A charity is urging those with aspirations to tread the boards to sign up to its new intensive acting class.

Walk Tall is running a year-long part-time acting course, over three terms, with its repertory company.

Through a series of workshops people will be offered the chance train with professionals and hone their skills.

Walk Tall is a charity in Northfleet which uses art to help young people express themselves.

The Messenger’s charity of the year, it also has an extensive counselling programme for those who need someone to listen and talk to.

To earn enough to keep afloat, the charity often uses its professionals to bring in funding, whether it is by putting on their own original shows – written and directed by Robbie Humphries, a child star of the Milkybar Kid adverts – or holding classes.

At a charity like Walk Tall, that covers so many different areas, money often goes out as soon as it comes in and the year-long course is seen as a way for the organisation to stay self-sufficient.

Founder Ann Duke said the course was a perfect way for actors to get a kick-start to their career.

She said: “On the course they’ve got the chance to become part of a working repertory theatre company. This is an ideal first step into the industry.”

Ms Duke said that finding grants and funding for specific areas can be difficult but if the charity becomes self-sufficient they have the freedom to spend on whatever they want.

The charity’s repertory company is now touring with a production written and directed by Mr Humphries called 1914 OUTBREAK, a musical piece that documents important events in the run-up to the First World War.

Mr Humphries, who will be running the course, said it could be very beneficial for young actors.

He said: “It’s a proper course and is actually about training the actors ready for performance. It’s mainly the building of skills rather than just a series of workshops which is similar to what we have done in the past.

“If you want to get into the business of acting you need to train.

“It’s useful in the sense that not only are you getting a training session, you will also be joining a company, because performing is an important part of the process.”

A free open session of the course is available from 7pm to 9pm on Thursday, September 4 and at 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday, September 6.

The price of the course is £330 per term.

For information or to book your place call 0845 270 8130 or email info@walk-tall.org.uk.