ultimately deliver an authentic performance. Most importantly, you’ll get to immediately apply what you learn to a role of your own.

Approach acting and overall creativity in a structured, productive way

The lead educator is an experienced acting coach and, with the support of Luleå University of Technology, will help you develop ways of working to put your focus outside of yourself and, in the process, learn more about the character you’re playing.

Whether you’re starting your journey to becoming the best actor you can be or looking to nourish your creative spirit, you can be sure that your art and creativity will be improved through this course.

Skip to 0 minutes and 20 seconds I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything else. Ever since I was really young, six or seven years old– –I’ve just loved the theatre and everything about it. And even when I’ve briefly imagined another career– –as a lawyer or a scientist or a politician or a pilot– –I’ve soon realized that the idea has usually come from a movie I’ve just seen– –or a TV-show. And what I really want is to pretend to have that job.

Skip to 0 minutes and 47 seconds Acting and the movies and the theatre has always been my passion. And judging by the number of applicants our acting schools receive each year– –I know I’m not alone in this.

Skip to 0 minutes and 58 seconds We now live in a time when we see more acting– –and so, observe more actors at work than any time before in history– –in movies, TV-shows and plays.

Skip to 1 minute and 7 seconds And one question we might ask ourselves is:– –What are they all doing? Or, what is it that we do when we act?

Skip to 1 minute and 16 seconds My name is Johan Forslund. And I’m a senior lecturer in acting at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden. As a teacher I have often thought that– –everything worth saying about acting really can be said in one afternoon. And the rest of our 3-year candidate program is applying these few ideas– –over and over again. And, in the process learn from your own experiences. This course is an attempt to share with you that first afternoon.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The Foundation

    • Introduction

      This activity introduces the course and the teacher, explains how the learning community can help you learn more effectively, presents an outline of the course's content and gives you the chance to introduce yourself.

    • Studying Acting

      This activity looks at some of the first challenges we face as actors and discusses the idea of an acting method. It also presents a historical overview of the modern acting theories that have inspired this course.

    • First Principles

      This activity looks into the definition of acting. It examines the reality of doing and the important concept of listening and answering. You are also asked to choose a text that you are going to work on throughout the course.

  • Week 2

    The Situation

    • Building blocks

      This activity introduces the building blocks of the dramatic situation. It also talks about how to think about each of these elements when acting.

    • Making Choices

      In this activity you will start working on the scene you’ve chosen for this course. The first thing is to make specific choices about all the different elements that make up your imaginary circumstances.

    • Observations

      This activity hold a summary of what you've learned so far. You will also be asked to observe the work of other actors and try to break down the different aspects of a performance that we’ve discussed in the first two weeks.

  • Week 3

    The Words

    • The Script

      This activity is all about how to work more actively with the words of the scene. To start looking at not just what you’re doing, but how you’re doing it.

    • The Performance

      What are some key elements to a relaxed and spontaneous performance? In this activity you will be provided with some last tips before going on stage.

    • Opening Night

      In this final activity you will get one more chance to reflect on what you've learned. You will also receive some final thoughts on where to go from here and some ideas on how to proceed with your studies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify some basic acting principles and concepts.
  • Apply the principles discussed during the course on your own work with a role.
  • Reflect on the work of other actors and what makes an organic performance.
  • Evaluate a scene from a play from the point of view of the actor.
  • Develop a way of working that is focused on what you do rather than on yourself.
  • Explore some key elements to a relaxed and spontaneous performance.
  • Investigate how you can approach your acting in a structured and creative way.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in the art of acting, including current students, those looking into studying, professional actors who want to review the basics, and individuals who want to learn more about the acting process.

Who will you learn with?

I'm a Senior Lecturer in Acting at the Luleå University of Technology, and an actor trained at The Neighbourhood Playhouse - School of the Theatre, New York, and the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts

Who developed the course?

Luleå University of Technology

The Luleå University of Technology mission is to shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results. Located in the arctic region, the university creates global societal benefit.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 18 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

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