About Acting Masterclass for Adults
You've watched a Watermill Production or two, and now it's your chance to have a turn. Work with industry professionals to explore and hone your performance skills with these four bespoke Adult Masterclasses focussing on: accents, movement, improvisation and actor-musicianship.
Accents: James Aitken
James most recently worked as the dialect coach for The King's Speech at the Watermill. This session will focus on methods to improve accent techniques and develop confidence to try new accents, all in a supportive and fun environment.
Movement: Anjali Mehra
Anjali has worked as Choreographer on several Watermill productions including Jesus Christ Superstar and The Lord of the Rings. During this session, Anjali will explore the role of movement within performance, and how we can use our bodies and physicality as an essential part of an acting toolkit.
Improvisation: Stephen Rahman-Hughes
Stephen most recently appeared in the Watermill’s production of The King’s Speech, playing the role of David. This session will be full of fun drama-based improvisation exercises, giving participants the opportunity to explore this key skill for live theatre - the ability to ‘make it up as you go’.
Actor-Musician: Ben Barrow
Ben is a trained actor-musician who regularly works as a Musical Supervisor, Musical Director, Composer and Arranger. His credits include Footloose (UK and
International Tour), Dick Whittington (Corn Exchange Newbury), and The Importance of Being Earnest (Mercury Theatre Colchester). In this session, Ben will focus on the basics of being involved in an actor-musician ensemble: how collaboration is different in actor-musician rooms than it may be elsewhere, and the exciting rehearsal/performance processes actor-musician productions can bring.
These sessions are suitable for all levels from keen beginners to professionals.
General FAQs
Is there any level of skill or experience required?
Unless specified, none of our courses or sessions require any prior knowledge or experience, and are welcome to all, from beginners to experts.
What will the course include?
The content of our sessions can differ widely. We emphasise our participants having fun, developing confidence, and learning the skills involved in performing theatre, as well as specialised skills on our more specific courses. Our weekly sessions will likely focus on a different aspect of theatre each term and may sometimes have a small-scale end of term performance. Our week-long courses will often end in a showing/performance of some kind.
I haven’t received any information since booking, is this a problem?
You should receive a confirmation email after booking the course, if you do not have this, please contact the Box Office by calling 01635 46044 or email boxoffice@watermill.org.uk. You will then receive more thorough information from the Outreach team in the days before the course starting.
What do I need to bring with me?
Please wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in and will keep you covered during physical activity. Bring along a water bottle with you. You may also want to bring something to take notes with. If you have any medication you may need to take, please bring it in a clearly labelled bag and ensure we are aware by completing our Outreach booking form.
Where will the course take place?
Most of our sessions and courses take place on-site in our rehearsal room at the Watermill Theatre. Our studio is the door with white to the far right of the car park. There some signs pointing towards it around the car park. Some sessions and courses may take place elsewhere, but this will be specified in your welcome email.
Who will be running the sessions/course?
Our Get Involved activities are run by a variety of professional theatre makers. This varies from freelance facilitators to members of the production crew or cast of our productions. All will have great experience and expertise in the content of the sessions and will be familiar with the Watermill’s safeguarding policies.
