Foundation
Acting
Start your acting journey by mastering the fundamentals of acting
Overview
Programme Name
Foundation in Acting
Duration
2 terms (Full time)
Language
English
Programme Leader
Awarded by
Institute of the Arts Barcelona
Preparing aspiring actors with the core fundamental acting skills
Programme availability
- Applications open
Dates for 2025/2026
15 September, 2025 - 27 March, 2026
The Foundation in Acting course is an immersive and dynamic programme designed to equip aspiring actors with the essential skills and knowledge needed to enter a Higher Education / Conservatoire training in Acting, or to embark on a successful career in the performing arts.
Intensive drama training
Our programme offers a comprehensive blend of practical training, theoretical study, creative and performance opportunities, ensuring that students develop both their craft and their confidence. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive learning environment, students are encouraged to explore their creative potential.
Who is aimed at?
This drama course is intended for:
Beginners
Those with little or no prior experience in acting who want to learn the basics of performance, voice, and movement.
Aspiring actors
Individuals who are considering a professional career in acting and want to build a strong foundation before applying for more advanced or specialized training, like drama school or university acting programmes.
Pre-drama school applicants
Students preparing for auditions to drama schools or theatre programs, as foundation courses often cover audition techniques and offer guidance for admission processes.
People exploring a career change
Those who may have had a different career but are passionate about acting and want to test the waters in the industry.
Performers seeking to enhance their skills
Those who have some experience in other forms of performance (e.g., dance, music) but want to branch out into acting.
Our curriculum is developed by leading industry professionals and educators, providing students with a solid grounding in acting practice, voice and singing, movement, critical thinking, and creative practice. Significantly, we help prepare the students for auditions and applications for degree-level training.
foundations
- Sensory Work
- Fundementals of Acting
- Improvisation and development of imagination
- Text analysis
- Introduction to Screen Acting
- Scene study
- Monologue work
Physical training
- Voice and speech
- Singing for Actors
- Fitness and wellbeing
- Movement for Actors
- Physical storytelling
- Dance and Stage combat
thinking
- Academic writing
- Introduction to Theatre and Performance Theory
- Theatre appreciation
- Writing and research skills
- Education and professional opportunities
- Audition technique
- Application, CS and personal statement workshops
- Individual Research Project
- Final Performance
Acting Foundations
- Sensory Work – Sensory awareness and Sense Memory
- Exploration of fundamentals of acting based on the work of Konstantin Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov and Uta Hagen explored through exercises and structured improvisations.
- Improvisation and development of Imagination
- Text Analysis
- Introduction to Screen Acting
- Scene Study
- Monologue Work
Vocal Training
- Voice and Speech – Fundamentals of breath control and support. Exercises for resonance, articulation, and projection. Vocal health.
- Singing for Actors – Basics of vocal music theory. Group singing and solo performances. Integration of singing and acting.
Physical Training
- Fitness and wellbeing for actors.
- Movement for Actors – Basics of physical alignment, balance, and coordination. Introduction to different movement techniques (Alexander Technique, Laban Movement Analysis, Feldenkrais Method). Daily warm-up routines and physical conditioning.
- Physical Storytelling – Exercises in physical storytelling and non-verbal communication. Clowning. Creating and performing short physical pieces.
- Dance and Stage Combat – Basic dance techniques and styles relevant to theatre and training. Introduction to stage combat and safety protocols. Choreographing and performing simple fight scenes.
Critical Thinking
- Academic writing and presentational skills.
- Introduction to Theatre and Performance Theory.
- Theatre Appreciation – review of significant historic and contemporary performances.
- Undertaking writing and research tasks to develop your skills in academic writing and research and how to reference materials accurately, developing your ability to think analytically, logically, reflectively and offer constructive criticism. This will culminate in an Academic Essay and a Reflective Essay which will reflect upon your journey through the course.
Career Planning
- Identification of education/training and professional opportunities.
- Application, CV, and Personal Statement writing workshops.
- Audition technique, material selection and audition practice.
- Preparation of appropriate material for applications and auditions.
Performance
- This module is the culmination of the programme in which you are expected to prepare and perform material in a Acting focused public performance.
*Throughout the programme, students will engage in a variety of workshops, lectures, masterclasses, and sharings of work, gaining invaluable experience and insights into the realities of the acting profession.
*They will also be introduced to the Performing Arts Industry, with Masterclasses with Agents and Casting Directors.
Why study our foundation acting course?
- High quality training from staff teaching on the BA Acting programme
- Cultural exchange and a global perspective
- Added personal growth and experience, and develop independence in a safe and supportive environment
- Improved language skills with interaction with students from many different linguistic backgrounds
- Enhanced Academic experience, learning from an international faculty, will give you a wider range of experience, exposing you to new ways of thinking and different educational experiences, enriching your learning and a wider perspective.
- Lifelong interanational connections – meet and make friends and potentail professioal connections from around the globe.
How to apply
- 1. Submit your application
- 2. Attend the audition
- 3. Wait for the result
1. Submit your application
To apply for our Foundation Acting course, you must submit an application and select which audition you would like to attend.
- BA (Hons) / Foundation Acting
- Wednesday 19 February, 2025
- Online
- Musical Theatre Only
- Wednesday 26 February, 2025
- Online
2. Attend the audtition
What does the audition consist of?
Live Audition and Interview
You will have a 30-minute session with our staff where you will be asked to perform:
- Contemporary monologue
- Classical monologue
- Song (Acapella or with music)
The audition will be followed by an interview.
3. Wait for the result
The audition results can take up to 4 weeks to process.
Our tuition fees are made up of a number of different components and are determined by your nationality, country of residence and programme of study.
ANNUAL TUITION FEES
- €9,900
Additional annual fees:
- €500 – Non-refundable registration fee
- €80 – IAB Health Clinic membership
Fees
ANNUAL TUITION FEES
- €13,900
Additional annual fees:
- €500 – Non-refundable registration fee
- €80 – IAB Health Clinic membership
Successful audition, IELTS 5.5 or equivalent, and have studied at least one year of the national university entry academic qualification or equivalent of your country.
Find out more about our entry requirements.
Our acting alumni can be found in significant stage productions and principal and supporting roles in film and television across major cities around the globe. Additionally, some have established their own production companies and crafted original works. This diverse success attests to the rigorous training and versatile skills gained at our institution.
- Applications open
