Short Courses In Acting
Perform Australia runs a range of short courses in acting and related fields every year, in Canberra.
If you're looking to:
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Upskill in a particular area as a performer
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Try an acting class for the first time
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Explore yourself creatively
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Meet new people
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Experience what it means to take your skills to the stage or screen
We'll have an option for you!
Every year, Perform Australia offers a suite of short courses on evenings and weekends across a range of topics, like acting technique, acting for camera, how to audition, scriptwriting, voiceover artistry and podcasting, stage combat, theatre acting and more.
Most of our courses happen within school terms.
Keep an eye on this page to see what's coming up!
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Ages 16 to adult
Screen Acting
Whether you’re dreaming of acting on TV or in the movies, learning the fundamentals of screen acting is the perfect place to start. In this class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of screen acting through an introduction to the screen environment, practical on-camera skills, and the foundations of working as a screen actor.
Canberra, Term 4 2026
12 October - 30 November
Monday nights
Beginner's acting class, Ages 16 to adult
Acting 101
The perfect acting course for beginners who are curious about acting! You'll be introduced to the fundamentals of acting through a range of drama games, acting activities and... a mini-performance in the last week! You'll learn about what an actor does, how to work with scripts, how to improvise, and much more.
Canberra, Term 4 2026
13 October – 1 December
Available every term.
Past Short Courses
Acting Course
Improv for Actors
You may be familiar with shows like 'Thank God You're Here' or 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' which are built around improvisation techniques. In this course, you'll take some of those techniques and apply them not to improvised theatre, but to the traditional art of acting with scripts.
Canberra, Term 2, 2026
30 April - 18 June
Industry/Careers
Introduction to Podcasting
If you've got a great idea for a podcast, for business or pleasure, this course will get you started. You'll learn the fundamental skills you need - plus all about the gear required. Taught by broadcaster and podcaster Jen Seyderhelm.
Canberra, 6-7 September 2025
Intermediate Acting Course
Character Lab
Deep dive into character in Character Lab - where you'll learn techniques for building realistic, believable characters for stage and screen. A great course for anyone looking to extend themselves as an actor - and a great follow-on to Acting 101 or other actor training programs.
Canberra, Term 3, 24 July to 11 September, 2025
Thursday nights 7pm-9pm
Voiceover Weekend Workshop
Voiceover Artistry
Would you like to know what it means to be a voiceover artist? In this Saturday/Sunday workshop, you'll learn about vocal technique, microphone technique, different types of 'reads', and ways into the industry. Taught by broadcaster and podcaster Jen Seyderhelm.
Canberra, 9-10 August 2025
Industry/Careers
Highway to Hollywood
Join Perform Australia graduate, Rob Shiells, recently back from Los Angeles, for Highway to Hollywood - a workshop on making your way in the US market as an actor. If you've ever been curious about working overseas, come along and find out more.
Canberra, Wednesday 23rd July, 2025
Acting Course
On Screen
Want to learn how to act for film and television? In this amazing introductory course, you'll gain a great understanding of the techniques you need as an actor to succeed in this field.
Canberra, 29 April to 24 June, 2025
Stage combat workshop
Stage Combat Intensive
Fighting, hitting, fainting, dying... it's all part of the illusion of making movies and theatre. In this weekend intensive with Jim Punnett, you'll learn some of the physical feats of stage fighting.
Canberra, 3-4 May, 2025
Script analysis course
The Actor's Process
A lot of actors run on instinct - without any technique to back them up. If you're ready to add technique to your toolkit as an actor, then you need to join 'The Actor's Process'! In this class you'll learn a process you can use every single time you meet a new script.
Canberra, 11 February to 1 April, 2025
Voiceover Weekend Workshop
Voiceover Artistry
Would you like to know what it means to be a voiceover artist? In this Saturday/Sunday workshop, you'll learn about vocal technique, microphone technique, different types of 'reads', and ways into the industry. Taught by broadcaster and podcaster Jen Seyderhelm.
Canberra, 22-23 February 2025
Scriptwriting course
How to write a script
Learn the principles of scriptwriting in this weekend intensive. By the end of the course you'll have learned about script format, character, dialogue, and other important elements of drama. You'll have all the tools you need to write a short play or short film. Taught by playwright Elizabeth Avery Scott.
Canberra, 7-9 February, 2025