Actor, Character and Presence with Ariella Eshed (12th Nov)

How can physicality transform character and presence?

This practical, playful workshop explores how the body, imagination and physical expression can unlock character. Drawing on approaches from Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov and Jacques Lecoq, actors will experiment with practical techniques to move beyond habitual choices, discover unexpected possibilities and create more vivid, embodied characters.

Please prepare a short monologue you would like to work with.

Ariella Eshed is a London-based theatre director, acting tutor and workshop leader with over 20 years’ experience. She taught regularly at the Actors Centre from 2002 until its closure and is delighted to return to teach at the New Actors Centre.

She has worked as a visiting director and tutor at Mountview, Italia Conti, East 15 and Drama Studio London, and currently teaches at City Lit, City Academy and London Actors Workshop.

As a director, she has worked at venues including the Lyric Hammersmith, Soho Theatre, Hampstead Theatre and many more.

Her work focuses on physical characterisation, text and imagination, helping actors find greater freedom and presence in performance.

From previous participants:

“An eye-opener to physical characterisation.”

“A fun and invaluable set of tools to discover and develop characters.”

This workshop can be taken on its own or together with Shakespeare Through Physical Characterisation Techniques (PCT).