Manchester has a long-established acting scene in both theatre and television. The Royal Exchange Theatre, Home, and the Lowry stage a busy roster of productions, from classic plays to cutting-edge new works, while on the television front, Manchester is known as the production base of the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, which has been a staple of British television since 1960. The city has also played a key role in the production of hit series such as Peaky Blinders and Cold Feet.
If you want to join the city’s community of actors, there are numerous classes to help you hone your skills and advance your standing in the industry. Whether you want to focus on acting for television or are keen to get all-round training in theatre, film, and TV, Manchester boasts some of the best part-time courses in the country.
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The adult acting classes provided by ActUpNorth have a strong focus on screen acting and audition techniques. They are Spotlight accredited, which means that if you complete two full consecutive years of study you’ll be eligible to join Spotlight as a member. Classes take place in the city centre, close to Manchester Victoria and Salford Central Stations (ideal for those commuting in), and there are evening and weekend classes available so you can fit them around your schedule. Terms last for 12 to 16 weeks and are divided into three modules, each of which lasts for approximately four weeks.
You can join the course at varying times throughout the year. Most classes are led by a regular tutor, enabling you to build a rapport with someone who can keep a close eye on your progress. Some classes are taught by industry experts, perhaps a local casting director, agent, or director, depending on the module being studied. Among the topics covered are acting for period drama, acting for soaps, advanced audition techniques, and showreel preparation. Past students have landed roles in TV shows including Waterloo Road, Cold Feet, and Happy Valley, and many have also made appearances on Manchester’s aforementioned flagship series, Coronation Street.
Price: Classes are priced at £22 for two hours, with a fee of £88 payable in advance every four weeks (discounts are available for those wishing to pay for the whole term in advance). These aren’t drop-in classes – you’ll need to commit to a minimum of one term.
Established in 1999 by former actor and BBC producer Mark Hudson, the Manchester School of Acting (MSA) offers classes and workshops as an alternative to full-time drama school. MSA offers a range of courses, from beginner to advanced levels. A pre-audition enrollment process allows Hudson and his team to advise on the best course for you. The Foundation & Advanced course, which covers screen acting, method acting, and voice work, is an intensive part-time set of weekly workshops run over two years in six terms, available both in the daytime and evening. You’ll study rehearsal and performance techniques for TV, film, and theatre; audition techniques; self-tape techniques; and career planning. Classes take place in the Deansgate area of central Manchester. Among the actors who’ve studied at the MSA are Warren Brown (Shameless, Hollyoaks) and Michelle Keegan (Coronation Street, Fool Me Once).
Price: For the Foundation & Advanced course, the cost of each four-hour class is £40, paid as £160 every four weeks in advance. Additional classes, workshops, ‘in conversation’ sessions, and meetings with producers, directors, and casting directors are free for those enrolled on this course.
The Actors Lab offers part-time professional acting training in Media City in Salford as well as online. Weekly group classes are taught by a variety of tutors, including theatre directors, TV directors, casting directors, and actors, all of whom offer insight into how the industry works. There isn’t a set curriculum that’s covered, which the school claims allows its tutors to “tailor each individual session to the real opportunities presenting themselves in the industry”. The Actors Lab was set up in 2011 by husband-and-wife actors Sue Jenkins (Coronation Street, Brookside) and David Fleeshman (Boys from the Blackstuff, War Horse), along with their daughter Emily Fleeshman (Still Open All Hours, Moving On). The school has been accredited by Spotlight, which means full membership to Spotlight will be available for all students who complete the full two years of training.
Price: £80 a month, with the first trial class free.
Benefit from the wealth of experience offered by Olivier Award–winning actor, director, and playwright Jim Cartwright at the Cartwright Drama Studio, which offers classes in both Chorley and Manchester. Cartwright founded the studio as a means of helping working-class talent break into the industry. It fills a gap for professional drama training that’s less expensive and time-consuming than earning a degree at a drama school.
The studio provides classes in voice, improvisation, and performance technique, which are complemented by master classes led by industry professionals. Jane Horrocks and Maxine Peake are among those who have led sessions in the past. Admission is by application and all members get access to representation from Cartwright Higgins Management as well as the chance to showcase performances at the Cartwright Palladium. The studio’s alumni have been featured on popular TV shows such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks. Classes are held at multiple locations, including the Methodist Central Building in Manchester and the New Adelphi Theatre in Salford’s Media City. The studio also offers private coaching sessions, catering to actors at different stages of their careers.
Price: £22 for a two-hour class on either a weekend morning or afternoon.
If your sights are set on securing a role on television, then Act4TV in Manchester is a great place to train. Founded in 2009 by casting director Michael Jackson, Act4TV provides training designed to equip students with the necessary skills to excel in a television and film career. The school offers classes most weekdays, so you can find a class that suits you whether you are just starting out or are already a working professional. Classes are kept small, with a maximum of 10 students per session, allowing for personalised feedback and ample practice time in front of the camera. The curriculum covers various aspects of screen acting, including audition techniques and on-set preparedness, along with industry workshops, agent panels, and an annual film festival, providing students with valuable networking opportunities. The course is Spotlight accredited, meaning you can gain access to the casting directory if you train with Act4TV continuously for two years.
Price: Two-hour classes are held once a week and cost £80 for four weeks.