ACT for ACTING Workshops at Manchester School of Theatre

The Working Action Group is excited to announce that in June we will be running free ACT for Acting workshops for graduates and final year students at Manchester School of Theatre.
 
The graduate workshop will run 6th-8th June, with workshops for final year students taking place the following week.
 
We can’t wait to share this work with a new generation of artists as we continue our mission to shape the future of actor training.
 
The workshops will be led by Dr. Benjamin Askew, director of The Working Action Group and the originator of the ACT for Acting project. Formerly a professional actor, with experience in the West End and with companies including Shakespeare’s Globe and Manchester Royal Exchange, Ben led the teaching of Theatre Analysis at Drama Centre for over six years, whilst also teaching acting, movement psychology and audition technique, and directing various projects. Now based in the north, he has directed several rehearsal projects at MST over the past two years and has recently been a guest practitioner at schools including LAMDA and the Oxford School of Drama. He received his PhD in 2017 and continues to develop his practice-led research through the projects and activities of The Working Action Group.  
 
Graduates who want to participate should get in touch to register their interest and secure a place. You can do that via the Contact page or by emailing [email protected]
 
 
What is ACT for Acting?
 
ACT for Acting is a pioneering new acting methodology that seeks to refresh and revitalise psychological approaches to character and put empathy, self-discovery and care for well-being at the heart of the creative process.
 
It does this by exploring a contemporary form of behavioural psychology called ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Training, the aim of which is the development of psychological flexibility: the ability to “open up, be present and do what matters”.
 
Drawing on this model, ACT for Acting provides psychological skills-training for the actor, a new, twenty-first century approach to character analysis, and innovative techniques to invigorate rehearsal practice.
 
You can read more about ACT and the ACT for Acting project here: About - THE WORKING ACTION GROUP
 
 
The 3-Day Graduate Workshop
 
This intensive introduction to the ACT for Acting work is being offered exclusively to MST graduates and will run 10.00-17.00, Monday 6th – Wednesday 8th June 2022.
 
Over the course of the three days, you will explore all three ‘ACTS’ of the ACT for Acting project: People, Plays and Process.
 
You will begin to develop your own ACT Toolkit, learning skills and exercises that can help you, not only to “open up, be present and do what matters” in your work, but to find meaning, connection and a deeper sense of purpose as you navigate the challenges of a career in this industry.
 
You will discover innovative, accessible techniques for interpreting character that reflect a twenty-first century understanding of human psychology and behaviour. These tools can supplement your existing training and support you in developing empathic and insightful readings of characters and their actions.
 
Finally, you will explore the application of these principles through character exercises and rehearsal practice, using classical and contemporary speeches as the springboard for this process.    
 
By taking part in the workshop, you will not only be developing your own craft, you will be contributing to the wider development of this project, which we believe has the potential to make a meaningful difference to the future of actor training. Moreover, having gained a foundational understanding of the ACT for Acting process, you will have the opportunity to continue your journey in this work by getting involved in future workshops and projects run by The Working Action Group.
 
To find out more or to reserve your place, please email [email protected] or use the contact form on the website.
 
Participation is FREE but places may be limited to ensure that everyone has the time and opportunity to explore and experience this work.
 
We hope that you can join us.
 
 
Can’t commit to three days?
 
This graduate workshop is intended as an intensive three-day introduction. However, we are aware that for some people attendance over three days might be difficult. If you’d like to get involved but can’t commit to the full length of this workshop, please get in touch and we’ll see what we can do to accommodate you or to offer an alternative introduction to the project.
 
 
Want to know what other people have been saying?
 
Here are some comments from participants in previous ACT for Acting courses and workshops:
 
“Transformational, both personally and professionally”
 
“Incredibly exciting stuff, and incredibly accessible”
 
“It opened up the whole of the character’s world to me!”
 
“Such a fulfilling way to approach acting”
 
“The work feels so exciting and fresh and juicy”
 
“Adds enormous value to the actor’s toolkit”
 
“Exactly what is needed right now”
 
And you can read even more comments here:  Testimonials - THE WORKING ACTION GROUP
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