Certificate in Acting & Performance (Beginner)

UNIT 1: Introduction to Acting & Performance Fundamentals

Theory

1. Introduction to acting and performance
2. Types of acting – Theatre, Film, Television and Digital Media
3. Role and responsibilities of an actor
4. Understanding character and performance
5. Observation and imagination in acting
6. Concentration and presence
7. Body language and physical expression
8. Facial expressions and emotions
9. Stage presence and confidence
10. Professional discipline and actor etiquette

Practical

1. Introduction and self-presentation exercises
2. Concentration and focus exercises
3. Observation exercises
4. Mirror acting exercises
5. Facial expression practice
6. Body-language exercises
7. Emotion recognition and expression
8. Movement and posture exercises
9. Confidence-building activities
10. Simple improvisation exercises

UNIT 2: Voice, Speech & Dialogue Delivery

Theory

1. Importance of voice in acting
2. Voice production and breathing
3. Breath control
4. Voice projection
5. Pitch, tone and volume
6. Voice modulation
7. Pronunciation and articulation
8. Diction and clarity
9. Pauses, rhythm and emphasis
10. Dialogue interpretation
11. Emotional voice expression
12. Basic microphone awareness

Practical

1. Breathing exercises
2. Voice warm-up
3. Vocal projection exercises
4. Pitch and tone exercises
5. Voice modulation practice
6. Tongue twisters and diction exercises
7. Pronunciation practice
8. Reading scripts aloud
9. Dialogue delivery exercises
10. Emotional dialogue practice
11. Monologue practice
12. Recording and reviewing voice performances

UNIT 3: Character Development & Acting Techniques

Theory

1. Understanding character objectives
2. Character background and personality
3. Character motivation
4. Emotional preparation
5. Character relationships
6. Scene objectives and conflicts
7. Basic acting techniques
8. Listening and reacting
9. Subtext and emotional intention
10. Character transformation
11. Improvisation fundamentals
12. Maintaining character continuity

Practical

1. Character observation exercises
2. Creating a character profile
3. Character walk and body language
4. Developing character voice
5. Emotion-based acting exercises
6. Partner scene practice
7. Listening and reaction exercises
8. Improvisation games
9. Situation-based improvisation
10. Monologue performance
11. Character-based scene performance
12. Recording and reviewing performances

UNIT 4: Stage Acting & Camera Acting

Theory

1. Differences between stage and screen acting
2. Stage presence and audience awareness
3. Blocking and movement
4. Understanding stage directions
5. Camera awareness
6. Shot sizes and actor performance
7. Eye-line and continuity
8. Marking and hitting the mark
9. Acting for close-up
10. Acting for medium and wide shots
11. Naturalistic performance
12. Basic audition techniques

Practical

Stage Acting

1. Stage movement exercises
2. Blocking a simple scene
3. Projection practice
4. Group scene performance
5. Theatre improvisation
6. Short stage-scene performance

Camera Acting

1. Camera awareness exercises
2. Performing for a wide shot
3. Performing for a medium shot
4. Close-up acting
5. Eye-line practice
6. Hitting camera marks
7. Continuity practice
8. Performing a short film scene

UNIT 5: Professional Acting, Audition & Final Performance

Theory

1. Professional actor preparation
2. Audition fundamentals
3. Audition etiquette
4. Self-introduction and actor profile
5. Monologue selection
6. Script reading for auditions
7. Casting process basics
8. Working with directors and production teams
9. Professional communication
10. Performance discipline
11. Portfolio and showreel basics
12. Career opportunities in acting
13. Professional ethics and workplace behaviour

Practical

1. Actor self-introduction
2. Preparing an audition monologue
3. Script reading
4. Cold-reading practice
5. Audition simulation
6. Character audition
7. Improvisation audition
8. Dialogue scene audition
9. Camera audition/self-tape
10. Short-film scene performance
11. Portfolio photo and video preparation
12. Creating a basic acting showreel
13. Final performance presentation

3-Month Course Progression

MONTH 1 – Acting Fundamentals

Unit 1: Introduction to Acting & Performance

Unit 2: Voice, Speech & Dialogue Delivery

Students learn:

• Acting basics
• Observation
• Concentration
• Facial expressions
• Body language
• Breathing
• Voice projection
• Voice modulation
• Pronunciation
• Dialogue delivery

Practical Project: Perform a short monologue demonstrating expressions, body language and voice modulation.

MONTH 2 – Character & Performance

Unit 3: Character Development & Acting Techniques

Unit 4: Stage Acting & Camera Acting

Students learn:

• Character development
• Motivation
• Emotional expression
• Improvisation
• Scene work
• Stage performance
• Camera acting
• Close-up performance
• Eye-line
• Continuity

Practical Project: Perform one stage scene and one camera-based scene.

MONTH 3 – Audition & Professional Acting

Unit 5: Professional Acting, Audition & Final Performance

Students learn:

• Audition preparation
• Monologues
• Cold reading
• Self-tapes
• Casting basics
• Professional communication
• Portfolio development
• Showreel creation

Practical Project: Complete a mock audition + short film scene + final monologue performance.

Final Practical Assessment

Students should demonstrate:

Preparation → Character Analysis → Voice Warm-Up → Physical Warm-Up → Script Interpretation → Character Development → Rehearsal → Performance → Camera/Stage Presentation

Final Assessment Includes

Theory Examination

• Acting fundamentals
• Voice and speech
• Character development
• Acting techniques
• Stage and camera acting
• Audition fundamentals

Practical Examination

1. Monologue performance
2. Dialogue scene
3. Emotional acting exercise
4. Improvisation
5. Camera audition/self-tape
6. Stage performance
7. Character portrayal

Final Project

Students create a 3–5 minute acting performance or short-film scene, demonstrating:

Character Development → Rehearsal → Dialogue Delivery → Expressions → Body Language → Camera Acting → Scene Performance → Final Recording

Beginner Acting Portfolio

Students can complete:

• 2 monologues
• 2 dialogue scenes
• 1 emotional performance
• 1 improvisation exercise
• 1 camera audition/self-tape
• Final performance video
• Basic acting showreel