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:

Upskill in a particular area as a performer
Try an acting class for the first time
Explore yourself creatively
Meet new people
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!

Beginner's acting class, age 16-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 3, 2026

21 July – 8 September
Available every term.

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Thursday nights

Moment to Moment Acting

Whether you are acting on stage or for the camera, your performances need to feel fresh, connected, and full of humanity. In this class you will explore some of the principles behind the work of legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner to give you an approach to performance that helps you respond to each moment authentically and bring every script to life.

Canberra, Term 3, 2026

23 July - 10 September

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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

Short Courses In Acting

Past Short Courses

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