acting
FROM OCTOBER TO FEBRUARY
Would you like to discover your creative potential and develop your skills in the performing arts?
Whether you have previous acting experience or not, you are warmly invited to join the acting course and explore your abilities.
actor
An actor is a creative individual with a message who transforms it through themselves into a living event within an artistic (theatrical) space. In doing so, they enable the audience to participate in the performance directly — above all through perception and lived experience.
COURSE INTRODUCTION
The acting course introduces the fundamentals of the craft, collaboration between actor and director, the analysis of dramatic and poetic texts, the performance of monologue and dialogue, and the foundations of role creation. Alongside this, the course opens psychological, perceptual, theoretical, and practical perspectives that support the actor’s work.
The course takes place in a hybrid learning format, combining lectures, workshops, and seminars in an online environment with live guidance from the instructor, alongside mentoring focused on specific creative material.
We learn how to create a coherent role and a compact performance of a poem or monologue within a production or another creative environment. The acting training on the course is based on practical Konstanin Stanislavskiy’s last period’s Active Analysis method, in other words, from the perspective of the human being as a whole, understood as the unity of body and mind (bodymind).* Put differently, the course approaches acting consciously through its somatic dimension, incorporating corresponding practices during the second year of study.
The acting course also draws on practical experience from physical theatre and audio drama, while including Tamur Tohver’s recent approaches emerging from practice-based research into actor–director collaboration.
* Bodymind is an approach that understands the human body and mind as a unified whole. It stands in contrast to the Cartesian traditions of Western mind–body dualism, in which the two are treated as separate and independently functioning entities (Pert, 2002).
COURSE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The course provides thorough knowledge of acting together with concrete practical skills necessary for creating and performing an effective role. Here, you will learn not only how to act, but also how to understand the foundations of theatre-making and develop abilities that are essential within contemporary performance and creative environments. Throughout the course, you will acquire the following skills and knowledge:
Fundamentals of Acting: We explore how to create a convincing and emotionally engaging role through a variety of acting techniques and approaches.
Foundations of Contemporary Theatre: Alongside traditional acting skills, you will gain knowledge of key principles within contemporary theatre. We will also examine the foundations of Stanislavski’s Active Analysis in greater depth.
Performing Poetry and Monologue: You will learn how to perform poetry, monologues, and dialogues creatively and convincingly.
Concentration, Radiation, and Partnership: You will develop skills of contact and relational presence, and learn how to create and sustain a continuous performance flow. We also explore approaches to preventing stage fright and directing focus and attention (second and third year).
Screen and Voice Acting: You will gain knowledge and practical experience in screen acting and voice acting, including radio drama and voice recording techniques (second and third year).
Rehearsal Process and Preparation for Screen / Voice Performance: The course introduces the foundations of actor–director collaboration in theatre, acting for television series, film, and radio drama, as well as voice-over work and dubbing techniques (third year).
The course offers a multifaceted understanding of the art of acting and its application across different creative contexts. Whether your goal is to become a professional actor or director, or simply to develop your own expressive abilities, the course supports your journey into the world of performance.
THE THREE-YEAR FULL PROGRAMME PROVIDES A PREPARation for performance both individually and within an ensemble:
how to find material, identify its message, and discover the super-objective emerging from it;
how to analyse a selected dramatic or poetic text;
how to work within an ensemble, how the actor–director partnership functions, and how collaboration with a scene partner develops;
what is required from the rehearsal process and performance, and what changes when working for screen or microphone;
which personal qualities are essential for an actor.
“I believe this course helps the future actor become a creator of connection and human bridges, so that the awakening of a new quality of life through performance may be meaningful, supported, and capable of opening inspiration for everyone involved — both on stage and in the audience. To create and to live stories. So that the performer is not overcome by confusion — or even fear — in the middle of the rehearsal room. And so that, in difficult moments, they are able to find the thread again and give form to the unspeakable.”
