The five-day course deals with an uncluttered approach to acting that simplifies what is often a confused and over complicated route to ‘truthful’ acting.
The course is run by Director, Published Playwright and Author, Kirk Foster (scroll down for more information).
In an average class of 12 actors, those attending will be subject to lectures and classes that will help to simplify the process of acting: working as individuals and within groups. The course culminates with the presentation of short scenes that will be reviewed at the end of the four days. The whole group are present at all times, so that the learning experience proves more rapid, through observation as well as participation.
Those attending are given a speech and a two-hander scene as ‘theatrical vehicles’ to use throughout the course.
The course deals with the basics of acting and will prove an invaluable foundation and platform going forward.
Applicants must be aged 21 and over and have some basic acting experience. Not necessarily professional.
The object of the course is to enable the applicants to have more of an impact in any audition process, by dragging the panel into a more believable and more genuine performance.
The five-day course runs Monday to Friday, 5 hours each day from 10.30am to 4.30pm, with a one-hour working lunch from 1.00pm to 2.00pm. Tea and coffee are available free of charge all through the day.
The course fee: £550 for the week.
Proposed forthcoming dates:
October 2026 – 12th – 16th
February 2027 – 8th – 12th
April 2027 – 19th – 23rd
June 2027 – 7th – 11th
If you are interested in enrolling, or would like more information, please contact us by email at info@markettheatre.co.uk Or you can call us on 01462 437817.
KIRK FOSTER
Theatre Director, Published Playwright & Author
Kirk started his theatrical career when he was 15. During his teens, he attended the Bancroft Players Youth Group, and began directing senior productions at the age of 23. He formed his first theatre company at the age of 21.
At the age of 26, he was the main director of the drama department at North Hertfordshire College, Hitchin, with responsibility for successfully putting forward hundreds of young performers into national Drama Schools.
In 1989, he co-founded, with the playwright John Gardiner, HTS, an international drama school; becoming the principal in 2001. Students of HTS graduated at the Fortune Theatre London, from a three year, and one year post grad, Acting and Musical Theatre course.
In 1996, Kirk founded the Market Theatre, a small professional theatre in Hitchin; writing and directing over 200 plays for the company. The company has become infamous nationally for its unique style of Adult Panto, touring each year to 30 plus major theatres around the UK, from Glasgow to Eastbourne and from Cardiff to Southend. A planned second annual tour is programmed to start in 2028.
For the past 40 years, Kirk has continued to direct professionally, giving hundreds of young actors their first paid engagement in live theatre. The information he imparts and his style of teaching has been forged from his extensive experience, gained through working with enthusiastic young actors starting out on their professional careers. His background of preparing students for the profession and his more recent role as an employer at the Market Theatre, gives him an ideal perspective on what actors are lacking, and what is needed for them to impress at auditions and in performance.
REVIEWS
‘These classes would be so beneficial for young actors starting out or mature actors returning to the business after years of not being able to sustain a living in the acting world through raising a family etc
Kirk Foster is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered in my entire career as a professional actress. He taught me before attending Drama School at 17 years old and for many years after and provides the discipline and knowledge in order to sustain a career in a very challenging environment.
His mantra of “cue in fast and take your time over your lines whilst listening to what’s being said to you” has been the best advice I have ever received and set me up for many years within a very challenging world.
I cannot recommend his teaching methods more and feel very lucky to have had his input in my extensive acting career. Aspiring actors would be very lucky indeed to attend his classes.’
Jacqueline Roberts
Actress
“I have had the pleasure of working alongside Kirk Foster as my director, and I can honestly say that he is a genius at what he does.
The art of “truthful acting” is truly mastered when working alongside Mr Foster. He has an incredible ability to help you find honesty and authenticity within your performance, making everything you do feel believable — not only to an audience, but to yourself as the performer.
Kirk teaches you that you have to believe it to be it. His guidance pushes you to dig deeper, connect with your character and trust the choices you are making.
If you are looking to develop your craft and learn the true art of truthful acting, Kirk Foster is absolutely your guy. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough!”
Kayleigh Dianna
Actress, Singer & Dancer
‘I can’t recommend these weekly acting classes enough. Having had the pleasure of working with Kirk and the Market Theatre, both as a director and a friend, I’ve seen first-hand how supportive, caring and encouraging he is. His approach to acting is natural, truthful and completely character led. He has a wonderful ability to help you understand a character, a scene and the world of a play, and then bring it all to life in a way that feels unique and authentic to you.
What I particularly love is his understanding of both TV and theatre. He helps you recognise the subtle differences between the two and gives you the confidence and tools to switch between styles, while always keeping the performance truthful and grounded.
He creates a safe, positive environment where you can explore, take risks and grow as an actor without ever feeling judged. His passion for the craft really shines through, and he genuinely wants to see people develop and find their own voice.
If you’re looking to build confidence, deepen your acting and learn how to create real, believable characters for both stage and screen, I would highly recommend joining his Course. You’ll learn a lot, be challenged in all the right ways, and most importantly, have fun bringing characters and stories to life.
Lindsay Harding
West End/Theatre and number one Touring Credits
Director/Principal of a children’s Performing Arts School
“Kirk encourages the actor to release themself of the restrictions of any pre-planned choices, and to root their performance in realism. He coaches the actor to find truth and naturalism in delivery, rather than to demonstrate, leading to more powerful and engaging storytelling. “
Tina Baston
Actress
‘I’ve always found Kirk’s approach to working with actors incredibly valuable. He has a great ability to look at a scene from a different perspective and help you find something deeper and more truthful in your performance. His direction encourages you to take risks, make bold choices and really understand what you’re doing rather than simply ‘acting’ the scene. I think these workshops would be hugely beneficial to actors at any stage, particularly anyone wanting to build confidence, develop their craft and gain a better understanding of how a director works with an actor.’
Sean Dodds
Actor