The Actor Works was initially created as a ‘rescue package' for students of Whitechapel's Academy Drama School, which had closed suddenly following the death of its head, Tim Reynolds. The new school's founder, Daniel Brennan, soon decided to establish The Actor Works in its own right, developing a system of training based on the work of American theatre practitioner, Viola Spolin.

Spolin was regarded as ‘the grandmother of American theatre', having founded Р with her son, Paul Sills – Second City in Chicago and Story Theatre in Los Angeles, as well as formulating her Theatre Games theory. Daniel trained in the US with her family and former colleagues and aims to bring her common-sense approach to actor training to prominence in the UK. Of paramount importance is the establishing a true sense of company: a trust in oneself and other players, which creates a safe, non-competitive space in which to be free of the fear of disapproval and, indeed, the desire for approval. It is in this environment that students go beyond intellectual knowing, towards involving the entire body and being into the processes of actor training.

Aside from the Spolin training, classes include Text Study, Improvisation, Voice, Speech, Movement, Dance, Singing, Screen Acting and Stage Combat, as well as rehearsals for end of term productions, which are held either in the school's studio, or at The Brockley Jack and Old Red Lion Theatres.

Following the success of last year's summer programme, The Actor Works will again be running its FREE three-evening course in July. It offers a comprehensive sample of the school's syllabus, whilst giving participants a true taste of its ‘company' ethos. The course is also used as an audition for those who may wish to commence full time training, as places on our courses may be offered at the end of the course.

More info: www.theactorworks.co.uk or telephone 020 7702 0909