Tamur Tohver
COURSE TOPICS
1. year
2. + 3. year
Stanislavski’s Psychological and Active Analysis:
We continue developing and practising the creative techniques acquired during the previous year through more demanding material.
Concentration and Partnership:
We learn principles of contact and relational presence.
Introduction to Zero Zone Praxis (ZZP):
We explore methods for sustaining performance flow, deepening partnership, radiation, and ensemble collaboration. The course also introduces approaches to preventing stage fright. Introduction to ZZP training (Level I).
Screen and Voice Acting:
We examine both artistic and technical aspects of screen acting and voice acting.
Practical Work:
Seminars and reviews of performances attended. We analyse, rehearse, and present creative material.
During the second and third years of study, a public presentation takes place after the nominal course period (in March/April), depending on the composition and development of the group.
In the second year, this usually takes the form of a poetry evening or another staged composition, while the third year culminates in a full-scale study production.
Practical acting skills also support personal development. Just as creative writing develops analytical thinking, articulation, and storytelling, the acting course teaches you to understand and guide both yourself and others. Acting stimulates inspiration and develops the ability to interpret ideas and express them clearly, while also cultivating tolerance, self-confidence, and clarity of thought.
You do not necessarily have to earn your living through acting — it can equally become a path of self-development and creative enjoyment.
STUDY VOLUME AND PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
COURSE LEADER DR TAMUR TOHVER
Dr Tamur Tohver (PhD, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK) is a theatre director, practice-as-research scholar, and educator working across theatre, film, radio, and intermedial performance environments. Over more than thirty years, he has directed ninety-two productions across theatre, television, radio drama, site-specific performance, and audiovisual work.
He has taught acting, directing, screen acting, and performer training internationally at University of Huddersfield, Staffordshire University, University of Central Florida, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and Tallinn University. At the University of Central Florida, he has also supervised postgraduate students within Theatre MA and Theatre MFA Acting programmes.
Tamur is the developer of Zero Zone Praxis and Cultivating Directing — methodologies exploring psychophysical continuity, relational attention, performing flow, affective space, and actor–director collaboration under pressure. His recent research and publications focus on Stanislavski, screen acting, radiation [izlucheniya], mediated spectatorship, and actor–camera relations within contemporary performance environments.
He has been awarded scholarships and research support from the Archimedes Foundation (2019), the Estonian Ministry of Culture (2020–2023), and the Fulbright Program / US Congress (2021–2022) for the development of new methodologies in actor–director collaboration. He has also received three annual awards from Estonian Public Broadcasting for creative work in radio and the performing arts.
He is actively involved in international theatre and performance research through the International Platform for Performers Training, Theatre and Performance Research Association, and International Federation for Theatre Research, and is a member of the Estonian Theatre Union and the Estonian Directors’ and Dramaturgs’ Union.
how to participate?
Register for the creative entrance assessment, for which no previous specialised theatre education is required. The assessment gives the instructor an understanding of the applicant’s potential and current abilities. All interested participants are welcome, regardless of previous experience.
When applying, please indicate in your application what previous experience you may have and whether you wish to join the first-year course or feel prepared to join the continuing second-year group. This will also form part of the interview discussion and helps create balanced groups.
Participation in the acting course requires a minimum age of 16+. This provides students with a stronger starting point through personal life experience. Before registering for the assessment, please make sure to familiarise yourself with the nature of the programme and its terms.
ADMISSIONS
REGISTREERIMINE: 31. JUULI
Täida allolevast valikust kas JAH, OSALEN 1. AASTAL või JAH, OSALEN 2. AASTAL nupust avanev vorm.
TÄHELEPANU! 2. aastal osalemiseks on vajalik eelnev 1. aasta kursuse läbimine või kutselise näitleja pidev praktika.
LÜHIKE ESSEE VORMIS PÕHJENDUS, MIKS ON NÄITEKUNSTI ÕPE MULLE OLULINE: tähtaeg 20. AUGUST
Essee on kirjalik kokkuvõte, miks soovitakse näitlemist õppida ja milline on eelnev kogemus, mitte rohkem kui 500 sõna.
Essee tuleb saata .doc või .pdf manusena aadressile cultivation[@]claresis.org.
VESTLUS JA NÄITLEJAKATSE (Teamsi veebikõne teel).
Peale kirjaliku essee ja avalduse saamist lepib kool kandidaadiga vestluse aja. Näitlejakatseks palume ette valmistada peast esitamiseks 1 monoloog (1 A4) JA 1 luuletus. Vestluse punktid leiate lehe allosas.
TÄHELEPANU! Vestlused lepitakse kokku vaid essee saatnutega!
KANDIDEERIMISE VASTUSED
Vastavalt kandidaadi soovile on võimalik saada tagasisidet, kuidas oma edasist teatrialast arengut suunata. Seda peale kursusel osalejate kinnitamist. PS. Kool ei kommenteeri oma valikute aluseid, hoides võrdset suhtumist kõigi suhtes.
REGISTREERUMISTASU ENNE ÕPPETÖÖ ALGUST
See on ühe kuu tasu, mis tasaarveldub hiljem kogusummasse, tasutakse lehe allosas “Broneerima” tasuakna kaudu.
ÕPPE ALGUS 4. OKTOOBER, esimesel nädalal.
Konkreetne esimese loengu aeg lepitakse kokku kursuse siseselt.
ÜHE AASTA KURSUSELE ON OODATUD KUNI 10-12 KURSUSLAST
REGISTER HERE FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND THE 1ST-YEAR PROGRAMME
REGISTER HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW AND THE 2ND-YEAR PROGRAMME
SELF-REFLECTION FOR THE INTERVIEW
FIND YOUR ANSWERS AND ARRANGE THEM IN ORDER OF PERSONAL IMPORTANCE.
Do I love theatre within myself, or myself within theatre?
Do I have another outlet for my message besides theatre?
Why do I love theatre?
Do I wish to help society move forward?
Do I enjoy collective and collaborative creation?
Do I have enough persistence, consistency, and endurance?
Am I capable of affirming approaches different from my own?
Do I believe only my own perspective is the best or most correct?
Do I care about those who share the journey with me?
Am I ready to continue developing myself constantly?
tuition fee 760 €
By prior agreement, it is also possible to extend the payment period, although the principle of advance payment still applies.
REGISTER HERE FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND THE 1ST-YEAR PROGRAMME
REGISTER HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW AND THE 2ND-YEAR PROGRAMME
TUITION PAYMENT
Study at Claresis Theatre School is fee-based. Following the creative entrance assessment and interview, applicants are first asked to pay the place reservation fee (via the first payment window: “Place Reservation”).
The course fee must be paid before the beginning of studies, no later than 28 September, either as a single full payment, in two instalments, or as recurring monthly payments (via the “Reservation” window together with the selected payment plan). In the latter two cases, each payment must be made no later than the week preceding the start of the new study period.
For all payment plans, the Reservation Fee must be paid first. This amount is later deducted from the total tuition fee as part of the main payment. Example: when selecting the single-payment option, both the Reservation Fee and the “Single Payment” amount must be paid through their respective payment windows. In the case of monthly payments, the reservation fee must also be paid in advance (it is then counted as the first month’s payment).
Payment by invoice is also possible by prior agreement. (Please note: the financial year changes during the study period.)
Payments are made through a secure payment-plan window (at the bottom of the page). This makes payment convenient, transparent, and easy to track for both parties. All payments are made in advance, as the School is responsible not only to one individual student, but for ensuring equal study conditions for all participants throughout the programme.
For students under the age of 18, Estonian law allows the tuition fee payer (either the student or their parent/legal guardian) to apply for income tax reimbursement.
Before registering for the programme, please make sure to familiarise yourself with the study terms and conditions on these pages.
welcome!
Please use the contact form to let us know about your interests, wishes, or questions regarding the study plans.
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